HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 56
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss and Delegates Michael,
Amores, Anderson, Ashley, Azinger, Beach, Beane, Blair, Border,
Brown, Butcher, Calvert, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Caputo,
Caruth, Crosier, DeLong, Duke, Evans, Faircloth, Ferrell,
Fleischauer, Fragale, Frederick, Frich, Hamilton, Hartman,
Hatfield, Houston, Hrutkay, Kominar, Kuhn, Leach, Leggett, Long,
Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Manuel, Mezzatesta, Michael, Morgan,
Palumbo, Paxton, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, Proudfoot, Romine,
Schadler, Schoen, Shaver, Shelton, Smirl, Sobonya, Spencer,
Staton, Stemple, Susman, Swartzmiller, Tabb, Talbott, Tucker,
Varner, Wakim, Walters, Warner, Webb, H. White, Williams, Wright,
Yeager and Yost)
Requesting the Public Service Commission to study the current
problems associated with the delivery of water and sewer
service, and to study the feasibility of delivering water and
sewer services by customer owned cooperatives.
Whereas, A significant number of West Virginia citizens remain
without adequate water or sewage facilities; and
Whereas, Water and sewer services are presently provided by
public service districts, municipalities and privately owned
companies; and
Whereas, The availability of public funding operated entities,
namely municipalities and public service districts, are limited and
the demand exceeds available funds; and
Whereas, The rates of private water systems have risen
significantly in West Virginia where a significant portion of our
citizens are on fixed or limited income; and
Whereas, The creation of privately owned water and sewer cooperatives may provide the public with safe, high quality
drinking water at affordable costs; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests that the Public Service
Commission study the current problems associated with the delivery
of water and sewer service, and to study the feasibility of
delivering water and sewer services by customer owned cooperatives;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby requests the
Public Service Commission to study this issue in a manner it
considers appropriate; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Public Service Commission shall
report back to the Legislature no later than the first day of the
regular session in 2005 as to the findings of the Public Service
Commission together with any recommendations that it may have
concerning legislation.