HCR 87 Text

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 87

(By Delegates Kominar, Craig, Barker, Butcher, Fleischauer, Guthrie, Klempa, Manypenny, Marshall, Paxton, Walker, D., Blair, Hamilton, Miller, C., and Shott )

(Originating in the Committee Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business)

(March 4, 2010)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the issues relating to the environmental benefits and economic impact of renewable energy utilization and the creation of a West Virginia Renewable Energy Act or similar policy.

WHEREAS, Renewable energy is defined as energy that is generated from naturally occurring processes and resources which are theoretically inexhaustible ; and
WHEREAS, Such processes and resources include wind power, hydro power, solar energy, Biofuel, and geothermal energy; and
WHEREAS, These forms of renewable energy can generate electricity, liquid fuel for internal combustion engines, and heating and cooling for homes, offices, and industrial applications; and
WHEREAS, The generating of energy from renewable resources eases the stress put on conventional energy sources as our society becomes more and more energy dependant; and
WHEREAS, Wind and hydro power consists of harnessing the power of the wind and flowing water currents respectively to rotate turbines to generate electricity or mechanical energy for various processes; and
WHEREAS, Solar energy uses absorption of heat and light from the sun to charge photovoltaic cells or heat engines to generate electricity or heat; and
WHEREAS, Biofuels are liquid or gas fuels made from plants and solid or liquid waste to make fuel for internal combustion engines used in vehicles or industrial processes; and
WHEREAS, Geothermal energy is generated from geothermic heat found within the layers of the Earth and used for heating and generating electricity; and
WHEREAS, As the technology needed to generate renewable energy becomes more efficient and advanced, production and use has increased steadily within the last two decades; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, costs of certain forms of renewable energy have become comparable to current conventional energy sources; and
WHEREAS, Although renewable energy has its benefits, there are environmental, infrastructure, and economic issues that prevent all forms of renewable energy from becoming more widespread; and
WHEREAS, The environmental impacts of renewable energy may be less offensive from conventional energy forms, the topography and surface area required for adequate energy generation is large and dependant upon climate conditions; and
WHEREAS, The upgrading of current energy infrastructure to incorporate the needs of renewable energy may exceed the cost benefit of renewable energy production; and
WHEREAS , As current conventional energy sources become exhausted, the Legislature should study and consider legislation and other measures aimed at the issues concerning implementation of renewable energy and potential fiscal policies to encourage its use; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the issues relating to the environmental benefits and economic impact of renewable energy utilization and the creation of a West Virginia Renewable Energy Act or similar policy; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, two thousand eleven, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

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