HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 402
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Thompson, and Delegate Armstead
)
[By Request of the Executive]
[Introduced November 19, 2009]
Expressing the will of the House of Delegates to continue its
support of the West Virginia coal industry and requesting
that West Virginia's congressional delegation resist and
oppose efforts to undermine the future of West Virginia coal.
Whereas, The coal industry provides salaries and benefits to
thousands of West Virginians; and
Whereas, The coal industry is responsible for millions of
dollars of tax revenues that are used to fund important government
services and programs; and
Whereas, The coal industry is vitally important to the economic
welfare of this State and its citizens; and
Whereas, The Legislature, with the leadership and support of
the Governor, has worked to enact legislation to ensure the future
of West Virginia coal, including the adoption of sweeping coal mine
safety reforms, planning requirements for post-mining land use, an
alternative and renewable energy portfolio featuring clean coal
technology, and a regulatory framework for carbon capture and
sequestration projects; and
Whereas, Recent events at the federal level, most notably the debate over "cap and trade" legislation in Congress and obscure
regulatory actions by the Environmental Protection Agency, are
casting a shadow of doubt and uncertainty over the future of the
coal industry in West Virginia; and
Whereas, For the sake of those individuals who depend upon coal
to support themselves and their families, the House of Delegates,
the Senate, the Governor and West Virginia's congressional
delegation must work together to secure the future of the coal
industry, and with it the future of the State; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the West Virginia House of Delegates will continue to
support the West Virginia coal industry by encouraging measures
that protect miners and their families, provide incentives for the
development of advanced coal technologies, enhance the energy
independence of the State and the nation, protect the environment
from which coal is mined, and supply consumers with cleaner and
more affordable energy produced from coal; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia House of Delegates
requests that West Virginia's congressional delegation resist and
oppose efforts at the federal level to undermine the future of West
Virginia's coal industry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to United States
Senators Robert C. Byrd and John D. Rockefeller IV and Representatives Nick J. Rahall, Alan B. Mollohan and Shelley M.
Capito.