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Introduced Version Senate Concurrent Resolution 65 History

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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 65

(By Senators Jenkins, Palumbo, McCabe, Foster, Wells, Unger, Yost, Kessler, Plymale and Stollings)




Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the different types and funding methods of renewable energy technology funds operated by other states and the feasibility and viability of establishing a state dedicated fund to promote renewable energy technologies in West Virginia, and to consider and evaluate different methods of funding a renewable energy technology fund in West Virginia.

Whereas, West Virginia is one of the largest energy producers and exporters in the United States, a state which, in addition to fossil fuel reserves, has a vast amount of renewable energy resources that, if effectively captured and developed, is capable of creating greater opportunities and substantial wealth in West Virginia's energy economy; and

Whereas, Twenty states, including the neighboring states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio, have dedicated funds to promote renewable energy technologies; and

Whereas, Through 2006, state-level initiatives have resulted in over three hundred large-scale renewable energy installations, totaling over three thousand five hundred megawatts, while also
providing incentives to residential and small business customers for installations of tens of thousands of small-scale renewable energy generation technologies, including, for example, to over four thousand solar installations in New Jersey alone; and
Whereas, West Virginia's economy could benefit from joining other states that are supporting renewable energy projects by establishing a dedicated, long-term funding source; and

Whereas, West Virginia currently lacks comprehensive strategies and mechanisms to attract, leverage, and administer resources and financing renewable energy development; and

Whereas, There currently exists limited infrastructure and collective knowledge to harness West Virginia's untapped renewable energy resources in wind, biomass, hydropower, solar, biofuels and other renewable energy resources; and

Whereas, There are preexisting, but dormant, industrial assets in West Virginia that could be profitably utilized by the wind industry manufacturing sector, as has been accomplished in neighboring Pennsylvania; and

Whereas, West Virginia, with the third highest wind capacity in the eastern United States, has a potential three thousand megawatts of available wind power, the fastest growing segment of electricity generation in the country, under a federal goal of increasing wind generation eightfold over the next twenty years; and

Whereas, West Virginia has nearly four million tons of timber
industry residue readily available each year for energy usage that could make, at a minimum, seven hundred megawatts each year, but we lack comprehensive plans and incentives to utilize that renewable resource that would increase economic growth and timber and energy sector jobs; and
Whereas, West Virginia has at least one thousand megawatts of additional hydropower available, but no comprehensive plan to exploit that resource in a way that maximizes economic growth and energy sector jobs; and

Whereas, West Virginia already has a state mandate under its Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard to produce twenty-five percent of its energy from alternative and renewable sources, thereby expanding and creating renewable energy capacity in the state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the different types and funding methods of renewable energy technology funds operated by other states and the feasibility and viability of establishing a state dedicated fund to promote renewable energy technologies in West Virginia, and to consider and evaluate different methods of funding a renewable energy technology fund in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary 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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