HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 106

(By Delegate Howell)

(Originating in the Select Committee on Tourism and Economic Diversification)

[Introduced March 10, 2022]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study economic policy strategies and incentives for building Intrastate pipelines from the gas fields (likely propane) and from the Ohio River to transport oil and gas products to the far eastern panhandle of the state of West Virginia within close proximity to interstate highway corridors.

Whereas, federal regulation and activist litigation has stymied the completion of interstate oil and gas pipelines in the mid-Atlantic region; and

Whereas, oil refineries could be located along the Ohio River and/or Kanawha River and serve as the production hubs for transporting, via intrastate pipelines, oil and gas products to ground transport distribution hubs in the far eastern panhandle of the state of West Virginia for shipping gasoline or diesel to regional cities such as Richmond, Philadelphia, Baltimore and the District of Columbia by truck; and

Whereas, propane from the gas fields could likewise by shipped via intrastate pipelines to the same area for ground transport distribution as well; and

Whereas, intrastate pipelines would be exempt from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) regulation because intrastate pipelines would all be within the borders of West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study economic policy strategies and incentives for building Intrastate pipelines from the gas fields (likely propane) and from the Ohio River to the far eastern panhandle of the state of West Virginia within close proximity to interstate highway corridors to ground transport distribution hubs in the far eastern panhandle of the state of West Virginia for shipping propane, other natural gas products, gasoline or diesel to regional cities such as Richmond, Philadelphia, Baltimore and the District of Columbia by truck; and, be it

 Further Resolved, That the Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to research the feasibility of revisions to state law that could help facilitate economic policy strategies and incentives for building Intrastate pipelines from the gas fields (likely propane) and from the Ohio River to the far eastern panhandle of the state of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2023 regular session of the Legislature, the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report 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 a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.