HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 113
(By Delegates Fleischauer, Higgins, Azinger, Beach, Brown,
Burdiss, Craig, Crosier, Doyle, Eldridge, Ellis, Evans, Guthrie,
Hutchins, Iaquinta, Klempa, Long, Longstreth, Manchin, Marshall,
Miley, Morgan, Moye, Palumbo, Paxton, Pino, D. Poling, M. Poling,
Rodighiero, Romine, Rowan, Schoen, Shook, Spencer, Staggers,
Stephens and Wells)
Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance
authorize a study of the impact of climate change on the State
of West Virginia and the health, safety and welfare of state
residents, and create a plan to mitigate the negative effects
thereof.
Whereas, The Earth's temperature has increased by one degree
over the last century; and
Whereas, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said
with ninety percent certainty that this warming is caused by human
activity; and
Whereas, Sea level is already rising by approximately two
millimeters per year; and
Whereas, Global warming causes damage of many kinds: wildfires,
droughts, flooding and more destructive hurricanes; and
Whereas, If unchecked, global warming will create or worsen
natural disasters within the state; and
Whereas, Climate change emissions can be reduced significantly
through implementation of renewable energy technologies, increases
in energy efficiency and such practices as time of use metering and peak pricing; and
Whereas, Coal is an important natural resource for the State of
West Virginia and contributing to incoming revenue and jobs as well
as carbon emissions; and
Whereas, Federal regulation of carbon emissions is a virtual
certainty, and this will increase the price of coal-derived
electricity; and
Whereas, Renewable energy technologies represent significant
potential for creation of new jobs; and
Whereas, Motor vehicles are a major source of pollution in West
Virginia and contribute to greenhouse gases that cause worldwide
climate change; and
Whereas, Technology can significantly reduce dangerous
emissions from motor vehicles; and
Whereas, Vehicles registration fees are calculated annually
according to their estimated value; and
Whereas, Vehicles with higher gas mileage have a significantly
lower emission of greenhouse gasses; and
Whereas, Government policies can be used to curtail certain
acts deemed harmful to society; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study and develop a plan to mitigate negative effects
of climate change, address economic impacts, help save lives, protect public health, preserve natural resources and protect
valuable infrastructure; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance is hereby requested to study renewable portfolio standards;
and feed-in tariffs; and basing vehicle registration fees on the
vehicles fuel economy rather than its value; and stringent fuel
efficiency standards for state vehicles; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2009, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative 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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