HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 124

(By Delegates Hanshaw and Shott)

[Introduced April 6, 2017]

Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the requirement that any power generation facility obtain a siting certificate from the State Public Service Commission and review the current regulatory oversite of siting power generation and transmission facilities in the state.

Whereas, West Virginia is rich in natural resources, such as coal and natural gas, important to affordable power generation; and

Whereas, West Virginia hopes to attract a diversified energy portfolio that includes investment in fossil fuels power generation and renewable energy sources; and

Whereas, West Virginia is strategically located to capitalize on power generation investment to be exported and sold into the PJM Regional Transmission Organization; and

Whereas, West Virginia potentially stands to generate added revenue and employment growth from power generation and electric transmission investment in the state; and

Whereas, The current regulatory oversite of new and existing power generation facilities poses potential delays in the siting of new electric power facilities and transmission infrastructure; and

Whereas, The Joint Committee on Government and Finance shall assist in this study; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to study the existing requirement that any power generation facility obtain a siting certificate from the State Public Service Commission, and review commission oversite of the siting of electric transmission infrastructure; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance should study the potential economic and employment benefits of growth in power generation and transmission infrastructure to the state; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, in 2018, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with any 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.