HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 162

(By Delegate Manypenny)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the feasibility of an energy efficiency resource standard for West Virginia, including the potential benefits of energy efficiency in mitigating fuel price volatility and the need for new electricity generation, and to produce recommendations on feasible targets for energy savings, how such a program would be administered, and potential funding mechanisms.

    Whereas, Appalachian Power Company received a $125 million rate increase in 2009, a $96 million rate increase in 2010, and is filing for a $1l9 million rate increase in 2011; and

    Whereas, Appalachian Power Company’s rate increases have been primarily due to rising fuel and purchased power costs; and

    Whereas, A 2009 study by the Appalachian Regional Commission found that ambitious energy efficiency policies could reduce energy consumption in the region l2% by 2020 and 28% by 2030, and that these policies would create more than 15,000 net new jobs per year within five years and an average of 60,000 net new jobs created per year from 2020 - 2030; and

    Whereas, As of 2008, West Virginia had the second lowest electricity rates in the nation, but residents in eighteen other states spent less than West Virginians per capita on their electricity bills, implying significant potential for West Virginians to save money through residential energy efficiency measures; and

    Whereas, Energy efficiency is a low-cost strategy for meeting power demand, less expensive than building new conventional or renewable energy power plants; and

    Whereas, American Electric Power and First Energy, the largest electric utilities in West Virginia, are required to offer energy efficiency programs in other states where they operate, but not in West Virginia; and

    Whereas, The lack of economic diversity in many areas of our state could be relieved by increased jobs in weatherization and energy efficiency in those same distressed counties; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of an energy efficiency resource standard for West Virginia, including the potential benefits of energy efficiency in mitigating fuel price volatility and the need for new electricity generation, and to produce recommendations on feasible targets for energy savings, how such a program would be administered, and potential funding mechanisms; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, 2012, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expense 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.