H. C. R. 54
(By Delegates Staton, Amores, Givens, Coleman, Hutchins, Dalton,
Tillis, Kominar, Linch, Trump, Faircloth, L. White and Smirl)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study
whether permitting retail access to competitive electric power
supply markets is in the public interest.
Whereas, Electric service is essential to the health and well-
being of residents of this State, to public safety and to orderly
economic development; and
Whereas, The cost of electricity is an important factor in
decisions made by businesses concerning locating, expanding and
retaining facilities in this State; and
Whereas, Reliable electric service should therefore continue to
be available to all customers at reasonable rates and on reasonable
terms and conditions; and
Whereas; Many state governments have been studying policies
that would create a competitive market for the supply of
electricity; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to appoint an interim committee, consisting of five
members of the House of Delegates to be designated by the speaker
of the House of Delegates and five members of the Senate to be designated by the President of the Senate, to study whether West
Virginia should adopt a plan whereby users of electricity in the
state would have open access across existing and new utility
delivery systems to a competitive market for power supply; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the public service commission
periodically report to the interim committee on the progress of its
study of this issue and, if necessary, on the commission's
development of a deregulation plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the interim committee consider any
reports it may receive from any interested party participating in
public meetings and hearings before the public service commission
on these issues; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1999, 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.
NOTE: The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request
an interim committee of the joint committee on government and
finance to study deregulation of the electric industry.