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.