HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 43

(By Delegate Frederick)

[Introduced April 2, 2001; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


"Urging the United States Congress to undertake action to effect the passage of the U.S. Senate Bill 60, The National Electricity Technology Act."

Whereas, The increasing use of electro-technologies and the lack of affordable and available fuel sources places the electrical security of the Nation at risk; and
Whereas, Coal comprises 95 percent of the fossil fuel reserves in the United States and exists in sufficient quantities to supply energy to America for 250 years at current rates of consumption; and
Whereas, Continued improvements in efficiency and environmental performance at coal-fired electrical generating units will allow for continued use of coal and preserve other, less abundant natural resources, for other energy uses; and
Whereas, 56 percent of the electricity consumed in the United States is produced from coal; and
Whereas, Investment in emissions control technology over the past 30 years has reduced the aggregate emissions of pollutants from coal-fired electrical generating plants by 21 percent as coal use in the same plants has tripled; and
Whereas, Investment in clean-coal technology will further reduce emissions from coal-fired electric generating units; and
Whereas, Coal mining and electrical power generation have been, and continue to be, two of the primary industries responsible for the economic security of the State of West Virginia and its citizens; and
Whereas, An abundant and inexpensive supply of electricity is necessary to sustain a robust and growing economy in the State of West Virginia and the Nation; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature of West Virginia urges members of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives to pursue the passage of U.S. Senate Bill 60, the National Electricity and Environmental Technology Act, in order to assure the continued electrical security of the United States; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President and Vice-President of the United States, to each member of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives and the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy.