Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to establish a legislative task force to study the implementation of a credit from the business and occupation tax for generating or producing electric power in West Virginia using coal produced in West Virginia.

Whereas,

There are sound economic purposes for encouraging the use of coal mined in this state in the production of electricity produced in this state; and
Whereas,

Whereas,

Coal's primary use for the generation of electricity is evident and should be recognized as a viable source, generating fifty-six percent of the electricity consumed in the United States each day, far more than any other energy source; and
Whereas,

Worldwide, coal provides forty percent of total electricity generation, primarily used by the industrial and retail sector as a fuel for heating and powering foundaries, cement plants and other industrial and manufacturing facilities; and
Whereas,

A number of coal generation plants also use coal to produce steam for generating electricity and for heating; and
Whereas,

It is vital these facilities are encouraged to continue utilizing coal in compatibility with our nation's environmental laws, in order to generate electricity because it's reliable and a low-cost energy source; and
Whereas,

Today, twenty-three of the twenty-five lowest operating cost electric generation power plants in the United States are fueled by coal; and
Whereas,

The relatively low cost of coal-fired electricity has given the United States and West Virginia an important advantage in a world marketplace that has become increasingly competitive; and
Whereas,

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to

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.