SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 62
(By Senators Helmick, Fanning, Bailey, Jackson,
Chafin, Plymale, McCabe, Mitchell, Ross, Sharpe, Anderson, Unger,
Edgell, Kessler, Minard, Prezioso, Bowman, Snyder, Rowe,
Caldwell, McKenzie, Sprouse, Facemyer, Minear, Boley, Oliverio,
Craigo and Tomblin, Mr. President)
Encouraging the President and Congress of the United States to
continue to support the production of coal-based synthetic
fuel.
Whereas, Some areas of the United States are experiencing
major energy crises; and
Whereas, Residents of the State of California have experienced
the harmful economic effects of the absence of an energy policy,
including electricity blackouts and skyrocketing electricity
prices; and
Whereas, Congress recognized the potential for such an energy
crisis and set into motion a number of initiatives intended to
identify our nation's energy sources, including sources of
synthetic energy; and
Whereas, The United States passed the Energy Act of 1980,
including major tax credits in §29 U. S. C., to encourage synthetic
fuel production; and
Whereas, One of the most significant tax credits applies to
the process of producing synthetic fuels from coal-based sources;
and
Whereas, West Virginia has a history and a future as a primary
source of high quality, high BTU bituminous coal; and
Whereas, The nation's major energy producers, recognizing West
Virginia's coal production capabilities, have elected to locate a
number of synthetic fuel production facilities in the state; and
Whereas, These synthetic fuel plants have resulted in
thousands of new jobs for West Virginians working directly in the
plants, mining coal to feed those plants and working in machine
shops and other trades that support the mining of coal and the
production of synthetic fuel; and
Whereas, The positive impact on the economy as a direct result
of the presence of coal-based synthetic fuel plants can be measured
in the hundred of millions of dollars per year; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby encourages the President and
Congress of the United States to support the production of coal-
based synthetic fuel; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby encourages more
coal-based synthetic fuel producers to locate in West Virginia to help solve the nation's serious energy needs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President,
United States Senators Robert C. Byrd and John D. Rockefeller IV,
Representatives Nick J. Rahall, Alan B. Mollohan and Shelley M.
Capito and the chief executive officers of Electric Fuels
Corporation, Massey Energy Company, Inc., and USX Corporation.