SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 57
(By Senator Minard)
[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study
intrastate natural and methane gas pipeline capacity in the
State of West Virginia.
Whereas, West Virginia has a number of small natural and
coalbed methane gas producers which, for purposes of this
resolution, are defined to include any natural gas producers and
coalbed methane producers with an average production of 100,000
cubic feet of natural or methane gas or less per day within a
pipeline; and
Whereas, Concern has been raised concerning the availability
of intrastate pipeline capacity to transport natural and coalbed
methane gas produced within the State of West Virginia by small
producers; and
Whereas, The Legislature wishes to assure the availability of
adequate pipeline capacity to transport such natural and methane
gas and that such natural and methane gas is transported consisted
with the protection of the environment and the husbandry of the
state's natural resources; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study intrastate natural and methane gas pipeline
capacity in the State of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Public Energy Authority shall
design and conduct, or contract to have conducted, a comprehensive
study of the availability of intrastate pipeline to transport
natural and methane gas produced by small natural and coalbed
methane gas producers in the state and report to the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance on or before December 31, 2007;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That if the Public Energy Authority
concludes that insufficient pipeline capacity currently exists, the
authority is directed to include in its report to the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance on or before December 31, 2007,
detailed recommendations as to how to remedy that insufficiency and
assure the availability of adequate pipeline capacity at a
reasonable cost, including, without limitation, ways in which the
authority can assist in the development of such capacity using the
powers granted to it under chapter five-d of the Code of West
Virginia, 1931, as amended; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Public Energy Authority prepare and
submit a request to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance
setting forth the amount of any funds in addition to the current
amounts appropriated to the Public Energy Authority which are
necessary to carry out the study required herein and a specific
proposal for the needed additional funds; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2008, 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.