SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 407

(By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President), Bowman, Browning, Chafin, Edgell, D. Facemire, Fanning, Foster, Green, Helmick, Jenkins, Kessler, Laird, McCabe, Minard, Oliverio, Palumbo, Plymale, Prezioso, Snyder, Stollings, Unger, Wells, White, Williams, Yost, Barnes, Boley, Caruth, Deem, K. Facemyer, Guills, Hall and Sypolt)


Expressing the will of the Senate to continue its support of the West Virginia coal industry and requesting that West Virginia's congressional delegation resist and oppose efforts to undermine the future of West Virginia coal.

Whereas, The coal industry provides salaries and benefits to thousands of West Virginians; and
Whereas, The coal industry is responsible for millions of dollars of tax revenues that are used to fund important government services and programs; and
Whereas, The coal industry is vitally important to the economic welfare of this state and its citizens; and
Whereas, The Legislature, with the leadership and support of the Governor, has worked to enact legislation to ensure the future of West Virginia coal, including the adoption of sweeping coal mine safety reforms, planning requirements for post-mining land use, an alternative and renewable energy portfolio featuring advanced coal technology and a regulatory framework for carbon capture and sequestration projects; and
Whereas, Recent events at the federal level, most notably the debate over "cap and trade" legislation in Congress and obscure regulatory actions by the Environmental Protection Agency, are casting a shadow of doubt and uncertainty over the future of the coal industry in West Virginia; and
Whereas, For the sake of those individuals who depend upon coal to support themselves and their families, the House of Delegates, the Senate, the Governor and West Virginia's congressional delegation must work together to secure the future of the coal industry and with it the future of the state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby expresses its will to continue its support of the West Virginia coal industry and requests that West Virginia's congressional delegation resist and oppose efforts to undermine the future of West Virginia coal; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate will continue to support the West Virginia coal industry by encouraging measures that protect miners and their families, provide incentives for the development of advanced coal technologies, enhance the energy independence of the state and the nation, protect the environment from which coal is mined and supply consumers with cleaner and more affordable energy produced from coal; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate requests that West Virginia's congressional delegation resist and oppose efforts at the federal level to undermine the future of West Virginia's coal industry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to United States Senators Robert C. Byrd and John D. Rockefeller IV and Representatives Nick J. Rahall, Alan B. Mollohan and Shelley M. Capito.