HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 106

(By Delegates Varner, Cann, T. Campbell, Ferns, Marshall, Perdue, Pethtel and White)

Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study how to best use the additional severance tax collections attributed to the production of natural gas from shales in this state to plan for the future when production of shale gas begins to decline.

    Whereas, The advent and advancement of new and existing technologies and drilling practices have created the opportunity for the efficient development of natural gas contained in underground shales and other geological formations; and

    Whereas, With development of the Marcellus shale there is the opportunity for economic development in related areas of the economy including, but not limited to, manufacturing, transmission of natural gas and related products and the transportation of manufactured products; and

    Whereas, With development of the Marcellus shale also offers the opportunity to plan for and facilitate economic development of the counties where shale gas exists and will be produced to best prepare those counties for life after robust drilling activity ceases and gas production from shale declines in those counties; and

    Whereas, The production of natural gas from shales is expected to generate billions of dollars in natural gas severance tax over the life of natural gas production from the shales; and

    Whereas, This Legislature previously declared in legislation enacted in 2011 that facilitating the development of business activity directly and indirectly related to development of the Marcellus shale serves the public interest of the citizens of this state by promoting economic development and improving economic opportunities for its citizens; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study how to best use the natural gas severance tax from gas produced from the shales; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature on the first day of the regular session, 2013, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation 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.