HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 53

(By Delegates Manypenny, Anderson, Boggs, Border, Brown, Canterbury, Doyle, Fleischauer, Guthrie, Hatfield, Longstreth, Manchin, Moore, Moye, Perdue, M. Poling, ROmine, Shaver, SIgler, Stephens, Talbott and Wells)

Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance authorize a study of the relationship between increases in seismic events and hydrocarbon production and exploration in the State of West Virginia.

    Whereas, The production of natural gas by horizontal drilling is of considerable economic importance to the State of West Virginia; and

    Whereas, The most recent information available to the Legislature indicates the potential for increases in seismic activity that correlate to increases in hydrocarbon production and waste injection; and

    Whereas, The Department of Environmental Protection and the State of West Virginia lack the research necessary to accurately account for recent earthquakes in Braxton County; and

    Whereas, Most recent scientific evidence indicates injection induced seismic activity presents serious concerns for human health, environmental stability and property security in the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to authorize a study of the phenomenon of increased seismic activity in the State of West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Department of Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the Bureau for Public Health, be requested to conduct or contract to have conducted a comprehensive study including the following: (1) A hazard analysis of injection induced seismic activity which includes quantitative estimates of the likelihood of future seismic events in regions where Marcellus well drilling and waste injection occurs; (2) a risk analysis to determine possible damage to human life, environmental stability and building structures related to injection induced seismic activity as well as all monetary costs resulting from such damages; and (3) any other considerations that the Department of Environmental Protection and the Bureau for Public Health believe important; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Department of Environmental Protection and the Bureau of Public Health cooperate with the Joint Committee on Government and Finance related to this study; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Department of Environmental Protection and the Bureau for Public Health report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance their findings, conclusions and recommendations on or before May 25, 2013; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Department of Environmental Protection and the Bureau for Public Health prepare and submit a request to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance setting forth the anticipated time necessary to conduct each phase of the study and if any funds in addition to the current amounts appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection and Bureau for Public Health are necessary to carry out the study, submit a specific proposal for additional funds; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2013, on the progress of the study with findings, conclusions and recommendations, if any, 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 for legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.