SCR 6 Text

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 68
(By Senators Unger, Jenkins, D. Facemire, K. Facemyer, Plymale, Stollings and White)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study and examine alternative "green" road and highway paving processes and construction.

Whereas, There are emerging technologies and techniques with respect to paving and road construction that could better protect the environment and more economical; and
Whereas, In other states, "green" highways have been of great benefit to environment since they are built with permeable materials that provide superior watershed-driven stormwater management and the leaching of metals and toxins into streams and rivers can be prevented; and
Whereas, Landfill usage can be favorably reduced as construction involves recycled materials and by using cutting-edge technologies in design, critical habitats and ecosystems are protected from the encroachment of highway infrastructure; and
Whereas, The numerous potholes and rough roads that afflict many of West Virginia's roads due to the harsh winters and the constant freezing and thawing of snow and ice on the roads could be a thing of the past as researchers at Northwestern University are currently studying how to apply nanotechnology to concrete, thus making it less porous; and
Whereas, Recently a revolutionary "green" technology was used in western New York, known to the industry as low emission asphalt, that used sequential mixing process that requires up to fifty percent less energy to produce and greatly reduces pollution; and
Whereas, These are just two of the example of emerging technologies and construction processes that could result in savings to both the taxpayers and the environment; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study and examine alternative "green" road and highway paving processes and construction; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, 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.

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