HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 67

(By Delegates Rohrbach, Statler, Stansbury, Hill, Pasdon,

                                 Howell, Fast, Rowan, A. Evans, Romine and Hamilton)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to authorize a study of various industries that use natural gas and how the Legislature can leverage West Virginia's natural gas resources to attract industries to the state and spur economic growth.

            Whereas, West Virginia contains vast natural gas resources, including a 6,000-foot-deep Marcellus Shale rock formation believed to contain more than 50 trillion cubic-feet of recoverable natural gas and a Utica Shale rock formation believed to be one of the largest in the country; and

            Whereas, West Virginia's underground natural gas storage capacity accounts for about 6 percent of the U.S. total, and the state is an important supplier to the Northeast during the winter months when natural gas demand peaks; and

            Whereas, Industries are increasingly relying on natural gas to meet energy needs; and

            Whereas, The Legislature should take an active role in studying, formulating and implementing policies that address how to leverage the state's natural gas resources to spur economic growth in the state; 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 on the types of industry that would benefit from locating in West Virginia, because of the state's high natural gas production, and how the state can leverage its natural gas resources to attract businesses and spur economic growth; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2016, 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.