PRINTER'S NO. 1999
No. 138 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY J. L. WRIGHT, WAMBACH, HECKLER, JAROLIN, VROON,
CESSAR, RYBAK, GEIST, COY, DAVIES, LASHINGER, DALEY, BARLEY,
JACKSON, ITKIN, S. H. SMITH, HERMAN, JOHNSON, NAHILL, WILSON,
HALUSKA, JOSEPHS, KONDRICH, STEIGHNER, CLYMER, TRELLO,
SAURMAN, FREEMAN, MELIO, BELARDI, OLASZ, CIVERA, GLADECK,
PETRARCA AND BISHOP, JUNE 7, 1989
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, JUNE 7, 1989
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Consumer Affairs Committee of the House of
2 Representatives to conduct a study that will ensure the
3 Commonwealth's continued efforts in seeking greater fuel and
4 energy self-sufficiency.
5 WHEREAS, Citizens of the United States and citizens of this
6 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania faced an energy crisis in 1973,
7 caused by our dependence on continuance and uninterrupted fuel
8 supply from foreign nations, resulting from a supply
9 interruption stemming from the Arab oil embargo; and
10 WHEREAS, The citizens of the United States and of this
11 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania were forced in their daily lives to
12 contend with oil shortages, gas lines and rapidly increasing
13 energy prices; and
14 WHEREAS, From 1976 to 1986, the citizens of the United States
15 and of this Commonwealth increased their energy efficiency by
16 24%; and
17 WHEREAS, In 1978, the energy efficiency strides of the
1 previous decade leveled off; and
2 WHEREAS, Currently, domestic oil production is declining
3 while at the same time Americans and Pennsylvanians are
4 increasing their consumption, and the United States is now
5 importing almost as much oil as it produces; and
6 WHEREAS, This increased consumption results in part from
7 halting energy efficiency efforts in the construction of new
8 homes; and
9 WHEREAS, Due to the severe weather extremes of 1988,
10 Americans and Pennsylvanians are using more energy in the home;
11 and
12 WHEREAS, While in 1974 the average new car got only 14.2
13 miles per gallon of gasoline compared with the average 1988 new
14 car mileage of 28.5 miles per gallon of gasoline, citizens of
15 the United States and of this Commonwealth are driving more
16 miles and driving faster, which has unfortunately increased the
17 Nation's fuel consumption; and
18 WHEREAS, The citizens of this Commonwealth must continue in
19 their efforts toward energy self-sufficiency by striving toward
20 energy independence through conservation; and
21 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the
22 Pennsylvania Energy Office and the Department of Environmental
23 Resources should be cooperating and expected to cooperate in
24 promoting an energy efficiency and conservation policy;
25 therefore be it
26 RESOLVED, That the Consumer Affairs Committee of the House of
27 Representatives conduct a study into the Commonwealth's efforts
28 toward seeking fuel and energy self-sufficiency; and be it
29 further
30 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
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1 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
2 necessary in this Commonwealth. Each member of the committee
3 shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations to
4 witnesses appearing before the committee; and be it further
5 RESOLVED, That expenses incurred by the committee in carrying
6 out its responsibility including, but not limited to, per diem
7 and travel incurred by the members and regular staffs,
8 stenographic charges and other incidental expenses, be paid from
9 appropriate accounts under the control of the Chief Clerk; and
10 be it further
11 RESOLVED, That the committee shall make a report to the House
12 of Representatives on its activities, findings and
13 recommendations by December 31, 1989, and shall issue interim
14 reports to the House of Representatives as the committee deems
15 necessary.
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