PRINTER'S NO. 4202
No. 843 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY GEORGE, JULY 9, 2008
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JULY 9, 2008
A RESOLUTION 1 Directing the Speaker of the House of Representatives to 2 authorize the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to 3 conduct an investigation into all aspects of the Governor's 4 Energy Initiative. 5 WHEREAS, On September 17, 2007, Edward G. Rendell, Governor 6 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, convened the General 7 Assembly in Special and Extraordinary Session; and 8 WHEREAS, The Governor directed the General Assembly to 9 properly consider any legislation with respect to investments in 10 renewable energy, energy conservation, economic development 11 related to such and the promulgation of requirements for the 12 renewable energy contents of liquid fuel; and 13 WHEREAS, The Governor decried America's burgeoning dependence 14 on foreign oil and called on the General Assembly to adopt 15 policies that would put the Commonwealth at the forefront of 16 renewable energy source development; and 17 WHEREAS, Any energy supply shortages or significant spikes in 18 the price of energy may very well lead to economic and financial
1 difficulties for businesses within this Commonwealth, a loss of 2 jobs and a threat to the environment and public safety; and 3 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania would be best 4 served if the General Assembly would take the lead in 5 determining the potential impact of these problems before they 6 occur; and 7 WHEREAS, In order to respond to these economic and financial 8 threats before they occur, and so that the General Assembly may 9 ascertain the most knowledge on these critical topics in a short 10 time period, the use of all constitutionally granted powers by 11 the duly authorized committees of the Pennsylvania House of 12 Representatives is necessary and useful; therefore be it 13 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives 14 authorize the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to 15 investigate all aspects of the Governor's Energy Initiative; and 16 be it further 17 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take 18 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems 19 necessary in this Commonwealth; and be it further 20 RESOLVED, That the committee may issue subpoenas under the 21 hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to appear 22 before the committee and to answer questions touching matters 23 properly being inquired into by the committee and to produce 24 such books, papers, records and documents as the committee deems 25 necessary; and be it further 26 RESOLVED, That the subpoenas may be served upon any person 27 and shall have the same effect as subpoenas issued out of the 28 courts of this Commonwealth; and be it further 29 RESOLVED, That any person who willfully neglects or refuses 30 to testify before the committee or to produce any books, papers, 20080H0843R4202 - 2 -
1 records or documents shall be subject to the penalties provided 2 by the laws of this Commonwealth in such case; and be it further 3 RESOLVED, That each member of the committee have the power to 4 administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before 5 the committee; and be it further 6 RESOLVED, That the committee make a report of its 7 investigation to the House of Representatives as soon as 8 possible. J1L82JKL/20080H0843R4202 - 3 -