deep underground, could be further increased and piped into
homes and other structures to serve as a constant source of
heat; and
WHEREAS, This process would produce almost no carbon while
harnessing a steady stream of cheap and reliable heating and
minimizing costs; and
WHEREAS, Multiple plans of a similar nature are in
development outside of the United States; and
WHEREAS, In addition to producing energy, these plans would
create an industry of technicians and engineers which will be
needed to build and service this new geothermal infrastructure;
and
WHEREAS, Since many former mining communities were built in
close proximity to where the coal was mined, there is a
substantial possibility for these residents to benefit from the
creation of a new geothermal energy industry; and
WHEREAS, The power-producing legacy of more than 100 years of
mining could continue in a manner that has a positive impact
economically and environmentally for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, Refocusing attention and retrofitting this
Commonwealth's abandoned coal mines for the purpose of
geothermal energy could be transformative for the production of
low-cost, zero carbon energy in former mining communities;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on the
feasibility of using geothermal energy technologies that utilize
abandoned mining locations and operations in this Commonwealth,
including the costs to ratepayers of public utilities, and issue
a report of its findings and recommendations to the House of
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