PRINTER'S NO. 189
No. 14 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY PRATT, REED, F. TAYLOR AND FEE, FEBRUARY 7, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON MINES AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT,
FEBRUARY 8, 1977
In the House of Representatives, February 7, 1977
1 WHEREAS, The winter of 1976-1977 and accompanying natural gas
2 fuel crisis has proven to be devastating and detrimental to the
3 health, welfare and economy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
4 and
5 WHEREAS, The fuel crisis experienced during this period has
6 illustrated the need for a thorough investigation and review of
7 the status of the natural gas supplies in the Commonwealth of
8 Pennsylvania; and
9 WHEREAS, The people and elected officials of the Commonwealth
10 of Pennsylvania are fearful that the natural gas fuel shortage
11 is part of an overall plan or scheme by natural gas utility
12 companies and suppliers to force the price of natural gas up to
13 higher levels for increased proceed purposes; therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives directs that the
15 House Mines and Energy Management Committee conduct a thorough
16 investigation into the alleged shortage of natural gas in
17 Pennsylvania concentrating on the storage of natural gas
1 supplies in Pennsylvania, the existence of any drilled but
2 untapped natural gas wells in Pennsylvania and the feasibility
3 of drilling for natural gas supplies in Lake Erie and other
4 areas in Pennsylvania without danger to our environment; and be
5 it further
6 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
7 testimony, and make its investigations at such places as it
8 deems necessary. It may issue subpoenas under the hand and seal
9 of its chairman commanding any person to appear before it and to
10 answer questions touching matters properly being inquired into
11 by the committee and to produce such books, papers, records and
12 documents as the committee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may
13 be served upon any person and shall have the force and effect of
14 subpoenas issued out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Any
15 person who willfully neglects or refuses to testify before the
16 committee or to produce any books, papers, records or documents,
17 shall be subject to the penalties provided by the laws of the
18 Commonwealth in such case. Each member of the committee shall
19 have power to administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses
20 appearing before the committee; and be it further
21 RESOLVED, That within 30 calendar days after the committee
22 has made its report, the chairman of the committee shall cause a
23 record of all expenses incurred by the committee, or the members
24 thereof, which are payable at Commonwealth expense, to be filed
25 with the Speaker of the House and the Speaker shall cause the
26 same to be entered in the journal thereof. No expenses incurred
27 by the committee or any member thereof shall be reimbursable by
28 the Chief Clerk unless such expense shall first have been
29 included as an expense item in the record heretofore required.
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