PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 174 PRINTER'S NO. 468
No. 12 Session of 1993
INTRODUCED BY GEORGE, FEE, SURRA, COLAIZZO, D. R. WRIGHT,
S. H. SMITH, VEON, JAROLIN, VITALI, RUDY, VAN HORNE AND
LYNCH, FEBRUARY 1, 1993
AS AMENDED, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 10, 1993
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Conservation Committee of the House of
2 Representatives to conduct hearings across this Commonwealth <--
3 WITHIN THE AFFECTED AREA on public and private utility <--
4 response to emergency situations. AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. <--
5 WHEREAS, In mid-December 1992, one of the most severe winter
6 storms in the last 20 years swept across this Commonwealth, most
7 severely affecting counties in the west-central part of the
8 State; and
9 WHEREAS, Many residents were not able to have their
10 electricity restored for nearly two weeks due to the enduring
11 impacts of the storm, creating potentially devastating
12 environmental and sanitary conditions; and
13 WHEREAS, Rural Electric Cooperatives serve rural areas where
14 private water wells, dependent upon electricity, are the only
15 sources of potable water for many people; and
16 WHEREAS, Many rural residents are dependent upon water for
17 livestock and farms which are the livelihoods for the storm-
18 stricken families; and
1 WHEREAS, The storm caused economic hardship for families
2 because of lost work time and food spoilage due to lack of
3 refrigeration; therefore be it
4 RESOLVED, That the Conservation Committee of the House of
5 Representatives conduct hearings across this Commonwealth WITHIN <--
6 THE AFFECTED AREA on public and private utility response to
7 emergency situations THIS EMERGENCY SITUATION; and be it further <--
8 RESOLVED, That the Conservation Committee may take
9 appropriate testimony and make its inquiries and investigations
10 at such places WITHIN THE AFFECTED AREA and at such times as it <--
11 deems necessary within this Commonwealth; and be it further <--
12 RESOLVED, That the Chairman of the Conservation Committee
13 shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations to
14 witnesses appearing before the committee; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That the Conservation Committee shall be empowered
16 to issue subpoenas under the hand and seal of its chairman upon
17 a majority vote of committee members, commanding any person to
18 appear before it and answer questions touching matters properly
19 being inquired into by the committee and produce for inspection
20 such books, papers, records, computer data, accounts, reports
21 and documents as the committee deems necessary; and be it
22 further
23 RESOLVED, That the Conservation Committee, if warranted, may
24 recommend legislation or regulatory changes at the conclusion of
25 the hearings.
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