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,
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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.
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