Bill Text: GA HR598 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Joint Study Committee on Renewable Energy Industries in Georgia; create

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-21 - House Second Readers [HR598 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HR598-Introduced.html

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11 LC 21 1178

House Resolution 598

By: Representatives James of the 135th, Williams of the 165th, Powell of the 29th, Drenner of the 86th, and Dickson of the 6th

A RESOLUTION

Creating the Joint Study Committee on Renewable Energy Industries in Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, renewable portfolio standards require electric utilities to provide a specified portion of their power generation from renewable resources, such as biomass, solar, and wind, and recoverable resources, such as landfill gases and solid waste; and

WHEREAS, at least 29 states and the District of Columbia have mandated renewable portfolio standards, and seven states have voluntary renewable portfolio goals; and

WHEREAS, in 2007 Congress enacted the Energy Independence Act designed to increase energy efficiency, enhance the availability of renewable energy, and increase the production of clean renewable fuels, and under that Act the federal Environmental Protection Agency broadened the existing Federal Renewable Fuels Standard, FRS1, into FRS2, increasing the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into transportation fuel from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons by 2022; and

WHEREAS, one out of every seven Georgians works in agriculture, and agribusiness contributes over $67 billion to the state's economy, representing 12 percent of the state's annual economic output; and

WHEREAS, more than 65 percent of the geographic area of Georgia is in forest land, and forestry is a $16.7 billion per year industry in the state; and

WHEREAS, Georgia imports more than 98 percent of the fuels used to generate electricity in the state, in the form of coal, natural gas, and nuclear fuel, and the price of coal and natural gas has been rising at an alarming rate; and

WHEREAS, while Georgia has no known coal deposits, the state does produce a wide variety of renewable materials which can be used in the production of energy; and

WHEREAS, increased use of renewable and recoverable resources to generate electricity and increased energy efficiency could reduce harmful emissions, particularly from existing coal fueled generation plants; and

WHEREAS, increased use of biomass for the generation of electric power can be an excellent tool for economic development, particularly in rural areas, where biomass is available; and

WHEREAS, it is vital that the legislature recognize the economic, environmental, and fuel diversity benefits of renewable energy resources, encourage the establishment of a market for renewable energy in Georgia using the state's renewable energy resources, and encourage the further development of those resources; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly intends to do everything necessary to lessen this state's dependence on imported coal, oil, and natural gas by encouraging the greater use of renewable energy by establishing goals for electric utility companies in implementing renewable and recoverable portfolio standards.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that there is created the Joint Study Committee on Renewable Energy Industries in Georgia to be composed of 13 members as follows: two members from the general public appointed by the Governor representing the forestry industry; two members from the general public appointed by the President of the Senate representing the farming industry; two members from the general public appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall represent the environmental community; two members of the general public appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall be a legal professional; one member of the Public Service Commission selected by the chairperson of the commission; one member of the general public appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture; the author of this resolution; and one member of the House appointed by the author of this resolution. Such members, after their appointment, shall appoint a chairperson from the general public. All appointees from the general public shall be persons who are professionally involved in the generation of renewable and sustainable resources and the production of renewable energy in, without limitation, farming, forestry, biomass technology, and alternative energy technology.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation that the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee shall study the implementation of a renewable energy portfolio in Georgia so this state can be competitive in the field of renewable energy industries. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall serve without compensation. The Department of Agriculture shall provide administrative assistance to the committee. The committee shall make a written interim report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives not later than September 30, 2011, and shall make a final report to such officers not later than February 28, 2012. The committee shall stand abolished on February 28, 2012.