South Carolina General Assembly
118th Session, 2009-2010

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Bill 1192

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COMMITTEE REPORT

March 25, 2010

S. 1192

Introduced by Senators Massey, Campbell, Mulvaney and Bright

S. Printed 3/25/10--H.

Read the first time March 16, 2010.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON

INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 1192) memorializing Congress to enact legislation expanding the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas leasing program to allow exploration and production of domestic supplies, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

HERB KIRSH for Committee.

            

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO ENACT LEGISLATION EXPANDING THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF (OCS) OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM TO ALLOW EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC SUPPLIES OF NATURAL GAS OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO ALLOW SOUTH CAROLINA TO RECEIVE 37.5 PERCENT OF FUNDS DUE TO THE UNITED STATES FROM OCS NATURAL GAS LEASES TO BE EXPENDED BY THE STATE FOR SUCH PURPOSES THE STATE MAY DETERMINE.

Whereas, South Carolina's industries, including fertilizer, agrochemical, plastic, manufacturing, pulp and paper, hotels, grocery stores, construction and research institutions, among many others, are heavily dependent on access to reliable and affordable natural gas; and

Whereas, the Energy Information Administration predicts that global demand for energy will increase 44 percent by 2030, requiring a 46 percent increase in the production of natural gas; and

Whereas, it is imperative the United States reduce its dependence on foreign sources of oil and natural gas; and

Whereas, the United States Department of the Interior conservatively estimates that around 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to power 60 million homes for 106 years, is recoverable from Outer Continental Shelf sources; and

Whereas, technological advances and environmental partnerships have enabled the energy industry to achieve new levels of safety and ecological protection while producing natural gas in federal waters; and

Whereas, there is a great need to create new sources of jobs for the state's citizens with unemployment at 12.6 percent. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, urge the United States Congress to enact legislation that expands the Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas leasing program so as to provide for exploration and production of domestic supplies of natural gas in federal waters off the coast of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved, that the United States Congress is also urged to enact legislation that would allow South Carolina to receive 37.5 percent of all bonuses, rent, royalties, and other sums due and payable to the United States from Outer Continental Shelf natural gas leases and that the amounts paid to a state could be used for any purpose determined by state law, which may include, but are not limited to, education, transportation, reduction of taxes, coastal and environmental restoration, energy infrastructure and other energy projects, alternative energy development, energy efficiency and conservation, and hurricane and natural disaster insurance programs.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, to the President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.

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