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TO CREATE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING WIND ENERGY PRODUCTION FARMS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP, AND TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2010, AT WHICH TIME THE STUDY COMMITTEE IS ABOLISHED.
Whereas, the United States is increasing its demand for clean, affordable, and domestic energy sources in light of concerns for the environment, climate change, rising gas prices, and over-reliance on foreign sources of energy; and
Whereas, wind energy is a safe, clean, fuel-free, renewable source of energy that has experienced a boom in energy markets around the world in recent years, with over seventy countries developing wind energy sources and the United States as the third highest generator of wind energy; and
Whereas, in the United States, wind energy will provide at least six percent of the nation's electricity by 2020 and has the potential to provide twenty percent of the nation's electricity with continued government encouragement to accelerate its development; and
Whereas, many states have tapped into the wind energy market to reap the benefits for their economy and the environment; and
Whereas, South Carolina should not be left behind in the pursuit of this beneficial source of energy and should determine whether wind energy production is feasible in this State. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
(A) There is created the Wind Energy Production Farms Feasibility Study Committee. This committee shall review, study, and make recommendations regarding the feasibility of windmill farms in the State including, but not limited to, whether South Carolina is a suitable site for wind production on land or in offshore areas, the economic and environmental impact to the State, and the cost of wind farm installation and operation in the State.
(B) The committee is composed of seven members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. At the first meeting of the committee, the members shall elect a chairperson from among the committee members. A vacancy occurring on the committee must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(C) The staffing for the committee must be provided by the State Energy Office of the State Budget and Control Board and the appropriate committee of the House of Representatives that oversees energy policy in the State.
(D) The members of the committee may not receive compensation, but are entitled to receive mileage, subsistence, and per diem authorized by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions payable from approved accounts of the House of Representatives.
(E) The committee shall submit its report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives before January 1, 2010, at which time the Wind Energy Production Farms Feasibility Study Committee is abolished.
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