05-R 122

2005 -- H 6245

Enacted 03/16/05

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO PROVIDE FOR A

DOMESTIC ENERGY POLICY THAT ENSURES AN AFFORDABLE SUPPLY OF

NATURAL GAS AND EMBRACES A CONCERTED NATIONAL EFFORT TO PROMOTE GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION

Introduced By: Representatives Kilmartin, Fox, and Lima

Date Introduced: March 16, 2005

     WHEREAS, The price of natural gas in the United States, already the highest in the

industrial world, has again spiked and shows continued volatility; and

     WHEREAS, According to the federal Energy Information Administration, total natural

gas demand is projected to grow 48% over the next 25 years; and

     WHEREAS, The United States and the State of Rhode Island are increasingly reliant on

natural gas in our energy supply, creating an imbalance between natural gas supply and demand;

and

     WHEREAS, Higher natural gas costs are passed through to consumers in the form of

spiraling home heating bills, more expensive food, and higher prices for many pharmaceuticals

and consumer goods; and

     WHEREAS, Energy rates are already the highest in the State of Rhode Island, and the

annual bill for a typical residential heating customer is already projected to increase significantly

for the 2005 fiscal year; and

     WHEREAS, The volatility of gas prices is having a negative effect on metal treating,

chemical, fertilizer, plastics, aluminum, and steel producers as well as the agricultural sector; and

     WHEREAS, The chemical and plastics industries of the United States, once leading

exporters, now have large trade deficits, in part due to rising gas prices; and

     WHEREAS, Hundreds of chemical and plastic industry jobs in the State of Rhode Island

are threatened in industries using natural gas as a raw material, including the business of

chemistry and the plastics industry; and

     WHEREAS, The business of chemistry annually generates over 2200 jobs in 68

manufacturing facilities with average wages of $41,000 and with foreign exports of $63 million;

and

     WHEREAS, The plastics industry annually generates over 8400 jobs with $1.7 billion

worth of plastic shipments; and

     WHEREAS, The natural gas imbalance is a multi-faceted issue and will require various

solutions, including, but not limited to, increased production, improved energy efficiency, greater

conservation, and increased importation; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby urges the Congress of the United States to provide for a domestic

energy policy that ensures an affordable supply of natural gas and embraces a concerted national

effort to promote greater energy efficiency and environmentally responsible natural gas

production; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the presiding officers of each House of

Congress to the Rhode Island Delegation and to the Congress of the United States.

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LC02821

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