Senate passes cracker

While it normally takes weeks of committee hearings and days of floor action, the “cracker” bill passed in minutes.  The Senate actually approved the measure passed by the House Monday without any changes. Senator Roman Prezioso, the Finance Chairman, urged members to move quickly.

“This is probably one of the most important bills we’ll consider this session, We’re going to move this bill through as quickly as possible to give the governor the opportunity to negotiate the possibility of one or two cracker plants in the State of West Virginia,” Prezioso said.

The rules requiring 3 days consideration were quickly dispensed with and the measure passed unanimously. Raleigh County Senator Mike Green’s committee worked on cracker issues much of last year.

“I think it’s going to be a game changer for the State of West Virginia. What this does is give the governor the opportunity and the leverage to go meet with these corporations and let them know that we are committed to bring this facility here to West Virginia and willing to do what’s best not only for the industry but also for the state of West Virginia and its residents,” concluded Green.

Senate President Jeff Kessler says this action puts West Virginia miles ahead of neighboring states Pennsylvania and Ohio whose legislatures have taken no action to lure cracker plants.

“I’m hopeful it sends a strong signal that West Virginia, its Governor, its Legislature are literally willing to move mountains if need be to get one of these crackers or more in West Virginia. I think we’ve shown a commitment to the industry and to setting up a fair and efficient regulatory framework last month when we did the special session on Marcellus.

"Now we’ve shown we’re willing to make the necessary adjustments to our tax code to make us competitive in that regard as well. The message is we not only want to win one or more of them here but they’ll flourish when they get here, “ Kessler said.