Virginia, along with the remainder of the United States, is experiencing an energy crisis. Supplies of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum-the generators of the energy we use-have dwindled. In addition, consumption of energy and demand for energy exceed the supply of that energy in forms which are compatible with existing environmental standards. The search for new and expanded sources of energy has not kept pace with the same growth rate of needs for energy.

Numerous factors contributing to this energy crisis led the 1973 General Assembly to enact Senate Joint Resolution No. 128 creating a commission to study the energy crises in the Commonwealth.