SB 552: Relating to Certified Business Expansion Development Program - West Virginia

sb552 sfa phillips _1 3-6 adopted.htm → sb552 sfat phillips _1 3-6 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill title was updated to include 'SFAT' (Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee) instead of 'SFA', and the amendment language was significantly rewritten. The original amendment proposed adding a new subsection (f) to protect regulated utility customers from bearing costs for non-utility generation in high impact business development districts. The new language replaces this with a comprehensive bill title summary that removes several requirements, including the mandate that districts be located on certain lands, the requirement for renewable energy sources, and the specific protection for utility customers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by removing multiple restrictions on high impact business development districts, including location requirements and renewable energy mandates, making the program more flexible.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that high impact business development districts must be located on certain lands.

Eliminated the requirement that electrical service to business development districts must be generated from renewable sources.

FISCAL

Changed the protection for regulated electric utility customers from a specific new subsection to a broader provision stating they shall not bear costs incurred by utilities located in high impact business development districts.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title from 'SFA' to 'SFAT' to reflect the correct committee designation.

Committee Substitute → sb552 sfa phillips _1 3-6 adopted.htm · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to add a new subsection (f) that clarifies that regulated electric utilities cannot be charged for costs related to electricity generation co-located with high impact business development districts. These costs must instead be borne by the businesses within those districts. The amendment also re-letters the remaining subsections to accommodate this new provision.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly protect regulated electric utilities from bearing costs associated with on-site electricity generation at certified business development districts.

FISCAL

Added new subsection (f) stating that regulated electric utilities shall not bear any construction, operational, or capacity-related costs for non-utility owned electricity generation co-located with high impact business development districts.

REQUIREMENT

Re-letters the remaining subsections to accommodate the new subsection (f) and maintain proper bill structure.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was reformatted from a formal legislative text to a webpage view, but the substantive content of the legislation remains largely the same. The main policy change is the addition of a sunset provision (Section f) that will expire the program on June 30, 2028, and a new provision allowing eligible facilities to connect to public utilities for initial construction while still qualifying for the program benefits.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the Certified Industrial Business Expansion Development Program, but now includes a specific expiration date for the program.

TIMELINE

Added a sunset provision requiring the program to expire on June 30, 2028, unless renewed by the legislature.

ELIGIBILITY

Added language allowing facilities to connect to public utilities for initial construction and development while still maintaining their status as new electric generating load.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document format from raw legislative text to a webpage view with navigation elements and headers.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Mar 6, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove the requirement that electricity in certified business districts must come from renewable sources, to eliminate the acreage restriction on where districts can be located, to add new provisions for special utility rates and cost protections for existing customers, and to extend the program's expiration date to June 30, 2028. These changes make the program more flexible for businesses by allowing traditional energy sources and broader site locations while adding consumer protections.

Scope change

The program now applies to any plant or facility regardless of location type, removing previous restrictions on land use and renewable energy requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that electricity generated within certified districts must come from renewable sources.

Eliminated the restriction that districts must be located on state-owned land or former coal mining sites.

Added new provisions allowing the Public Service Commission to approve special electric utility rates for eligible customers within districts.

Added protection requiring regulated electric utility customers to not bear construction, operational, or capacity costs for non-utility owned electricity generation co-located with districts.

TIMELINE

Extended the program expiration date from an unspecified date to June 30, 2028.

DEFINITION

Clarified that any plant or facility may participate in the program, removing previous language suggesting only certain types of facilities qualify.

Relating to Certified Business Expansion Development Program

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