Energy (Oil & Gas)

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 790: Developing comprehensive energy development policy and plan for Office of Energy

SB 790 reorganizes West Virginia's energy governance by transferring the Office of Coalfield Community Development into the Office of Energy and creating a new Comprehensive Energy Policy and Development Plan. It requires the Office to develop a long-term strategy covering coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, hydrogen, and geothermal energy sources, including annual reports and stakeholder meetings. The bill grants the Office new authority to approve power plant decommissioning, designate energy-ready communities, and establish site criteria for energy projects. This directly affects the Office of Energy's operations and state energy planning processes, eliminating outdated programs like the Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires comprehensive energy plan covering renewables (hydropower, hydrogen, geothermal) alongside fossil fuels, promoting diversified development and strategic planning.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Hydroelectric Oil & Gas

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 5039: Fueling Modern Life

HB 5039, titled "Fueling Modern Life," repeals all existing West Virginia air pollution control statutes (§22-5-1 through §22-5-20) and replaces them with a new policy declaring carbon dioxide (CO₂) a "foundational nutrient" necessary for life, not a pollutant. The bill mandates that West Virginia will not treat CO₂ as a pollutant, reject "net-zero" emission targets, and actively support carbon-based fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This directly affects all entities regulated under air pollution laws, including power plants and industrial facilities, by eliminating CO₂ emission requirements. The legislation shifts state policy to prioritize fossil fuel use for economic development while asserting CO₂ levels are beneficial and historically low.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals pollution laws, declares CO₂ non-pollutant, rejects net-zero, mandates support for carbon-based fuels like coal and gas, directly opposing clean energy standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals air pollution statutes, declares CO2 a nutrient (not pollutant), rejects net-zero targets, and supports carbon-based fuels, weakening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Air Quality

Track

passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HR 6: Recognizing the importance of sustained economic development to the prosperity of West Virginia

This House Resolution (HR 6) expresses the West Virginia House of Delegates' support for developing natural gas pipeline infrastructure, specifically an intra-Panhandle pipeline connecting western gas fields to the Eastern Panhandle. It aims to improve access to locally produced natural gas for residents, support industrial and commercial growth, and create jobs across the state. The resolution highlights West Virginia's status as a top natural gas producer and notes that existing pipelines transport most output out of state, while Maryland's opposition to pipeline extensions is cited as a barrier. It does not create new laws or funding but urges responsible infrastructure expansion to boost economic development. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect but signals legislative backing for pipeline projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly supports natural gas pipeline infrastructure development, advancing fossil fuel energy production and infrastructure. Clear intent to promote energy infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Tags Economic Development

Track

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 5381: Relating to developing a comprehensive energy development policy and plan for the Office of Energy

This bill directs West Virginia's Office of Energy to develop a comprehensive energy policy and plan covering coal, natural gas, nuclear, renewable, hydrogen, and geothermal sources. It transfers the Office of Coalfield Community Development into the Office of Energy, eliminates outdated duties like the annual coalfield report, and grants the Office new authority to hold stakeholder meetings, set energy-ready community criteria, and designate project sites. The legislation also repeals the 2023 Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act, merging its provisions into a new "Comprehensive Grid Stabilization and Energy Security Act." The Office must submit annual reports on its findings and develop strategies for multiple energy sectors, including state energy security planning. This restructures state energy policy to embrace diverse energy sources while focusing on stability, cost, and security.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates comprehensive energy plan including renewable, hydrogen, and geothermal sources, promoting diversified energy development and new project designations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 5676: Relating to Forced Pooling and negotiating with unleased owners.

HB 5676 amends West Virginia law to clarify standards for "voluntary pooling" in horizontal oil and gas drilling, directly affecting landowners with unleased mineral rights (royalty owners) and operators seeking to include their land in a horizontal well unit. The bill requires operators to offer "fair and reasonable" payments based on a non-consenting owner's net acreage in the unit, rather than relying on traditional lease negotiations. It establishes specific definitions (like "horizontal well unit" and "royalty owner") and mandates that operators provide this "unitization consideration" to owners who do not voluntarily agree to participate in the unit. The policy change aims to balance operator needs for efficient drilling with property rights for landowners.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill facilitates oil and gas production by requiring fair payments for unleased mineral rights, directly supporting fossil fuel extraction without promoting renewables, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 706: Modifying severance tax on newly drilled oil and natural gas wells

SB 706 modifies West Virginia's severance tax for oil and natural gas producers by temporarily reducing the tax rate for newly drilled wells. It lowers the tax rate to 3% (from 5%) for 24 months starting from the first sale of natural gas or oil from wells drilled after June 30, 2026. This applies specifically to newly completed wells, while existing wells and other production types maintain their standard rates (2.5% or 5% depending on production volume and drilling method). The bill directly affects oil and gas producers who drill new wells after the effective date, offering a short-term tax incentive to encourage new development. The change is part of the state's severance tax structure under §11-13A-3a of the West Virginia Code.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTemporarily reduces severance tax revenue for oil producers, decreasing state budget income from a key tax source.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces severance tax for new oil/gas wells, lowering costs for fossil fuel producers and favoring fossil fuels over renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces severance tax for new oil/gas wells, incentivizing increased extraction without environmental safeguards, prioritizing industry over environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 685: Creating Natural Resources Anti-Commandeering Act

West Virginia's SB 685, the Natural Resources Anti-Commandeering Act, prohibits state agencies, local governments, and their employees from enforcing or assisting with federal regulations on coal, oil, gas, timber, or related extractive resources that conflict with West Virginia law. It bans the use of state funds for such federal enforcement activities and requires the state Attorney General to legally challenge federal actions they deem unconstitutional under anti-commandeering principles (citing Supreme Court cases like *Printz v. United States*). The bill also mandates the Attorney General to publish guidance for state agencies on resisting federal enforcement efforts and to pursue legal action using state funds. This applies directly to state officials, law enforcement, and local government entities handling natural resource regulations. The law focuses on preventing state cooperation with federal rules, not altering existing state resource management.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks federal regulations on fossil fuels (coal/oil/gas), opposing federal energy policies that could restrict extraction or promote renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks state enforcement of federal environmental regulations on extractive industries, weakening federal protections and prioritizing industry over environmental oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Forestry

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 4838: To increase the annual registration fees for electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles.

HB 4838 increases annual registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles in West Virginia. It raises fees to $400 yearly for hydrogen/natural gas vehicles, $200 for plug-in hybrids, and $400 for fully electric vehicles - doubling current rates. These fees apply in addition to standard registration costs and directly affect owners of these vehicle types. The bill modifies Section 17A-10-3c of the West Virginia Code to implement these changes.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyIncreases fees for EVs/hydrogen vehicles, creating financial disincentive to adopt clean energy transportation, opposing renewable energy adoption.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill increases fees for EVs/hybrids, creating financial barriers that hinder sustainable transportation adoption, opposing promotion of eco-friendly vehicle use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Oil & Gas Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

Track

passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 15: Strengthening protections for certain natural resource interests affected by carbon capture and underground carbon storage projects

SB 15 requires carbon storage operators to protect mineral owners' interests before permits are issued for underground carbon storage projects in West Virginia. It mandates that applicants must verify if coal, oil, or gas minerals exist in the project area and obtain written agreements ensuring these interests won't be harmed by the carbon dioxide plume. The bill also requires operators to notify mineral owners and lessees, secure written consent from at least 75% of pore space owners, and compensate nonconsenting owners fairly. This directly affects coal and oil/gas mineral rights holders and carbon storage operators by adding legal safeguards to project planning and approval.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables carbon capture projects by requiring mineral owner protections, advancing clean energy infrastructure for emissions reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 302: Tax Department rule relating to Downstream Natural Gas Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit

SB 302 authorizes West Virginia's Tax Department to establish a formal rule governing the Downstream Natural Gas Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. This rule, previously filed in the State Register on March 31, 2025, provides specific guidelines for businesses involved in natural gas processing or manufacturing to claim the tax credit. The bill itself does not change the tax credit's eligibility or amount but formally authorizes the department to implement the existing proposed rule. It directly affects natural gas manufacturers seeking to utilize this tax incentive.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyAuthorizes tax credit for natural gas manufacturing, supporting fossil fuel infrastructure over renewable energy development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

Track