Energy

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

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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 It transfers the Office of Coalfield Community Development into the Office of Energy, eliminates outdated duties like the annual coalfield report, and grants the Office new authority to hold stakeholder meetings, set energy-ready community criteria, and designate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

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 942: Creating Advanced Baseload Energy Development Act

SB 942, the Advanced-Baseload Energy Development Act, creates a framework to support nuclear reactors and hydrogen energy projects that use carbon capture technology. It establishes a new Advanced Energy Division within the Office of Energy to coordinate development, permit projects, and partner with universities for workforce training. The bill provides tax incentives for qualifying projects, requires community benefit agreements, and allows utilities to recover project costs through rate increases. It specifically targets advanced-baseload energy projects using advanced nuclear reactors or fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen with carbon capture, aiming to leverage West Virginia’s energy infrastructure and workforce.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides tax incentives for qualifying energy projects, directly advancing tax policy to fund development of nuclear/hydrogen energy initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax incentives for nuclear/hydrogen projects with carbon capture, establishes new energy division, and funds clean energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes nuclear/hydrogen energy with carbon capture, tax incentives for clean projects, and carbon reduction framework aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentWorkforce training partnerships with universities directly support labor development and job creation in emerging energy sectors, aligning with funding and strengthening worker skills.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Workforce Development

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 1001: Establishing WV Nuclear Lifecycle and Advanced Fuel Cycle Development Act

SB 1001 establishes West Virginia's Nuclear Lifecycle and Advanced Fuel Cycle Development Act, authorizing state-level support for federally licensed nuclear fuel activities like enrichment, recycling, storage, and transportation. The bill creates a Nuclear Lifecycle Development Fund to support infrastructure, workforce training, and matching federal grants for a "Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus." It explicitly states that state agencies cannot block federally authorized nuclear operations and requires all activities to comply with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules. The legislation directly affects nuclear energy developers, federal partners like the Department of Energy, and communities hosting potential facilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes Nuclear Lifecycle Development Fund for infrastructure, workforce training, and federal matching grants supporting nuclear energy development and operations.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes nuclear energy development (low-carbon energy source) via infrastructure funding and workforce training, aligning with environmental goals of reducing emissions through clean energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExplicitly funds workforce training for nuclear industry jobs, directly advancing employment skills and job creation in the sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Recycling Workforce Development

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 931: Relating to utility affordability and economic competitiveness

SB 931 establishes the "West Virginia Utility Affordability and Economic Competitiveness Act" to address high utility costs by imposing a moratorium on rate increases for electricity and water utilities. The bill defines "affordability" as the lowest total cost of electricity (including all rates, fees, and charges) that minimizes financial burden on households and businesses while considering competitiveness with neighboring states. It sets reliability standards requiring electricity sources to maintain 80% performance without intermittent availability (excluding peaker plants) and mandates comprehensive cost evaluations factoring in environmental impacts and supply chain risks. These provisions aim to restore affordability and reliability for West Virginia residents and businesses, which the legislature states are foundational to economic development.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill imposes moratorium on utility rate increases to reduce consumer costs, directly aligning with affordability protections for energy consumers as per its defined 'affordability' standard.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SR 32: Protecting WV coal jobs, coal power, and coal families

This Senate Resolution (SR 32) expresses the West Virginia Senate's commitment to protecting coal-dependent communities and energy infrastructure. It specifically requires coal-fired power plants to operate at a minimum 69% annual capacity factor to maintain grid reliability and protect over 10,000 coal jobs, while opposing actions that threaten mine closures or job losses. The resolution also pledges to prioritize local coal jobs over "out-of-state contracting" and prevent ratepayers from bearing higher costs due to reduced coal generation. As a non-binding resolution (adopted February 18, 2026), it does not create new law but formally commits the Senate to supporting coal through policy advocacy and oversight.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill mandates coal plant operation to protect 10k jobs, opposes mine closures, and prioritizes coal over renewables, actively favoring fossil fuels90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prioritizes coal plant operations (69% capacity) and opposes actions threatening mine closures/jobs, directly conflicting with environmental regulations targeting coal emissions and transition to cleaner energy.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly protects 10,000 coal jobs by requiring coal plant operations and opposing mine closures/job losses, directly advancing employment security in coal-dependent communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Electric Grid

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 893: Providing tax credits for expenditures and activities related to biochar manufacturing

SB 893 creates a state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal carbon storage credit (under IRS Section 45Q) earned by businesses operating new biochar manufacturing facilities in West Virginia that began operations after July 1, 2025. It directly affects eligible businesses that qualify for the federal credit, allowing them to reduce their state corporation income tax by up to 50% of their tax liability for the year. The credit lasts up to 12 years and requires verification through IRS certification and documentation proving biochar production occurred in the state. Businesses must submit federal tax return copies and evidence of carbon sequestration meeting nationally recognized standards to claim the credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 10% tax credit reducing state tax liability for biochar businesses, directly providing tax relief and incentivizing industry growth under tax policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax credit for biochar manufacturing (carbon storage), aligning with federal carbon storage incentives to promote clean energy infrastructure and carbon sequestration.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes carbon sequestration via biochar manufacturing through tax credits tied to federal carbon storage (Section 45Q), directly advancing climate change mitigation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 935: Eliminating business and occupation tax exemption for certain coal-fired merchant power plants

SB 935 repeals a tax exemption for certain coal-fired power plants in West Virginia, directly affecting owners/operators of coal plants operational before January 1, 1995. The bill reduces the taxable generating capacity for these plants to 45% of their official capability (instead of 100%) for tax years starting July 1, 2021, but requires plants to remain operational until at least July 1, 2025, to qualify. If such plants close before July 1, 2025, owners must repay tax savings through a recapture tax, though federal mandates exempting closures avoid this requirement. The law applies specifically to "merchant power plants" (independent generators) and modifies existing tax calculation rules under West Virginia Code §11-13-2o.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals tax exemption for coal plants, increasing state revenue by closing a tax loophole, aligning with fiscal responsibility and tax fairness.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRepeals tax exemption for coal plants, reducing financial incentive to operate, advancing fossil fuel phaseout and aligning with renewable energy transition goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRepeals tax exemption for coal plants, increasing operational costs to discourage continued use of high-emission energy sources, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Coal

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5152: Relating to the disconnection of residential utility during a State of Emergency

HB 5152 prohibits public utilities from disconnecting residential electricity, gas, or water services during a state of emergency declared by the governor. It requires utilities to offer residential customers a payment plan to cover overdue bills without late fees or penalties, and to restore service within 48 hours for those disconnected during the emergency. The bill also bans disconnections for 180 days after the emergency ends for customers facing financial hardship due to the emergency. Utilities must notify customers about these protections and make reasonable efforts to contact affected households to provide payment plan options.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects residential utility consumers from disconnection during emergencies, aligning with consumer protection in the utilities sector (a core energy infrastructure component) without restricting energy production or renewables.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents utility disconnections during emergencies, protecting tenants from displacement and financial hardship, aligns with tenant protection policies in housing legislation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Utility Regulation

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Feb 21, 2026

SB 1040: Creating WV Energy Freedom Act

SB 1040, the West Virginia Energy Freedom Act, removes the requirement for certain non-utility power generators to obtain a "certificate of public convenience and necessity" before building or operating facilities. It directly affects solar, wind, and other non-utility electric generation projects, requiring them instead to register with the Public Service Commission and comply with environmental, zoning, and grid interconnection rules. The bill streamlines approvals by waiving the certificate process for projects reviewed and approved by the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council. It also exempts intermittent power sources (like solar and wind) from the certificate requirement, shifting oversight to registration and standard grid connection protocols.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves certificate requirement for solar/wind projects, streamlining approvals to advance renewable energy development while maintaining environmental/zoning compliance.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves regulatory barriers for solar/wind projects, facilitating clean energy development while maintaining environmental compliance requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Transmission Utility Regulation

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