Energy (Coal)

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4991: West Virginia First Energy Act

HB 4991, the West Virginia First Energy Act, requires coal-fired power plants in the state to maintain a minimum 69% operational utilization rate (measured annually) and hold at least a 30-day coal supply based on average usage. It restricts utilities from retiring or reducing coal or natural-gas plants without Public Service Commission approval, which requires proof the change won’t raise rates, increase market volatility, or harm grid reliability. The bill also prohibits cost recovery for new wind or solar projects and bans power-purchase agreements for intermittent energy unless existing coal/gas capacity meets specific replacement standards. These provisions aim to stabilize electricity rates, preserve coal industry jobs, and prioritize in-state dispatchable power sources over out-of-state or weather-dependent generation.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill mandates coal plant operations, restricts retirement of coal/gas plants, and opposes renewable energy transition by protecting fossil fuel infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates coal plant operations and restricts retirement, preventing cleaner energy transition and maintaining high emissions, weakening environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Electric Grid Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 623: Establishing economic incentives for data centers to locate within WV

SB 623, titled the "West Virginia-Powered Data Center Incentive Act," creates new economic incentives for *new* data centers to locate in West Virginia by offering reduced property taxes and a tax credit for coal-fired electric utilities supplying them with power. To qualify, data centers must meet specific eligibility criteria and apply through a state process, with incentives requiring ongoing compliance to avoid recapture. The bill aims to attract data center investment to generate jobs, boost economic growth, and support West Virginia's coal industry by leveraging its coal-generated electricity infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesOffers reduced property taxes and tax credits for qualifying data centers, providing targeted tax relief to attract investment and stimulate economic development.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides tax credits for coal-fired utilities supplying data centers, explicitly favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPromotes coal-powered data centers, increasing fossil fuel reliance and opposing environmental protections by incentivizing coal use without emission controls.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tax incentives for data center investment, advancing tech infrastructure development without addressing privacy/cybersecurity directly.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Coal Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 131: Creating credit against severance tax for certain infrastructure improvements

SB 131 creates a tax credit against West Virginia's severance tax for businesses that make qualifying investments in road/highway infrastructure improvements or coal production/processing facilities. It directly affects coal industry businesses and infrastructure developers in coal-producing regions by allowing them to reduce their severance tax liability. The credit covers costs for labor, materials, and real property improvements tied to certified road projects or coal facilities, with applications required through the Transportation Secretary. Unused credits can be carried forward, and the credit may be transferred to successors. This policy aims to incentivize private investment in infrastructure and coal sector capital projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates severance tax credit for infrastructure investments, reducing tax liability for qualifying businesses.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides severance tax credit for coal infrastructure, directly subsidizing fossil fuel production instead of promoting renewables or clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProvides tax credits for coal infrastructure, prioritizing industry over environmental protection and potentially increasing pollution from coal operations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates tax credit for road/highway infrastructure investments, directly funding transportation improvements via severance tax reduction for qualifying projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Coal Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4038: Relating generally to coal fired energy plants and wind power

HB 4038 would limit new permits for wind power facilities in West Virginia and require that for each new wind project approved, existing coal-fired power plants receive a tax offset. The bill directly affects wind energy developers by restricting new project approvals and coal power plants through mandated tax adjustments. Key provisions include capping wind power permits and linking new wind development to tax reductions for coal facilities. It does not alter existing coal plant operations but ties new wind projects to financial benefits for coal power. The bill is currently pending in the House Energy and Public Works Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates tax offsets for coal plants, providing targeted tax relief as a condition for new wind projects, directly advancing tax adjustment policy within Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyLimits new wind permits and requires tax offsets for coal plants, directly restricting renewable development while favoring fossil fuels over wind energy.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentLimits wind power permits (clean energy) while mandating tax offsets for coal plants, favoring fossil fuels over environmental protection and renewable energy expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Wind

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 424: Establishing Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026

SB 424, the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026, would amend West Virginia law to streamline regulations for coal-based electricity generation and coke production (used in steelmaking) by requiring state agencies to simplify permitting processes. The bill directs the Department of Economic Development to lead efforts in promoting these industries, with the goal of leveraging the state's metallurgical coal resources to boost economic growth. It states that developing these sectors would improve economic opportunities, stabilize electricity prices, and strengthen West Virginia's competitiveness with neighboring states. The legislation aims to address regulatory barriers that have hindered coal-related projects compared to other states.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly promotes coal-based electricity generation, favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy development without addressing clean energy initiatives.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill streamlines regulations for coal-based electricity and coke production, removing environmental barriers to boost fossil fuel industries, increasing pollution and weakening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 24: Creating WV Intrastate Energy Use Act

SB 24 creates the West Virginia Intrastate Energy Use Act, clarifying that environmental regulations for coal, oil, and natural gas produced and consumed entirely within West Virginia fall under the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), not the federal EPA. It requires coal mines, oil wells, and gas wells operating for in-state use to obtain operational permits from the WVDEP before commencing activities, asserting that EPA lacks authority to deny such permits for resources not entering interstate commerce. The bill applies to all in-state energy production and power generation facilities using these resources, while explicitly stating it does not override other state or federal environmental laws. This legislation aims to define state regulatory authority for intrastate energy activities based on constitutional principles of state sovereignty.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRemoves federal EPA oversight for fossil fuel operations, shifting authority to WVDEP to enable coal/oil/gas production, opposing federal clean energy regulations.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes federal EPA oversight for in-state energy projects, asserting state authority over environmental permits, weakening federal environmental regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 641: Relating generally to aboveground storage tanks

Senate Bill 641 amends West Virginia's Aboveground Storage Tank Act to expand exemptions for small tanks used in oil/gas operations and road maintenance. It exempts tanks holding 210 barrels or less of brine or hydrocarbon-related fluids (not in "zones of critical concern") from third-party inspection requirements, requiring owners to self-inspect, self-certify, and report annually instead. Tanks in "zones of critical concern" still require monthly secondary containment inspections but remain exempt from third-party certification. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators, coal mining sites, and road maintenance crews using these small tanks, while maintaining basic registration and signage rules.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill reduces regulatory oversight for oil/gas infrastructure by exempting small tanks from third-party inspections, favoring fossil fuel operations over stricter energy regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas

passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 420: West Virginia First Energy Act

SB 420, the West Virginia First Energy Act, requires regulated utilities to maintain minimum operational standards for coal and natural-gas power plants. It mandates a 69% annual utilization rate for coal-fired facilities, a 30-day on-site coal inventory, and firm natural-gas supply contracts for gas plants. The bill prohibits retiring or reducing coal/gas capacity without Public Service Commission approval (unless an in-state replacement is available) and bans cost recovery for new wind or solar projects in utility rate bases. These provisions directly affect utilities operating in-state coal and natural-gas generation, aiming to preserve reliable, dispatchable power sources and limit reliance on intermittent renewables.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMandates coal/gas plant operations, prohibits retiring them without approval, and bans cost recovery for new wind/solar, directly opposing renewable energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentMandates coal plant operations, bans wind/solar cost recovery, prioritizes fossil fuels over clean energy transition per bill text95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 229: Establishing Fueling Modern Life Act

SB 229, the "Fueling Modern Life Act," declares carbon dioxide a necessary nutrient for life and prohibits West Virginia from treating it as a pollutant or setting reduction targets (including "net-zero" goals). The bill repeals existing air pollution regulations that would have required permits or restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions. This directly affects state environmental agencies, requiring them to stop enforcing emission limits and instead support carbon-based fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity and transportation. The law aims to remove regulatory barriers for fossil fuel use by redefining carbon dioxide's role in state policy.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill repeals CO2 emission regulations, prohibits net-zero goals, and mandates support for carbon-based fuels (coal/oil), directly weakening clean energy standards and opposing renewable energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals air pollution regulations, prohibits CO2 emission limits, bans 'net-zero' goals, and mandates support for carbon-based fuels like coal/oil, directly weakening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Air Quality

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4635: To require Public Service Commission to hear requests for rate adjustments from public electrical utilities and issue a recommendation to legislature

HB 4635 requires West Virginia's Public Service Commission to hold hearings on rate adjustment requests from public electric utilities and issue recommendations to the legislature. The bill shifts final approval authority for utility rate changes from the Commission to the state legislature, ending the Commission's prior power to approve such adjustments. It also directly affects coal-fired electricity generators by mandating they maintain a minimum average rate of electricity production. This bill applies specifically to public electric utilities, particularly those operating coal-fired facilities, and changes the process for approving rate increases.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMandates coal generators maintain minimum production, favoring fossil fuels over renewables, restricting clean energy transition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Utility Regulation

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