Energy (Coal)

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 25: Establishing WV Coal Marketing Program

SB 25 creates the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program and a dedicated state fund to support the coal industry. The program, administered by the Governor, uses registration fees from "Friends of Coal" vehicle plates to fund projects that protect coal markets, assist communities impacted by coal market changes, and educate the public about coal's economic role and modern practices. Key provisions include using funds for promotional campaigns highlighting coal's importance to West Virginia's identity, economy, and energy reliability, as well as addressing challenges in coal-dependent communities. Unspent funds carry over annually, and the Governor must report yearly on funded projects to the legislature. This bill directly affects state government operations, coal industry stakeholders, and communities facing economic shifts due to the coal sector.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds coal industry promotion via dedicated fund from 'Friends of Coal' plates, directly supporting fossil fuel energy sector per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Energy Resilience

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 79: Establishing road or highway infrastructure improvement projects or coal production and processing facilities tax credit

SB 79 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that invest in road or highway infrastructure projects or coal production and processing facilities. Eligible taxpayers - such as corporations and consolidated groups subject to the state's severance tax - can claim the credit based on qualified expenditures like labor, materials, equipment, and real property costs for these projects. Businesses must apply for certification before claiming the credit for road projects, and unused credits can be carried forward to future tax years. The credit is transferable to business successors, and failure to maintain required records may trigger penalties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for eligible businesses, directly providing tax relief per support indicators.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides tax credit for coal production (fossil fuel), explicitly favoring fossil fuels over renewables. No support for renewable energy infrastructure or clean energy policies.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTax credit for coal production/processing facilities prioritizes fossil fuel industry over environmental protection, increasing pollution risk.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates tax credits for businesses investing in road/highway infrastructure projects, directly funding transportation improvements through financial incentives.95% confidence

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

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4035: Relating to providing a credit against the business and occupation tax imposed on coal-fired electric generating units to help off-set environmental compliance costs

HB 4035 provides a 35% tax credit against West Virginia's business and occupation tax for coal-fired electric power plants that spend on pollution control equipment. It directly affects coal-fired power plants operating in West Virginia (excluding those exempt from the tax), covering costs for installing, repairing, or maintaining equipment to meet environmental regulations like air/water pollution controls or carbon capture. The credit cannot reduce a plant's tax bill by more than 50% in a single year, and unused portions can be carried forward for up to five years. This bill aims to offset compliance costs while supporting continued operation of coal plants serving West Virginia residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 35% tax credit against business tax for coal plants, directly reducing tax liability for environmental compliance costs under state tax code.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides tax credit to coal plants, directly supporting fossil fuel infrastructure over renewable energy transition, opposing clean energy advancement.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax credit for pollution control equipment to meet environmental regulations, directly reducing emissions and supporting compliance with air/water pollution controls.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Coal Water Quality

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 686: Coal Co-tenancy Modernization and Miners Protection Act

SB 686 modifies West Virginia's coal law to allow mining operations when some co-owners of coal land consent, even if others do not. It states that operators mining with consent from at least one co-owner are not committing "waste" or "trespass," and nonconsenting co-owners (including unknown or unlocatable owners) must receive a royalty payment based on their ownership share. The bill creates a new "Unknown and Unlocatable Coal Interest Owners Fund" managed by the State Treasurer to hold royalties from unlocated owners, with funds later transferred to the Special Reclamation Fund. This directly affects coal operators, surface owners, and all co-owners of coal estates, streamlining mining operations while ensuring nonconsenting owners receive compensation.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill advances coal energy production by easing mining consent requirements, directly supporting fossil fuel-based energy production as a core energy source.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 76: Providing exemption from state severance tax for coal sold to coal-fired power plants located in WV

SB 76 would exempt coal sold to coal-fired power plants located within West Virginia from the state's 5% severance tax. This directly affects coal producers who sell thermal coal (used for electricity generation) to in-state power plants, reducing their tax burden on these specific sales. The bill amends existing law to create this exemption, removing the tax that would otherwise apply to coal sold for electricity generation at facilities operating in West Virginia. The change would provide immediate tax savings for coal producers supplying local power plants, without altering other severance tax rates or provisions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill exempts coal sales to in-state power plants from 5% severance tax, reducing state tax revenue and weakening fiscal management.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts coal from severance tax, reducing costs for coal producers and directly supporting fossil fuel use over renewable energy development.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Coal

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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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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

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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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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 50: Providing all coal severance tax be provided to county that produced coal

This bill redirects a portion of West Virginia's coal severance tax to the specific counties where coal is mined. Starting in 2012, it gradually increases the share sent to coal-producing counties (from 1% to 5% of the tax), with an annual cap of $20 million. Counties must use these funds exclusively for economic development or infrastructure projects like roads, broadband, mine reclamation, or water systems - barring personal services or bond costs. It ensures local communities directly benefit from coal extracted within their borders.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects severance tax revenue to coal counties for local economic development and infrastructure, directly allocating state tax funds to targeted budget uses.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRedirects coal severance tax to coal-producing counties for infrastructure, directly supporting fossil fuel energy production and local economic development tied to coal.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits use of funds for broadband infrastructure, directly expanding internet access as a permitted economic development project.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates funds for road infrastructure (listed as eligible use) and mandates county spending on transportation-related projects like roads.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Broadband Access

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