Energy

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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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

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 648: Strategic and Critical Resources Act

SB 648, titled the "Strategic and Critical Resources Act," defines specific minerals (like lithium, cobalt, uranium, and others vital for national security) and establishes statewide regulations for their extraction. It prevents local governments from restricting or regulating extraction activities or facility development outside urban areas, reserving this authority for the state and federal governments. The bill also prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by federal law) from owning, controlling, or operating facilities related to these resources. It explicitly states that federal environmental and health laws remain fully applicable, and does not affect standard business licenses or taxes. This bill directly affects mining companies, local governments, and foreign entities seeking to develop these critical resources in West Virginia.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill facilitates extraction of energy-critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, uranium) for renewables/nuclear, removing local barriers to support energy infrastructure development.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits local governments from regulating extraction of critical minerals, removing potential environmental safeguards and prioritizing resource development over local environmental protections.85% confidence

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 4509: Relating to restoring local jurisdiction to state political subdivisions over certain electric power facilities.

HB 4509 prohibits counties and municipalities from imposing local zoning, building permits, licensing, or other regulations on certified microgrid districts and certified high impact data centers. It bans local governments from enacting ordinances that restrict the development, operation, or expansion of these specific projects. The bill designates a "Data Economy Liaison" at the Department of Commerce to coordinate with developers and expedite project approvals. This measure removes local regulatory authority over these projects, directly affecting county/municipal governments and the owners of certified microgrid and data center facilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill removes local regulatory barriers for microgrid districts and data centers, facilitating energy infrastructure development per electric power facility focus.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill removes local restrictions on data centers (key tech infrastructure), designates Data Economy Liaison to expedite approvals, directly facilitating tech development and growth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience

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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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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 · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4684: Eliminate all state and county subsidies or tax breaks for solar compounds or wind compounds or other renewable energy corporations

HB 4684 eliminates tax credits for corporations and businesses using solar, wind, or other renewable energy systems after July 1, 2025, while maintaining tax credits for individual homeowners with residential renewable energy systems. It also requires renewable energy projects to be set back at least one mile from residential homes and mandates $400 million in liability insurance per 100 acres for cleanup after disasters. The bill directly affects commercial renewable energy operators by removing financial incentives, but does not impact residential users. These changes aim to reduce state subsidies for large-scale renewable energy operations.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates corporate tax credits for renewable energy, restricting tax breaks for businesses per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyEliminates tax credits for commercial renewable energy corporations while adding restrictive requirements, directly weakening corporate renewable energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates corporate renewable energy tax credits, defunding commercial clean energy projects while adding restrictions, directly weakening industry support for environmental initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 423: Creating Public Electrical Savings Act

SB 423, the "Public Electrical Savings Act," establishes rules for public entities (like schools, government buildings, and municipal facilities) entering power purchase agreements (PPAs) for on-site solar energy. It requires that any PPA must guarantee customers a lower cost per kilowatt-hour than the local utility’s rate, limits PPA contracts to five years (with renewal allowed), and caps total solar generation from PPAs at 3% of a utility’s statewide peak demand. The bill also sets individual capacity limits (50kW for homes, 1,000kW for businesses) and mandates utility meter inspections and cost reporting. These provisions aim to ensure public solar projects provide actual cost savings while preventing grid strain.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables public entities to use solar PPAs with cost guarantees below utility rates, promoting renewable energy adoption while capping scale at 3% of peak demand.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables public entities to adopt on-site solar via PPAs with cost guarantees, promoting renewable energy use. Caps limit grid impact but don't restrict environmental goals; focus is on clean energy adoption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

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