HB 5381 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

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 It transfers the Office of Coalfield Community Development into the Office of Energy, eliminates outdated duties like the annual coalfield report, and grants the Office new authority to hold stakeholder meetings, set energy-ready community criteria, and designate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

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Feb 9, 2026 Signed Jun 29, 2026

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What changed between versions

Committee Substitute → hb5381 sfa queen 3-14 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove references to 'renewable' energy from several key sections, narrowing the Office of Energy's focus to coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, and hydrogen. Additionally, the timeline for adopting master land use plans was updated from 2010 to 2027, and the bill title was changed to reflect the new 'Comprehensive Grid Stabilization and Energy Security Act of 2026.'

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing renewable energy from the list of prioritized energy sources in multiple sections, while the timeline for local planning was extended by 17 years.

SCOPE

Removed the word 'renewable' from lists of energy sources in the Office of Energy's strategic plans, site identification criteria, and community designation requirements.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for counties to adopt master land use plans from July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2027.

DEFINITION

Updated the official title of the legislation to 'Comprehensive Grid Stabilization and Energy Security Act of 2026' and removed references to the repealed 'Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act of 2023'.

REQUIREMENT

Adjusted the text in the Office of Energy's duties to remove references to developing strategies for renewable energy.

hb5381 sfa queen 3-14 adopted.htm → hb5381 sfat queen 3-14 adopted.htm · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures the West Virginia Office of Energy, shifting its focus from a narrow emphasis on coalfield community development to a comprehensive energy policy that embraces coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydrogen, and geothermal sources. The changes eliminate the sunset date for the office, remove outdated reporting requirements, and repeal the previous Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act to replace it with a broader security framework. The new legislation empowers the office to identify suitable sites for diverse energy projects, establish energy-ready community designations, and conduct biennial emergency readiness exercises.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily managing coalfield community development to overseeing a full spectrum of energy sources and implementing a state-wide energy security and development strategy.

SCOPE

The Office of Energy's mission was broadened to include coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, hydrogen, and geothermal, replacing a previous focus limited to coalfield community development.

REQUIREMENT

The annual report requirement for the Office of Coalfield Community Development was eliminated, and the sunset date for the office was repealed.

New requirements were added for the Office of Energy to hold stakeholder meetings, develop a comprehensive energy plan, and conduct biennial energy emergency exercises.

The Energy Savings Contracting Program and the specific Energy Savings Program with its 25% reduction goal were removed from the Office of Energy's responsibilities.

TIMELINE

Key deadlines were updated, including the submission of the Comprehensive Energy Policy by December 1, 2026, and the first energy emergency exercise by July 1, 2027.

DEFINITION

New definitions were established for 'Critical Energy Infrastructure' and 'Cybersecurity' to support the new grid stabilization and security act.

ENFORCEMENT

The previous Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act was repealed and merged into a new Comprehensive Grid Stabilization and Energy Security Act of 2026 with updated site designation and permitting timelines.

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes the Office of Coalfield Community Development into a program within the Office of Energy, shifting its focus from solely coal mining communities to a broader, comprehensive energy policy covering coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable sources. It establishes new mandates for the Office of Energy to develop a long-term energy security plan, conduct biennial emergency exercises, and designate sites for various energy projects, while repealing outdated provisions related to the old Office of Coalfield Community Development and the previous grid stabilization act.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Office of Energy from a specific focus on coalfield community development to a comprehensive state energy policy encompassing multiple energy sources and grid security.

SCOPE

The Office of Coalfield Community Development is transferred into the Office of Energy, which now has a broader mandate to develop policies for coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, hydrogen, and renewable energy.

REQUIREMENT

The Office of Energy is required to develop a five-year Comprehensive Energy Policy and Development Plan and submit it to the Governor and Joint Committee on Government and Finance by December 1, 2026.

New requirements mandate the Office of Energy to conduct biennial energy emergency exercises involving state and federal agencies to test grid stability and emergency readiness.

The Office of Energy is authorized to identify and designate specific sites suitable for various energy generation projects to streamline development.

The annual report requirement for the Office of Coalfield Community Development is eliminated as the office is merged into the Office of Energy.

The Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act of 2023 is repealed and its elements are merged into the new Comprehensive Grid Stabilization and Energy Security Act of 2026.

DEFINITION

New definitions are added for 'Critical Energy Infrastructure' and 'Cybersecurity' to support the new energy security and grid stabilization provisions.

TIMELINE

The sunset date for the Office of Coalfield Community Development is eliminated, making the program permanent within the Office of Energy.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 8 edits · Mar 30, 2026

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures West Virginia's energy policy by consolidating the Office of Coalfield Community Development into the Office of Energy to create a unified strategy for all energy sources, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables. It establishes a new 'Comprehensive Grid Stabilization and Energy Security Act' to streamline permitting for electric generation projects and mandates the creation of a state energy security plan and biennial emergency exercises. The legislation also repeals the previous Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act, replacing it with a broader framework that aims to increase baseload generation capacity and improve energy independence by 2050.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Office of Energy from a coal-focused community development program to a comprehensive agency responsible for all energy sources and grid security. It also broadens the scope of the grid stabilization act to include geothermal, hydrogen, and nuclear energy, whereas the repealed act focused only on coal.

SCOPE

Transferred the Office of Coalfield Community Development into the Office of Energy to unify coalfield planning with broader energy policy.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated the Office of Energy to develop a five-year energy development plan and a State Energy Security Plan by December 1, 2026, with subsequent updates every five years.

Required the Office of Energy to conduct biennial energy emergency exercises involving state and federal agencies starting in 2027.

Repealed the annual reporting requirement for the Office of Coalfield Community Development.

Set a specific goal to increase the state's baseload generating capacity from 16 gigawatts to at least 50 gigawatts by 2050.

TIMELINE

Repealed the Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act of 2023 and replaced it with the Comprehensive Grid Stabilization and Energy Security Act of 2026, which streamlines siting for coal, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, natural gas, and nuclear projects.

DEFINITION

Created new definitions for 'Critical Energy Infrastructure' and 'Cybersecurity' within the new energy security act.

ELIGIBILITY

Established a new 'Energy-Ready Community' designation process for local governments that meet specific criteria regarding public education and site availability.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Mar 14, 2026

MODERATE

This bill significantly restructures West Virginia's energy policy by merging the Office of Coalfield Community Development into the Office of Energy and repealing the old Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act. The new legislation creates a 'Comprehensive Energy Policy and Development Plan Act of 2026' that expands the Office of Energy's mandate to include all energy sources (coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydrogen, renewables, etc.) rather than focusing primarily on coal. It establishes new requirements for identifying suitable sites for diverse energy projects, creates a process for designating 'energy-ready' communities, and mandates a state energy security plan with biennial emergency exercises.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a narrow focus on coalfield community development and coal-fired grid stabilization to a comprehensive, multi-source energy policy covering coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydrogen, renewables, and geothermal. The Office of Coalfield Community Development was eliminated as a separate entity and absorbed into the Office of Energy.

SCOPE

The Office of Coalfield Community Development was transferred into the Office of Energy, and the separate Coalfield Community Development Program was eliminated.

The Coal Fired Grid Stabilization Act of 2023 was repealed and its elements were merged into the new Comprehensive Grid Stabilization and Energy Security Act of 2026.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added for the Office of Energy to identify suitable sites for various energy projects (coal, gas, nuclear, renewables) and designate 'energy-ready' communities based on specific criteria.

The Office of Energy's mandate was expanded to develop strategies for all energy sources, including hydrogen and nuclear, and to submit a five-year energy development plan every five years.

TIMELINE

The bill mandates the creation of a State Energy Security Plan by December 1, 2026, and requires biennial energy emergency exercises starting by July 1, 2027.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'Critical Energy Infrastructure' and 'Cybersecurity' to support the new energy security planning requirements.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 14, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

How they voted

32–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 33

Mar 14, 2026

D Democratic2

1 Yea 1

50% Yea

R Republican31

31 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 30, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

upper

Mar 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 704)

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion for previous question adopted (Roll No. 703)

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion for previous question adopted (Roll No. 702)

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title amendment adopted

upper

Mar 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (Roll No. 697)

upper

Mar 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)

upper

Mar 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported do pass

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

On 2nd reading, referred to Rules

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendment

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (Roll No. 245)

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion for previous question adopted (Roll No. 244)

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Amended

Amendment rejected (Voice vote)

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Introduced

Amendment reported by the Clerk

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

By substitute, do pass

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

To House Energy and Public Works

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor