Energy

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 · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4385: Cap a utility provider’s rates increases at no more than 5% per year

HB 4385 would cap annual rate increases by West Virginia utility companies (like electricity and gas providers) at a maximum of 5% per year. The bill requires all proposed rate hikes by public utilities to stay within this 5% limit, effective July 1, 2026. This directly affects utility companies and their customers by limiting how much rates can rise annually. The provision applies to all future rate increase requests, replacing any higher proposed increases with the 5% maximum.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCaps utility rate hikes to protect consumers, aligning with consumer protection in energy policy per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics 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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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 · 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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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 220: Relating to jurisdiction of PSC

SB 220 amends West Virginia law to redefine "solar photovoltaic energy facility" as "on-site energy facility" within the Public Service Commission's jurisdiction. It establishes specific rules for power purchase agreements (PPAs) between public entities (like schools or government buildings) and utility customers, requiring PPAs to guarantee lower electricity costs than the utility's rate, limit facility sizes (25kW residential, 1,000kW commercial, 2,000kW industrial), cap total PPA capacity at 3% of a utility's peak demand, and restrict PPA terms to five years. The bill also mandates 11-point font for PPA contracts and requires utilities to notify customers if capacity limits are reached within 30 days. These provisions directly affect public entities entering PPAs and utilities managing such agreements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes PPA rules requiring lower costs than utility rates for solar facilities, promoting renewable energy adoption in public entities with size limits.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4891: To require all utility companies to absorb the costs of maintenance, upgrades, and repairs for their pipes, cables, utility poles, electrical lines, and other necessities without increasing rates or costs to consumers/customers.

HB 4891 requires all utility companies in West Virginia (including those providing water, electricity, and gas) to cover the full cost of maintaining, upgrading, and repairing their infrastructure - such as pipes, cables, poles, and lines - without raising customer bills. The bill prohibits companies from including these infrastructure costs in requests for rate increases or other charges to consumers. Utilities must also keep records proving these costs were not factored into any rate justification. This directly affects every utility company serving West Virginia residents by shifting infrastructure expense responsibility from customers to the companies themselves.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents utility rate hikes for infrastructure maintenance, protecting consumers from cost increases on energy services per bill's requirement to absorb all infrastructure costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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

HB 4491: Relating to certification by the Public Service Commission of advanced small modular and micro nuclear reactors

HB 4491 would give West Virginia's Public Service Commission (PSC) authority to certify advanced small modular and micro nuclear reactors for electricity generation, directly affecting utilities and developers seeking to build such facilities. The bill specifies the PSC can issue or modify siting certificates for construction and operation, as well as certificates of convenience and necessity, all subject to federal law not preempting these actions. It also grants the PSC rulemaking power to implement these provisions within federal law limits. This bill focuses solely on establishing the state's certification process, not on promoting specific reactor projects or outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnables certification of nuclear reactors, advancing clean energy infrastructure development under PSC authority.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Utility Regulation

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