The Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining advanced four bills relating to the coal mining industry, infrastructure improvements, economic development, and energy rates.
Senate Bill 20 would establish the Stable Energy Rates Protection Act.
This bill would require the Public Service Commission to annually report to the legislature and limit what the Public Service Commission shall approve, consider, or incorporate into any rate increase.
The bill was sent to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first sent to the committee on Government Organization.
Senate Bill 25 would establish the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program.
This bill is intended to enhance and expand West Virginia’s coal markets and coal facilities. It would also address impacted cities, towns, and counties that have experienced or will experience changes in their coal markets. The program would be administered by the governor.
The bill was sent to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first being reported to the committee on Finance.
Senate Bill 131 would create a tax credit against the severance tax to encourage infrastructure improvements.
This bill is intended to cause private companies to improve highways, roads, and bridges in the state of West Virginia.
The bill was sent to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first being reported to the committee on Finance.
Senate Bill 424, which would establish the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026. The bill would facilitate coke production and steelmaking in the state.
The Department of Economic Development would be directed to locate economically viable sites that meet specific qualifications, such as being located near consumers of electricity and locations that fulfill the air quality conditions required by the Division of Air Quality of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
The bill was sent to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage, first being reported to the committee on Finance.
