Clean Air

SB 15 is a bill introduced in the West Virginia Senate that amends state law to strengthen protections for coal, oil, gas, and other commercially valuable minerals when carbon capture and underground carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration or storage projects are proposed.

Sponsors: Chris Rose, Chris Phillips

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee 1/27/26.

SB 23 clarifies that wind power projects are not pollution control facilities for certain purposes under state tax law, and provides that such projects are to be taxed as real property rather than receiving pollution-control tax treatment.

Sponsors: Chris Rose, Chris Phillips, Darren Thorne

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee on 1/14/26.

SB 24 proposes to add a new section to the West Virginia Code to establish the West Virginia Intrastate Energy Use Act.

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Judiciary Committee on 1/14/26.

SB 25 is legislation to create the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program, a state-level program aimed at protecting and expanding coal markets and coal facilities and addressing economic impacts that communities have experienced or may experience due to changes in the coal industry.

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Finance Committee on 1/30/26.

SB 73 seeks to ensure that solar farms are treated as non-agricultural in state statutes governing property appraisal and agricultural classifications — which could affect valuation, taxation, and eligibility for certain agricultural programs or incentives.

Sponsors: Patricia Rucker, Chris Rose, Darren Thorne, Tom Willis

CWV Position: No Position

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Finance Committee on 2/05/26.

SB 82 seeks to create a new excise tax on the production of electricity from wind and solar power sources.

Sponsors: Chris Phillips, Chris Rose, Darren Thorne

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee on 1/14/26.

SB 88 proposes to add a new section (§22-5-21) to the West Virginia Code regarding community air monitoring data programs.

Sponsors: Darren Thorne

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Government Organization Committee on 1/14/26.

SB 118 requires landowners and forest carbon developers to register each carbon credit agreement and establishes civil penalties for noncompliance.

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining; and then to the Committee on Finance.

SB 229 proposes to repeal most existing statutory provisions related to air pollution control in Chapter 22, Article 5 of the West Virginia Code and replace them with a new framework called the Fueling Modern Life Act. SB 229 seeks to shift West Virginia’s air quality and carbon policy toward recognizing and promoting CO₂ and carbon-based energy, rather than regulating emissions under traditional pollution control frameworks.

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Natural Resources Committee on 1/14/26.

SB 230 would add a new article to the West Virginia Code requiring electric utilities to offer customers a choice in the type of electrical meter installed at their property.

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee 1/14/26.

HB 4035 would give coal-fired electric utilities a tax credit for environmental compliance costs.

Sponsors: Phil Mallow

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works then Finance.

HB 4038 amends the WV Clean Coal Technology Act to recognize coal as the only reliable source for electric power generation, limits the number of wind power projects that can operate in the state, and provides that for each new wind powered facility built in West Virginia, there is an offset in the amount of taxes paid by new and existing coal fired power plant.

Sponsors: Phil Mallow

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works then Finance

HB 4107 requires applicants to DEP for air or water permits to state lawful business activity or purpose for the permit applied for.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

HB 4109 removes the 400-well cap and makes the operator responsible on all their wells. Gas and oil drillers are responsible for a $350 fee on their first 400 wells that are not capped.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works.

Creates a statewide energy efficiency program designed to reduce energy waste, lower utility costs, and support job creation by encouraging energy efficiency investments in homes, businesses, and public buildings across West Virginia.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works

HB 4111 establishing a community solar program for subscribers to gain credits against their utility bills.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works then Finance.

HB 4127 repeals higher registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Finance

HB 4197 permits the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to install and monitor air quality using fenceline monitors near facilities that emit air pollution, provide technical assistance to individuals and groups that wish to monitor the air quality in their communities, encourage the Department of Environmental Protection to use the collected data; permit individuals to submit the data collected regarding air pollution to the secretary, and enable the secretary to follow up on any data found from fenceline air quality monitoring

Sponsors: Evan Hansen

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works

HB 4556 would eliminate net metering for public utilities in West Virginia by repealing the state law section that currently establishes net-metering and interconnection standards making it harder for residents, businesses, and communities to invest in distributed solar and other clean energy, while slowing progress on clean air, climate resilience, and energy affordability.

Sponsors: Patrick Martin

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/19/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/20/26.

HB 4805 proposes adding a new section (§17C-4-18) to the West Virginia Code that establishes procedures for environmental cleanup following motor vehicle crashes or other environmental hazards.

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/26/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/26/26.

HB 4832 requires high-impact data centers to report and obtain approval for water use, authorizes DEP to restrict withdrawals to protect state water resources, and mandates public notice and hearings before approval.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen, John Williams, Sean Hornbuckle, Shawn Fluharty

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced on 1/26/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/26/26.

HB 4838 would amend § 17A-10-3c of the West Virginia Code to raise additional annual registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles.

Sponsors: William Ridenour

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 1/27/26; referred to House Finance Committee on 1/27/26.

HB 5039 would abolish the existing air pollution control provisions in §22-5-1 et seq. of the West Virginia Code and replace them with a new policy framework focused on carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Sponsors: Chris Anders, William Ridenour

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 2/2/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 2/2/26.