Climate
It is pointless to argue about what, or who, caused our planet to begin warming at an alarming rate. The fact is that global warming is real and we can see its effects all around us.
The task for us is to find the right policy solutions that will protect our families and communities and summon the will to make the necessary changes. Imagine how Teddy Roosevelt, who established our national parks, would respond to this situation.
The next generation of West Virginians will likely face the consequences of any hesitancy to act now. The heavy rainfall events and flooding, periods of intense drought, and challenges for agriculture that we see now will get worse unless we get a handle on this problem. And the U.S. military has predicted that a warming planet will create a national security threat because of worldwide instability.
Responding to global warming will not require huge, expensive government programs. It will simply take thoughtful policy, evenhandedly administered, that will produce a reduction of carbon emissions by individuals and businesses. After all, carbon dioxide is nothing more than air pollution and we know how to deal with it. We just need to get busy.
Our Climate Platform
We support legislation that will prioritize planning and preparedness to counter the long-term threat posed by climate change to the health, safety and prosperity of West Virginians.
We support legislation that would require West Virginia to reduce substantially its carbon footprint by 2050 by capping utility emissions, requiring state vehicle fleets to purchase electric and hybrid vehicles, refurbishing state buildings to increase energy efficiency, and other practices.
We support legislation that will broaden the availability and installation of solar, wind and geothermal energy facilities in West Virginia through use of tax incentives and other means.
We support legislation that authorizes purchase power agreements between West Virginia consumers and non-utility third-party developers to construct and operate alternative energy facilities on the consumer’s property and sell power to the consumer.
2026 Climate Bills
SB 15
Limiting Private Carbon Sequestration Programs
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 20
Stable Energy Rates Protection Act
SB 20 aims to restrict the inclusion of wind and solar-related costs in future utility rate increases, shifting how energy project costs factor into ratemaking. It also establishes reporting requirements to monitor impact on rates and reliability.
Sponsors: Chris Rose, Chris Phillips, Laura Chapman
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/14/26; referred to Government Organization Committee 1/30/26.
SB 23
Changing Tax Rate on Windpower Projects from Pollution Control Rate to Real Estate Rate
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
West Virginia Intrastate Energy Use Act
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 73
Clarifying Non-Agricultural Status of Solar Farms
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
Establishing Tax on Production of Electricity from Wind and Solar Sources
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 118
Establishment of Forest Carbon Registry
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 230
Requiring Electric Utility Meter Choice
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.
SB 375
Division of Forestry Rule Relating to Rules for Certification of Managed Timberland
SB 375 would authorize the WV Division of Forestry to promulgate a legislative rule concerning rules for the certification of managed timberland.
Sponsors: Patricia Rucker
Status: Introduced on 1/15/26; reported in Com. Sub. for S. B. 374 on 1/28/26.
Crossed Over
SB 420
West Virginia First Energy Act
SB 420's goals are to: 1) Restore electric rate stability by prioritizing in-state coal and natural-gas generation. 2) Preserve employment and investment in West Virginia’s coal and natural-gas industries. 3) Coordinate with the Electric Grid Stabilization and Security Fund to maintain reliable baseload and mid-load generation.
Sponsors: Mike Azinger
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/15/26; referred to Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee 1/15/26. Passed Senate on 3/4/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 3/5/26.
SB 423
Creating Public Electrical Savings Act
SB 423 proposes changes related to public power purchase agreements and the Public Service Commission’s jurisdiction.
Sponsors: Chris Phillips, Tom Willis
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/15/26; referred to Judiciary Committee on 1/15/26.
SB 424
Establishing Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026
SB 424 proposes to amend existing state law to establish the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026.
Sponsors: Chris Phillips, Chris Rose, Tom Willis
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/15/26; referred to Finance Committee on 1/30/26.
SB 514
Prohibiting Geoengineering
SB 514 is a bill proposing to prohibit geoengineering activities in West Virginia.
Sponsors: Patricia Rucker, Chris Rose
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/20/26; referred to Natural Resources Committee on 1/20/26.
SB 623
Creating Economic Incentives for Data Centers
SB 623 is a piece of legislation aimed at attracting large data centers to the state by offering targeted economic incentives, particularly tying those incentives to the use of coal-generated electricity and other taxable benefits.
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/27/26; referred to Economic Development Committee on 1/27/26.
SB 632
Atmospheric Intervention Oversight and Public Safety Act
SB 632 proposes to establish a new regulatory framework aimed at prohibiting unauthorized atmospheric intervention or geoengineering activities within or above the state of West Virginia.
Sponsors: Patricia Rucker
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/26/26; referred to Natural Resources Committee on 1/27/26.
PASSED
SB 648
Strategic and Critical Resources Act
SB 648 proposes a new state law called the Strategic and Critical Resources Act. Its main purpose is to set statewide rules for the extraction and regulation of strategic and critical resources—important minerals and materials related to national security, energy reliability, infrastructure, and economic stability.
Sponsors: Robbie Morris, Ben Queen, Chris Rose, Patricia Rucker, Darren Thorne, Chris Phillips, Randy Smith
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/28/26; referred to the Judiciary Committee on 1/28/26. Passed the Senate on 2/18/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 2/20/26. Passed the House on 3/13/26; sent to Governor on 3/14/26.
SB 665
Prohibiting Geo-Engineering
SB 665 would ban geoengineering and weather-modification activities (like cloud seeding or releasing substances into the air to alter weather) over West Virginia, give the state authority to investigate and stop such actions, and impose penalties on anyone who violates the ban.
Sponsors: Patricia Rucker
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/29/26; referred to Natural Resources Committee on 1/29/26.
SB 790
Comprehensive Energy Policy and Development Plan
SB 790 would revise West Virginia’s energy policy framework by restructuring energy-related agencies and establishing a comprehensive statewide energy plan under the West Virginia Office of Energy.
Sponsors: Randy Smith
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/6/26; referred to Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee on 2/6/26.
HB 4035
Coal Utility Tax Credit for Environmental Compliance Costs
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
Clean Coal Technology Act
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 4109
Removing Cap on Number of Wells Subject to Annual Oversight Fee
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.
HB 4110
West Virginia Energy Efficiency Jobs Creation Act
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
Community Solar Program
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
Repealing Higher Registration Fees for Alternative Fuel Vehicles
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 4556
Eliminate Net Metering
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 4684
Eliminate Tax Subsidies for Wind and Solar
HB 4684 proposes changes to West Virginia tax law related to renewable energy systems — specifically eliminating certain tax incentives and imposing restrictions on installations by corporations and other non-individual entities.
Sponsors: Chris Anders, Lisa White, Laura Kimble, Larry Kump
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 1/21/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 1/21/26.
HB 4838
Increasing Registration Fees for Alternative Fuel Vehicles
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 5160
Atmospheric Intervention and Public Safety Act
HB 5160 seeks to prohibit unauthorized atmospheric intervention or geoengineering activities within the state and establish a regulatory, enforcement, and oversight framework to protect the air and atmospheric conditions above West Virginia.
Sponsors: Lisa White, William Ridenour
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/4/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee on 2/4/26.
HB 5381
Comprehensive Energy Policy and Development Plan
HB 5381 restructures state energy planning and programs with the goal of creating a comprehensive, long-term energy development and security strategy for West Virginia.
Sponsors: Roger Hanshaw, Sean Hornbuckle
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/9/26; referred to House Energy and Public Works Committee 2/9/26. Passed the House on 3/2/26; referred to Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee on 3/4/26. Passed by the Senate on 3/14/26.
HB 5513
Prohibit Cloud Seeding
HB 5513 proposes adding a new article to the West Virginia Code to prohibit geoengineering activities within the state’s airspace. These activities include cloud seeding, weather modification, aerosol injections, and similar environmental manipulation techniques.
Sponsors: Chris Anders, Ian Masters, Laura Kimble
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/13/26; referred to House Government Organization Committee 2/13/26.
