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.
2025 Climate Bills – Coming Soon
HB 3502
Appropriations from the state Revenue Shortfall Fund and the Income Tax Reserve Fund be utilized to initiate investments in flood prevention initiatives to reduce the impact of severe flooding
This bill jumpstarts the state's State Resiliency and Flood Protection Act to allow the Resiliency Office to begin the work off assisting areas of the state prone to flooding to undertake actions to reduce or prevent future flooding.
Sponsors: Sean Hornbuckle
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 3/18/25; referred to the House Committee on Government Organization then Finance.
SB 21
Assessing wildlife impact fee on wind power projects
This bill allows the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to assess a Wildlife Impact Fee on any operator of a wind power project that injures or kills a protected species of animal.
Sponsors: Randy Smith
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Natural Resources; and then to Senate Committee on Finance. The bill passed the Natural Resources Committee on 3/13/25 and was referred to the Finance Committee.
HB 3018
Banning state participation in Kyoto protocols and Paris Accord
This bill bans state participation in the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Accord.
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/27/25 and referred to House Committee on Energy and Public Works.
SB 34
Creating Community Solar Pilot Program
This bill creates a community solar program where subscribers can purchase an interest in a solar facility and use credits against their electric utility costs, helping West Virginia ratepayers save money. The bill also gives the Public Service Commission authority over the administration and rule making of a pilot program.
Sponsors: Mike Oliverio
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining; and then to Senate Committee on Finance
SB 25
Creating WV Coal Marketing Program
The bill establishes the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program to be administered by the Governor. An initial appropriation of $1 million from the general fund would be allocated to the program, with a focus on public-benefit projects aimed at expanding and protecting coal markets.
Sponsors: Randy Smith
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining; and then to Senate Committee on Finance
HB 2471
Eliminate all state and county subsidies or tax breaks for solar compounds or wind compounds or other renewable energy corporations (FN)
This bill eliminates the tax credit for solar, wind, or other renewable energy systems for corporate or other establishments or entities.
Sponsors: Chris Anders
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/17/25 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Work; and then the House Committee on Finance
SB 505
Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act
The purpose of this bill is to protect ratepayers from paying for underperforming assets, particularly as the state transitions away from fossil fuel-based generation. The focus is on ensuring that new energy assets are reliable and cost-effective, especially during times of peak demand.
Sponsors: Patrick Martin
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/14/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining; and then referred to Senate Committee on Government Organization. The bill second reference to Government Organization was dispensed with and the bill passed the Senate on 3/27/25.
HB 2419
Establishing a community solar program for subscribers to gain credits against their utility bills
This bill is establishes a community solar program that allows subscribers to purchase a share in a solar facility and apply credits to offset their electric utility costs. It also sets the parameters and conditions for the program and outlines the administration and rulemaking responsibilities of the Public Service Commission.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/17/25 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works then the House Committee on Judiciary.
SB 233
Establishing rebate for registration fees for hybrid vehicles
This bill is to provide a rebate of $100 for owners of hybrid vehicles.
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and then to Senate Committee on Finance
HB 2128
Establishing reporting requirements for utilities that are members of a regional transmission organization
This bill requires that each public utility that is a member of a regional transmission organization submit information relating to the utility’s or an affiliate’s votes at a regional transmission organization meeting.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to House Committee on Energy and Public Works
SB 57
Establishing tax on production of electricity from wind and solar sources
This bill establishes a tax $3 tax per megawatt of electricity produced for sale or trade on the production of electricity from wind and solar resources in West Virginia. The tax collected will be distributed to the 55 counties based on the number of volunteer fire departments in compliance with the state's Open Checkbook policy. These funds are then allocated to the volunteer fire departments within each county.
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining; and then referred to Senate Committee on Finance.
HB 2995
Fueling Modern Life Act
This bill amends and repeals several sections of the West Virginia Code related to air pollution control. Further, it supports the continued use of carbon-based fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) to support modern life and economic development.
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced 2/26/25 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works
SB 271
Natural Resources Anti-Commandeering Act
This bill prohibits State agencies and employees from participating in the enforcement of federal acts, laws, or regulations regarding extractive resources (such as coal, oil, gas, and timber) unless those laws exist under state law.
Sponsors: Patrick Martin
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining; and then to Senate Committee on Judiciary. The bill passed the Energy Committee on 3/11/25 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
HB 3415
New and existing Orphan Well Prevention Act
This bill prevents oil and gas wells from becoming orphaned on surface owners' land without a responsible driller or operator capable of plugging the well. It establishes procedures to prevent orphaned wells and mandates that plugging funds be set aside in escrow with the Office of the State Treasurer.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 3/17/25; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works then Finance.
HB 3416
New oil and Gas Well Plugging Assurance Act
This bill prevents new horizontally drilled oil and gas wells, which cease production and have no legitimate future use, from remaining unplugged after not producing for a continuous period of 12 months. It also aims to prevent such wells from becoming orphaned on a surface owner's land without a responsible driller or operator capable of plugging the well.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 3/17/25; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works then Finance.
SB 11
Orphan Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act
This bill requires West Virginia oil and gas well operators to set aside money for future well plugging by mandating that newly drilled and transferred wells must either post a single well plugging bond or have the driller/operator begin depositing a small percentage of the well's revenue into the State Treasurer’s office for future plugging. For active wells, operators are required to pay 15¢ per MCF into the State Treasurer’s office for future plugging. Additionally, horizontal well operators must plug any "abandoned" conventional wells within the drainage area of their horizontal well and can recover the plugging costs from the operator of those conventional wells.
Sponsors: Randy Smith
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee
HB 2758
Prohibiting geo-engineering
This bill prohibits the injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of chemicals, chemical compounds, substances, or apparatus within the borders of this state into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight.
Sponsors: Chris Anders
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/21/25 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works; and then the House Committee on Judiciary
HB 2801
Relating to government procurement of electric vehicles
This bill prevents governmental entities and spending units of the state of West Virginia from purchasing electric vehicles, as well as to prohibit government contracts for electric vehicles that may have been produced, in whole or in part, using forced labor.
Sponsors: William Ridenour
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/21/25 and referred to the House Committee on Government Organization; and then the House Committee on Judiciary.
HB 3217
Relating to notification requirements for environmental spills
This bill requires public notification of hazardous environmental spills.
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 3/7/25; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works.
HB 2192
Relating to restrictions on use or sale of motor vehicles based on power source
This bill prohibits state agencies and local government units from restricting the sale or use of motor vehicles based on the energy sources used to power the vehicles.
Sponsors: Gary Howell
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to House Committee on Local Governments
HB 2414
Relating to Well Location Restrictions
This bill provides that the limit of disturbance of a well site may not be closer to an occupied building than 2,500 feet.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced on 2/17/25 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works.
SB 599
Creating Sound Science in Regulations Act
This bill establishes the Sound Science in Regulations Act, providing that no state agency may propose or effectuate a regulatory action unless it is based on the best available science. Further, it prevents state agencies from using the best available science, considering public health research and would involve nearly every aspect of state agency regulations, including all advisories and rules and standards.
Sponsors: Patricia Rucker
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/26/25 and referred to the Senate Committee on Government Organization.
HB 3336
Well Plugging methods
This bill eliminates the requirement to use a four-and-a-half casing for modern or newer wells and removes the mandate to remove intermediate or surface casings for older wells, as long as other regulations are followed.
CWV Position:
Status: This bill was Introduced March 13, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works. It passed the House on 3/24/25 and was referred to the Senate Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee on 3/25/25. This bill passed out of committee on 4/2/25 and ultimately passed into law on 4/11/25 after passage out of the full Senate.