West Virginia needs to develop new housing and infrastructure, and industrial sites that can employ us into the future.
As we have seen in Jefferson County recently, government decisions about industrial development have tended to overvalue speculative promises about jobs and undervalue public concerns about air and water pollution and long-term community well-being.
West Virginia needs to develop new housing and infrastructure, and industrial sites that can employ us into the future. But these development decisions must be balanced and sensitive to their environmental consequences and to public health issues. Our government should not be permitted automatically to put public concerns about conservation in second place behind the quest for more jobs.
Our Development Platform
We support legislation that will require the DEP to hold an air quality permit public hearing for any large new industrial facility in the county where the facility is to be located.
We support requiring new heavy industrial facilities to be strictly located in special zones set aside by counties for such industry after public input, taking account of pre-existing land use, the location of other industry and infrastructure, environmental conditions, and the location of schools and cultural sites.
2021 Development Bills
HB 2246
Prohibiting Manufacturing Plants from Locating Within Two Air Miles of an Existing Public School
Prohibits manufacturing plants from locating within two air miles of an existing public school without the written permission of the county school board. Also requires that a majority of the school board voted to grant this permission.
Sponsors: John Doyle
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced 2/10/21; referred to Workforce Development Committee
HB 2533
Providing Tax Credits for Green Buildings
Providing a tax credit for obtaining certain certifications by the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system or the Green Globes Building Initiative green building rating standard. The bill sets forth the amount of the credit, who may take the credit, the criteria for taking the credit and the amount of the credit. The bill also provides rule-making authority and defines terms.
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced 2/15/21; referred to Government Organization Committee
HB 2588
West Virginia Energy Efficiency Jobs Creation Act
Providing the Public Service Commission the authority to require electric utilities to develop and implement plans for the efficient use, conservation and reduction of electricity usage. Also sets forth goals to achieve electricity savings and requires electric utilities to submit plans for reaching those goals. The bill also provides for a self-direct option for large electricity customers.
Sponsors: John Doyle
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced 2/17/21; referred to Energy and Manufacturing Committee
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