The purpose of this bill is to implement changes to the West Virginia Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act o ensure compliance with state and federal mining and reclamation laws.

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 Finance.

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.

This bill aims to distinguish solar energy production from traditional agricultural practices for taxation and regulatory purposes.

Sponsors: Patricia Rucker

CWV Position:

Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Agriculture; and then to Senate Committee on Finance. The bill passed the Agriculture Committee on 3/13/25 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.

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

This bill establishes the Outdoor West Virginians with Disabilities Act. It defines key terms, updates travel management and motor vehicle use plans, and clarifies the motor vehicle use maps. It also designates certain public lands as open, limited, or closed to off-road vehicles.

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced on 3/13/25 and referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources; and then to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary

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.

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

This bill is to provide for environmental cleanup for motor vehicle crashes.

CWV Position:

Status: Introduced on 2/21/25 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works.

This bill is removes the prohibition against establishing additional trail systems within state parks and state forests, opening up our state parks and forests to ATV/ORV use.

CWV Position: Opposes

Status: Introduced 3/6/25 and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and then to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources

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.