HB 4038
Relating generally to coal fired energy plants and wind power
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to prioritize coal-fired energy in West Virginia, particularly during emergencies. It limits the issuance of new permits for wind power projects and establishes an offset mechanism where new wind facilities are required to reduce taxes paid by existing coal-fired power plants. The bill reinforces coal’s role as the primary energy source during weather events and seeks to maintain the state’s economic reliance on coal resources.
Key provisions
- Limits the number of new wind power permits to two per year.
- Creates a tax offset for new wind power facilities, reducing taxes paid by coal-fired power plants.
- Designates coal as the primary energy source for West Virginia during emergency weather events.
- Establishes a ‘county coal revenue fund’ and an ‘all counties and municipalities coal revenue fund’ for distributing coal severance tax revenue.
- Specifies how county and municipal allocations from the coal revenue funds are determined, considering population.
- Allows counties and municipalities to use coal severance tax revenue for public purposes.
- Requires a five percent reduction in coal severance tax for new wind power plants.
- Reinforces the legislative finding that coal is an important fuel source for keeping household energy costs low.
Who is affected
- Coal Industry
- Power Generators (Coal and Wind)
- West Virginia Counties
- West Virginia Municipalities
- Residents of West Virginia
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