2026 Regular Session

SB 15

Strengthening protections for certain natural resource interests affected by carbon capture and underground carbon storage projects

In Second Chamber

Jurisdiction

West Virginia

Session

2026 Regular Session

Official source

Chamber

Senate

Session

2026 Regular Session

Jurisdiction

West Virginia

Bill overview

This bill aims to protect the interests of coal and gas mineral owners and lessees in West Virginia when carbon capture and underground carbon storage projects are proposed. It requires carbon sequestration projects to isolate existing or future production from the carbon dioxide plume and mandates that the storage operator notify mineral owners and lessees of the project. The bill also establishes specific permit requirements, including demonstrating the project won’t adversely affect mineral resources, water sources, or human health, and ensuring fair compensation for non-consenting landowners.

Key provisions

Requires carbon sequestration projects to isolate production from the carbon dioxide plume.
Mandates notification to mineral owners and lessees of proposed projects.
Establishes a fee for permit applications and deposits funds in a dedicated administrative fund.
Requires the secretary to determine if a storage facility contains commercially valuable minerals and address potential impacts on mineral owners.
Sets specific requirements for permit applications, including site characterization, well construction, and monitoring.
Requires adequate buffer areas and monitoring protocols to ensure safe operation.
Establishes compensation procedures for non-consenting pore space owners.
Sets a one-year timeframe for permit decision-making.

Who is affected

Coal and gas mineral owners
Coal and gas mineral lessees
Carbon capture project operators
West Virginia residents

Positions across the state

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

Reasons to support this legislation.

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Arguments opposed

Reasons to oppose this legislation.

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Legislative history

2026-01-14Senate

Filed for introduction

2026-01-14Senate

To Energy, Industry, and Mining

2026-01-14Senate

Introduced in Senate

2026-01-14Senate

To Energy, Industry, and Mining

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

1/22/2026SenateVoice vote
Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Vote map

Senate districts

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0 districts with vote data

Nay

Yea

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

1/22/2026SenateVoice vote
Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Recorded roll calls

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SB 15

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsor

Positions across the state

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Passage without roll call

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Passage without roll call

Recorded roll calls

Bill text

Notable changes

Positions across the state

Passage without roll call

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Passage without roll call

Recorded roll calls