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Signature Sponsor
February 2, 2026 - Below is a message from Chris Hamilton, President, West Virginia Coal Association: To: WVCA Membership From: Chris Hamilton, Jason Bostic Re: Legislative Update
Today is the 20th day of the 2026 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature. As of today, there have been 1,707 total bills introduced in the House and Senate. Of that total, 297 (16%) are related to the coal industry. Here is a document listing all the legislation currently being tracked by the Association. Several WVCA backed bills have been advanced by the Senate Energy Industry and Mining Committee https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 20 prohibiting the PSC from approving any fee or rate increase or any costs associated with construction, operation, maintenance or decommissioning of any energy facility that produces power solely from an intermittent power source like solar or wind. Referred to Senate Finance. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 25 creating the WV Coal Marketing Program in the Governor’s office designed to protect and expand state coal markets and coal facilities, in part by promoting and educating the public on state coal markets and industry. Proceeds from Friends of Coal license plates is the primary source of funding for the program. Referred to Senate Finance. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 131 creating a special tax credit against severance taxes for certain coal production and processing facilities and infrastructure projects. Any project encroaching on state or public roads must be approved by the Department of Highways. Qualifying projects per SB 131 are eligible for a fifty percent (50%) credit. Referred to Senate Finance. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 424 directs the division of Economic Development to identify economically viable sites for coking production facilities that rely on in-state metallurgical coal supplies and assist in securing applicable permits. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 76 exempting coal sold for generating electricity to instate power plants from the state severance tax nearly identical to legislation introduced last year. Referred to Senate Finance. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 15 strengthening protections for coal and natural gas operations potentially impacted by carbon capture and underground carbon storage projects. Referred to Senate Finance. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 256 is the WV DEP’s consolidated administrative rule package that includes revisions to the state’s water quality criteria for selenium was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee last week and is up for passage by the full Senate tomorrow. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ Governor Morrisey will have the legislation here introduced this week to consolidate the state Division of Energy with relevant provisions of the WV Public Energy Authority and state Economic Development Office. The bill is intended to consolidate the various coal and energy related provisions of state law within the Division of Energy. We also anticipate legislation advancing this week that modifies the composition of the state Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety by placing the Director of the WV Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training as the Board's Chairman and changing the requirement for the Board to meet monthly to quarterly. SB 678 https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 631 would transfer all powers and responsibilities for flood control and water retention structures from local conservation districts to the West Virginia Conservation Agency and WV DEP. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ SB 686 that would establish a "co tenancy" program for coal reserve development and operations will be considered by the Senate’s Energy, Industry & Mining Committee today. https://www.wvlegislature.gov/ The Association's will host its weekly legislative reception this Thursday, February 5 at the Beni Kedem Shriners Temple from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. All WVCA members are encouraged to attend. In addition to Legislators, executive office holders and state department heads typically attend these events, so please join your Association staff for an evening of fun and "coal talk”. Additional WVCA legislative receptions will be held on February 11, 19, 26, March 5, 11. |
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