September 16, 2026 - Energy industry leaders in West Virginia have applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent action to repeal most of the 2024 greenhouse gas requirements for coal- and natural gas-fired power plants, saying the move could help preserve reliable generation and create new opportunities for West Virginia natural gas.

The EPA said the final rule repeals most of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants and is projected to result in $310 billion in savings. The agency also proposed rescinding the remaining greenhouse gas emissions standards for the power sector.

West Virginia industry leaders said the changes could help prevent the premature retirement of existing power plants while allowing companies to invest in generation, maintenance and modernization.

"Today's action is a win for West Virginia coal, our electric grid, and the families and businesses that depend on affordable, reliable power," said Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. "The prior rule threatened to force the premature retirement of dependable coal-fired generation and impose enormous compliance costs that ultimately would have been paid by ratepayers."

Rebecca McPhail, executive director of the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia, also expressed support for the EPA's action. McPhail joined EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and other federal officials in Houston for the announcement.

She said eliminating future compliance costs could benefit the industry because those costs would no longer factor into decisions involving plant operations, investment and utility rates.

"Reducing those costs can help prevent the premature retirement of existing generation, preserve reliable generating capacity and free capital for plant maintenance, modernization, and other investments that directly benefit the electric system," she said.

Hamilton said removing what he called "burdensome" federal carbon mandates will help preserve dispatchable electric generation, protect jobs and reduce pressure for potential increases to household and business electric bills.

"For West Virginia consumers, this is fundamentally about affordability and reliability," Hamilton said. "Keeping proven coal generation available means protecting families from higher power bills and ensuring our communities, hospitals, schools, manufacturers, and small businesses have the electricity they need when they need it."

McPhail was more cautious about the potential impact on electricity rates, noting that rates are affected by numerous factors, including fuel prices, transmission costs, regional capacity markets, infrastructure investments and utility commissions.

"The best way to look at it is ... this approach is avoiding unnecessary regulatory expenses [and] can help moderate future rate increases and reduce the amount of additional costs that must ultimately be recovered from customers," she said.

McPhail said the EPA's action also could have positive effects on energy-sector employment and production over time as cost savings move through the industrial supply chain.

"West Virginia is aggressively pursuing investment in natural gas-fired generation which would offer significant economic impact. The action provides critical regulatory certainty for companies considering investments in new dispatchable generation," she said.

"At a time when demand is predicted to grow at unprecedented levels, we should be looking for practical ways to add and preserve reliable generation. West Virginia can increase its contribution to demand by further developing the state's abundant natural gas resources to produce electricity."

McPhail said West Virginia has an opportunity to put more of its natural gas resources toward electricity generation as electricity demand is expected to grow significantly nationwide.

"With these moves by the federal government, the stage is set for natural gas to play a bigger role in the power generation mix in West Virginia," McPhail said. "We look forward to working with West Virginia lawmakers and regulators to unleash the great potential for natural gas generation."

McPhail said keeping power stations viable would support coal and natural gas sales, benefiting producers, contractors, equipment suppliers, transportation providers and other skilled workers throughout the supply chain.

The Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia said the state's natural gas and oil industry paid $318.3 million in severance taxes and $122.8 million in property taxes during fiscal year 2024-25 and supports approximately 73,000 jobs.

"In West Virginia, that activity will also support mineral owners, local businesses and state and local tax bases," McPhail said.

McPhail said a regulatory framework that provides certainty for natural gas generation could allow West Virginia to increase electricity production while creating jobs and supporting economic development.

"At a time when demand is predicted to grow at unprecedented levels, we should be looking for practical ways to add and preserve reliable generation," McPhail said. "A reasonable regulatory framework gives West Virginia a better opportunity to turn our abundant natural gas resources into dependable electricity, jobs and economic growth."

Hamilton and the Coal Association have urged the EPA to finalize its proposal to further change the remaining power-sector greenhouse gas standards. Hamilton said doing so would protect reliable energy, competitive electric rates and West Virginia's energy-producing communities.