A Collaborative Roundup with Our Partners at the West Virginia Environmental Council and West Virginians for Energy Freedom.
Clean Air and Water
- Protect Citizen Air Monitoring – SB 575
SB 575 seeks to weaken citizen air monitoring programs. As the West Virginia Environmental Council (WVEC) reports these programs empower local communities to enhance data collected by government bodies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The bill has remained parked in the Senate Government Organization Committee, and we are waiting to see if it will move before cross-over day.
Take Action: Urge legislators to oppose SB 575 and stand up for public health and the right to know what’s in our air.
- Protect Our Water – SB 592
SB 592 passed the full Senate on Friday, March 14. SB 592 would remove oil, gas, and coal tanks from inspections mandated under current law via the Aboveground Storage Tank Act. We continue to advocate against this bill in the House as it has been referred to the Energy Committee. Thank you to everyone who participated in the People’s Public Hearing during Environmental Day and spoke out against SB 592. Several local television stations, newspapers, and radio reporters reported on our public hearing!
- WCHS News: Environmental groups rally against bill weakening water storage tank regulations
- West Virginia Watch: 11 years after WV chemical spill, advocates speak out against bill to rollback water protections
- The Legislature Today (Starting at 10 mins and 55 seconds): Energy & Environment Stakeholders Weigh In On Legislative Session
Take Action: Contact your lawmakers and demand they vote NO on SB 592 to keep our rivers and streams clean.
Affordable Energy
- Microgrid Program – HB 2014
This bill was introduced by House Speaker Hanshaw (R-Clay) and Senate President Smith (R-Preston) at the request of Governor Morrisey. Both HB 2014 and SB 818 establish the Certified Microgrid Program administered by the Division of Economic Development, allowing new industries/corporations to use their own microgrid and not be part of the PJM grid (the power grid covering West Virginia). WVEC has concerns with both bills and are hearing that they will likely undergo many amendments.
HB 2014 aims to attract data centers to West Virginia through microgrid development but also includes provisions that could significantly raise electricity bills for everyday West Virginians. The bill requires utilities to buy and store excessive amounts of coal, forces them to keep uneconomic coal plants running until at least 2040, and creates new pathways for automatic rate increases—costs that will ultimately be passed on to ratepayers.
Take Action: Protect clean energy progress—say NO to HB 2014.
- Protect Ratepayers – SB 505
SB 505, the so-called “Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act,” is quickly moving through the West Virginia Legislature. Despite its misleading title, this bill will do nothing to ensure reliable or affordable electricity for West Virginians. In fact, it will do the opposite.
Take Action: Urge your lawyers to vote NO on SB 505
- Protect Renewable Energy – SB 763
SB 763 threatens the viability of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for retail and industrial solar energy projects, limiting consumer choice and stifling renewable energy growth. While the bill claims to lower costs, it does the opposite by imposing strict regulations that benefit utility companies at the expense of energy producers and public entities.
Take Action: Urge your senator to vote NO on SB 763.
- Nuclear Expansion Bill – HB 2205
HB 2205 was introduced on February 14 by Delegates Steele (R- Raleigh) and Young (D-Kanawha). The bill expands the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to include regulation of advanced nuclear reactors. It passed the House Energy and Public Works Committee this week and heads to the House floor. The main bill sponsor, Steele, was absent, so no delegates offered amendments in the committee markup stage. We expect some amendments will be offered on the 2nd reading of the House Floor.
- Anti-Science Bill – HB 2493
This so-called “Sound Science in Regulations Act,” was on the House Health and Human Resources Committee agenda on March 18. Than Hitt, Senior Scientist with WV Rivers Coalition, gave a compelling and persuasive testimony against the bill.
The WV Coal Association is also against this bill. Jason Bostic, Vice President of the WV Coal Association, testified that they and the WV Department of Environmental Protection use many site-specific data/reports when making decisions about coal permits. That data would not be allowable if this bill were to pass, making it impossible for the agency to make decisions about mining permits or, frankly, any regulations without hiring more scientists on staff.
This bill raises legitimate concerns from citizens, scientists, and state agencies. These bills 1) prevent state agencies from using public health research, 2) prevent state agencies from using the best available science, and 3) are overly broad and would impact nearly every aspect of state agency regulations, including advisories, rules, and standards that protect public health and the environment. This bill is also being pushed in other states, and we have heard that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is behind the effort.
What You Can Do!
Contact your legislators on key bills above.
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