Bill > HB2993

This bill establishes the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2025, which aims to facilitate coal-based electricity generation and coke production for steel-making in West Virginia. The legislation directs the Department of Economic Development to identify and designate suitable sites for coal electric generation projects and coke production plants, taking into account factors such as proximity to coal deposits, existing infrastructure, and environmental regulations. The bill requires the department to identify at least four potential locations for each type of project, ensuring a geographical balance north and south of Interstate 64, and mandates that the department designate at least one site for each purpose by the end of 2026, with an additional site designated annually for the following five years. The legislation emphasizes the economic importance of coal and steel production to West Virginia's economy, and includes performance criteria for the Department of Economic Development, with potential funding reductions if targets are not met. The bill also streamlines the permitting process by requiring the Public Service Commission to adjudicate siting certificate applications within 270 days and highlights the state's intention to support domestic manufacturing and leverage its coal resources for economic growth.

Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2993&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill