Bill > SB82

This bill establishes an excise tax, which is a tax on the production of electricity from wind and solar power sources in West Virginia, starting January 1, 2027, and paid by the electricity producer. The tax rate is set at $3 per megawatt hour, or any portion thereof, of electricity produced. Certain entities are exempt, including the federal government, the state of West Virginia, and any county or municipality. Additionally, electricity produced for personal consumption, up to 500 kilowatt hours in a 24-hour period, is also exempt. New wind turbine or solar panel facilities will be exempt from this tax for the first three years after they begin producing electricity for sale. The bill outlines procedures for reporting and paying the tax annually by February 1st, with the state Tax Division responsible for collection. It also details penalties and interest for delinquent taxes, including an annual interest rate tied to the average prime interest rate plus four percent, with a minimum of 12% and a maximum of 18%, and penalties for late filing or negligence. Delinquent taxes will create a lien on the owner's property, taking precedence over most other liens except those filed or recorded before the tax was due. Finally, the proceeds from this tax will be distributed to all 55 counties based on the number of volunteer fire departments in each county that are compliant with the West Virginia Checkbook fiscal reporting system, and these counties will then distribute the funds to those compliant volunteer fire departments.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=82&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill