Bill > HB4012

This bill aims to streamline the regulatory process for utility companies in West Virginia when they are building and maintaining electric power generation and transmission facilities. Key changes include reducing the statutory approval time for a "certificate of public convenience and necessity" (a permit required before a utility can build new facilities) from 270 to 240 days, and for water and sewer projects from 225 to 190 days. It also raises the projected cost threshold for extended approval times for high-voltage transmission lines (220kV and above) from $50 million to $100 million, and shortens the extended approval time for these lines from 400 to 360 days. The bill also mandates that applications for high-voltage lines must consider alternatives, including advanced transmission technologies, and allows the Public Service Commission (PSC), at its discretion, to waive the requirement for a certificate for maintenance and repair of existing high-voltage facilities. Finally, it reduces the approval time for "siting certificates" (permits for certain electric generating facilities) from 300 to 270 days.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4012&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill