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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Sets Minimum 69% Utilization Goal for Coal-Fired Power Plants and Restricts Wind and Solar Cost Recovery
Last action · March 10, 2026: Markup DiscussionSponsors: Brian Helton and 4 others
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia requires in-state coal-fired electric utilities to aim for a 69 percent operational utilization rate, prohibits utilities from recovering costs for new wind or solar projects, and requires state approval before any coal or natural gas plant can be retired. Regulated electric utilities must also maintain at least a 30-day supply of base fuel by January 1, 2027, and submit detailed annual operational plans.
The measure directly impacts electric utility companies operating in the state by placing strict performance mandates on fossil-fuel generation, banning cost recovery on new intermittent renewable projects unless specific reliability criteria are met, and requiring state regulatory sign-off for plant retirements.
- The West Virginia Public Energy Authority was reactivated in 2023 to assist the state's coal and natural gas industries and coal-based electric generation. context
- The Public Service Commission of West Virginia regulates public utilities operating within the state, determining rates and service standards. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Electric utilities in West Virginia
Electric utilities must meet mandatory minimum utilization rates for coal generation, submit annual operational plans, maintain a 30-day base fuel supply, and secure state approval before retiring any generating facility.
Retail electricity customers
Retail customers are affected by regulatory decisions tied to coal and gas utilization compliance, which directly impacts rate increases and retail electricity rates.
Coal and natural gas industries
In-state fossil fuel industries experience protections and operational incentives designed to sustain dependable baseload generation and preserve employment and investment.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What utilization rate must coal-fired facilities strive to achieve?
Can utilities recover costs for building new wind or solar energy projects?
What is the deadline for utilities to establish a minimum base fuel supply?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the Senate · in House committee.
Procedural history
21 actions- Mar 10, 2026HouseMarkup Discussion
- Mar 5, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Energy and Public Works
- Mar 5, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Energy and Public Works then Finance
- Mar 5, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Mar 5, 2026HouseHouse received Senate message
- Mar 4, 2026SenateOrdered to House
Show 15 earlier actions
- Mar 4, 2026SenateEffective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 324)
- Mar 4, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate (Roll No. 323)
- Mar 4, 2026SenateRead 3rd time
- Mar 4, 2026SenateOn 3rd reading
- Mar 3, 2026SenateRead 2nd time
- Mar 3, 2026SenateOn 2nd reading
- Mar 2, 2026SenateRead 1st time
- Mar 2, 2026SenateImmediate consideration
- Mar 2, 2026SenateCommitteeReported do pass
- Feb 24, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Finance
- Feb 24, 2026SenateCommittee substitute reported, but first to Finance
- Jan 15, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Energy, Industry, and Mining
- Jan 15, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Jan 15, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Energy, Industry, and Mining then Finance
- Jan 15, 2026SenateIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Fossil Fuel Prioritization
The bill shifts state energy regulation toward strict utilization mandates for coal-fired power plants while restricting cost recovery for new intermittent renewable resources.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 85)
- Controversy75Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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