West VirginiaWest Virginia’s energy office plans for power and security
West Virginia’s Office of Energy prepares long-term energy plans and a security plan, then tests emergency readiness with invited groups.
What it does
The Office of Energy prepares a state energy policy through at least 2050 and sends leaders a five-year plan for carrying it out. The policy must address reliable, affordable energy and government operations during emergencies.
The Office of Energy identifies and designates sites that may suit several kinds of electric generation projects. For a project at a designated site, the Public Service Commission must hold hearings and issue a final decision on a siting application within 270 days.
The Office of Energy prepares a confidential plan for energy security and holds exercises with invited agencies, utilities, and other groups. It sends state leaders a confidential report with recommendations after each exercise.
Argument forRegular emergency exercises could help state, federal, and utility teams find gaps in their plans and improve how they communicate during an energy emergency.
Argument againstKeeping energy planning records and security information confidential could limit the public’s ability to review information behind state energy decisions.
More detail
The Office of Energy develops a long-term energy policy and five-year development plans. The policy covers coal, natural gas, nuclear power, hydropower, hydrogen, and geothermal energy, among other sources. The policy must address energy infrastructure that supports essential government data, systems, and services during emergencies or disasters. The first policy and development plan are due December 1, 2026. The Office submits another development plan every five years and must review the policy before it expires.
The Office of Energy identifies and designates suitable sites for electric generation projects. Sites may be designated for coal, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, natural gas, or nuclear electric generation projects in West Virginia. The Office considers energy supplies, transmission access, and air-quality requirements. A site designation does not itself approve a project or authorize electricity sales to state end users. The 270-day decision period begins when the siting application is filed.
The Office of Energy prepares a state energy security plan and conducts emergency exercises. The plan addresses the state’s energy system, possible threats, risks, and emergency response roles. The Office must keep the plan and related information confidential. It must invite specified state, federal, utility, and university representatives to exercises and give them at least 30 days’ written notice. The first exercise must happen by July 1, 2027, with another every two years. The Office sends its report within 30 days after each exercise.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 144, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 30Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026Major
- Mar 25To Governor 3/25/26To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026 - Senate JournalMajor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded PREVIOUS QUESTION. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded PREVIOUS QUESTION. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026 - House JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 704)
- Mar 14Motion for previous question adopted (Roll No. 703)
- Mar 14Motion for previous question adopted (Roll No. 702)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 14Senate requests House to concur
- Mar 14Title amendment adopted
- Mar 14Com. title amendment withdrawn by unanimous consent
- Mar 14Passed Senate (Roll No. 697)Passed Senate
- Mar 14Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 14Committee amendment withdrawn by unanimous consent
- Mar 14Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 14On 3rd reading with right to amend
- Mar 13Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 13Immediate consideration
- Mar 13Reported do passMinor
- Mar 10On 2nd reading, referred to RulesMinor
- Mar 10Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 10Immediate consideration
- Mar 10Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendmentMinor
- Mar 4To Energy, Industry, and Mining
- Mar 4To Energy, Industry, and Mining
- Mar 4Introduced in SenateMinor
- Mar 2Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded PREVIOUS QUESTION. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2Passed House (Roll No. 245)Passed House
- Mar 2Motion for previous question adopted (Roll No. 244)
- Mar 2Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 2On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 27Amendment rejected (Voice vote)Minor
- Feb 27Amendment rejected (Voice vote)Minor
- Feb 27Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Feb 27Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 27On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 26Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 26On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 25By substitute, do pass
- Feb 18Markup Discussion
- Feb 9To House Energy and Public WorksMinor
- Feb 9Introduced in HouseMinor
- Feb 9To Energy and Public Works
- Feb 9Filed for introductionIntroduced
Environment & EnergyEmergency Management