This bill aims to amend existing West Virginia laws to reinforce coal as the primary energy source during emergency weather events and to regulate the construction of wind power facilities. It introduces a new provision stating that during emergencies, clean-burning West Virginia coal is deemed the only reliable power source, while other energy forms like wind and solar are considered inadequate. Additionally, the bill imposes a limit on the number of permits for wind power projects, allowing only two new projects per year, and establishes that for each new wind facility, there will be a corresponding reduction in coal severance taxes for coal mines and plants.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the tax treatment of wind power projects, allowing for a salvage valuation of wind turbines and towers while also specifying that the portion of the facility's value assigned salvage value may not exceed 79 percent. It also includes a provision for a 5 percent reduction in coal severance tax for each new wind power project constructed in the state. Overall, the legislation seeks to balance the interests of coal production with the development of renewable energy sources while ensuring coal remains a dominant energy provider in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5C-2-1, 11-6A-5a, 11-13A-6