The bill establishes the Power Generation and Consumption Act of 2025 in West Virginia, introducing the Certified Microgrid Program under the Division of Economic Development. Key amendments include the renaming of existing programs, the removal of the requirement for electrical service in business development districts to come from renewable sources, and the introduction of a certification process for high impact data centers. The legislation allows any plant or facility to participate in the business expansion development program and prohibits payment in lieu of taxes and tax increment financing under certain conditions related to electricity generation and distribution. Additionally, it creates the Electric Grid Stabilization and Security Fund to support electric grid initiatives and outlines the responsibilities of certified microgrid districts and high impact data centers, including compliance with local taxes while being exempt from certain regulations.

The bill also details the taxation process for high impact data centers, specifying how property taxes will be assessed and distributed to local governments, ensuring that communities benefit from these developments. It includes a sunset provision for the bill's provisions, set to expire on December 31, 2055, and mandates the Public Service Commission to oversee electric utilities to maintain reliable generation capacity. Furthermore, it restricts public utilities from using specific funds to retire or close electric generating plants, ensuring operational capacity is preserved. If a utility serving both West Virginia and external areas is ordered to cease operations, it can recover costs from West Virginia customers, contingent upon a commission's determination that the plant should continue operating.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5B-2-21, 24-2-1d, 24-2-1q, 24-2-15, 24-2-19, 5B-2-21a, 5B-2-21b, 5B-2N-2a, 11B-2-33, 11-6N-1, 11-6N-2, 11-6N-3, 11-6N-4, 11-6N-5
Committee Substitute: 5B-2-21, 24-2-1d, 24-2-1q, 24-2-15, 24-2-19, 5B-2-21a, 5B-2-21b, 5B-2N-2a, 11B-2-33, 11-6N-1, 11-6N-2, 11-6N-3, 11-6N-4, 11-6N-5
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 5B-2-21, 24-2-1d, 24-2-1q, 24-2-15, 24-2-19, 5B-2-21a, 5B-2-21b, 5B-2N-2a, 11B-2-33, 11-6N-1, 11-6N-2, 11-6N-3, 11-6N-4, 11-6N-5
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 5B-2-21, 24-2-1d, 24-2-1q, 24-2-15, 24-2-19, 5B-2-21a, 5B-2-21b, 5B-2N-2a, 11B-2-33, 11-6N-1, 11-6N-2, 11-6N-3, 11-6N-4, 11-6N-5