West Virginia lawmakers, from U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to the state House Energy and Manufacturing Committee, are siding with and pushing pro-gas and oil industry measures despite heavy costs to consumers and taxpayers. Manchin has opposed a White House liquefied natural gas, or LNG, pause while state lawmakers have advanced bills aimed at protecting the industry.
The West Virginia Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee approved a bill, Senate Bill 596, designed to help the state Department of Environmental Protection gain primary enforcement authority, or primacy, over underground carbon dioxide injection wells. Just two states currently have that authority.
The West Virginia Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee approved a bill, Senate Bill 596, designed to help the state Department of Environmental Protection gain primary enforcement authority, or primacy, over underground carbon dioxide injection wells. Just two states currently have that authority.
The West Virginia Legislature is showing little sign through a quarter of the 2023 state regular legislative session of strengthening air quality and other environmental protections in a state of high concentrations of air pollution from chemical, gas and oil infrastructure. Instead, a bill introduced by House Energy and Manufacturing Committee Chair Bill Anderson, R-Wood, would keep the state Department of Environmental Protection from using community air monitoring data for regulatory purposes.
The West Virginia Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee approved a bill, Senate Bill 231, that would change tax valuation policy for wind power projects. A Clearway Energy Group LLC representative said the bill would drive wind investments out of the state.