Senate Energy Committee Advances Bills Focused on Coal Markets, Infrastructure, and Energy Costs

Charleston, WV – The Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining advanced four bills Thursday aimed at supporting West Virginia’s coal industry, improving infrastructure, and shaping future energy policy.
Senate Bill 20 would create the Stable Energy Rates Protection Act. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to provide annual reports to lawmakers and places limits on what the PSC can consider when approving rate increases. It now heads to the full Senate after first being referred to the Committee on Government Organization.
Senate Bill 25 would establish the West Virginia Coal Marketing Program, designed to expand coal markets and support communities affected by changes in the coal industry. The program would be administered by the Governor. The bill moves to the Finance Committee before reaching the full Senate.
Senate Bill 131 would offer a severance tax credit to encourage private companies to improve highways, roads, and bridges. Lawmakers say the goal is to boost infrastructure investment tied to energy production. It also moves to Finance with a recommendation for passage.
The committee also advanced Senate Bill 424, known as the Affordable Electricity and Economic Growth Act of 2026. The bill aims to support coke production and steelmaking by directing the Department of Economic Development to identify suitable industrial sites that meet air‑quality and energy‑use requirements. It, too, heads to Finance before reaching the full Senate.