Charleston, W.Va. – House Bill 2014, legislation to incentivize microgrid and data center development in West Virginia, became effective this month, and with it, the implementation of rules and regulations to maintain and strengthen the state’s coal industry.  

Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “The bill will sustain demand for West Virginia coal, protect jobs, and preserve the economic stability of our mining communities, and through that, our state’s economy. This critically important legislation prioritizes coal for existing and new energy capacity and requires utilities to maintain their plants to operate at optimum levels.” 

The West Virginia Coal Association today welcomed the final passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) by Congress and its anticipated signing by President Trump. The legislation marks an important step toward restoring balance and accountability in American energy policy.

"For years, the coal industry has been burdened by excessive regulation and uncertainty. The OBBB helps reverse that trend by implementing reforms that ease permitting, improve access to federal lands, and eliminate policies that placed domestic producers at a disadvantage," said Chris Hamilton, president of the WVCA.

America's Coal Associations comprised of the nation's state Coal Associations and major coal advocacy groups issued the following statement in response to the final passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) by Congress and its expected signing by President Trump:

“Today marks a landmark victory for our nation's coal miners, their families, and every community that depends on coal for its livelihood said Judy Colgan, Executive director, Rocky Mountain Mining Institute. 

"The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill is a decisive blow to the regulatory overreach that has stifled our industry and jeopardized America's energy independence for far too long," said Krissy Lilljedahl, Administrative Director, Texas Mining and Reclamation Association.

The US Environmental Protection Agency will “reconsider” a rule limiting CO2 emissions from power plants, the federal agency said on March 12, advancing President Donald Trump’s vow to undo the landmark climate regulation.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency would review the 2024 carbon standard along with more than two dozen other Biden administration actions, including its regulations on power plants’ mercury emissions and wastewater, and its tailpipe emissions rules for vehicles. 

Zeldin also vowed to go after the EPA’s landmark 2009 “endangerment finding,” which gave the agency the statutory authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. 

Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Public Service Commission recently issued orders that, once implemented, will extend the life of state coal-fired power plants, and through that, reinvigorate coal production in our region.

Based on provisions included House Bill 2014, legislation to incentivize microgrid and data center development in West Virginia, the PSC orders require West Virginia’s regulated utilities to update their Integrated Resource Plans to include a detailed plant upgrade and maintenance plan, improvement compliance schedule, and cost estimate for ensuring the operation of each generating unit through their planned retirement date. The supplemental integrated resource plan shall also include an analysis of the action necessary to extend the life of each generating unit beyond their planned retirement date.