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.
The bill includes several long-sought changes that aim to level the playing field across the energy sector:
- Phased reduction of certain clean energy tax credits, such as the PTC, ITC, and EV incentives;
- Sunset of electric vehicle and charging station subsidies by late 2025 and mid-2026;
- A 10-year delay in methane emissions fees, pausing costly mandates that disproportionately impacted U.S. producers;
- recognizes the importance of base load power generation for balancing and securing the nation's electric grid;
- incorporates certain coals with metallurgical properties as critical minerals for advanced manufacturing.
"These provisions support a more balanced approach to energy development while reaffirming the importance of coal as a dependable source of affordable, baseload power. The legislation provides greater certainty for operators, workers, and communities that rely on a strong coal economy— particularly in West Virginia," Hamilton said.
The West Virginia Coal Association extends its appreciation to President Trump, Vice President Vance, Speaker Johnson, Senate President Thune, Senators Justice and Capito, Representatives Miller and Moore, and others in Congress who supported this measure. The Association remains committed to working with policymakers to ensure that coal continues to play a critical role in America’s energy future.