WVEC Weekly Legislative Round-Up

By Lucia Valentine and Kasey Russell, WVEC Lobbyists

The 2025 Legislative Session is at the halfway mark! With crossover day a little over two weeks away, the House and Senate are working to get bills out of committee in time. We focused on water quality standards, protecting state parks, above-ground storage tanks, and more. Thank you to everyone who participated in action alerts this week. 

Here are a few items we followed closely this week: 

Energy

Nuclear Energy

HB 2205, solely sponsored by Delegate Brandon Steele (R-Raleigh), is on the amendment and discussion stage of the House of Delegates Energy and Manufacturing Subcommittee. The bill would expand the WV Public Service Commission (PSC) jurisdiction to govern the issuance of permits for the construction, use and retirement of advanced nuclear reactors. 

Clean Air and Water

Water Quality Standards. 

The WV Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) rule bundle, HB 2233, passed the House of Delegates on March 12th. Delegate Mike Pushkin (D-Kanawha) and Delegate Evan Hansen (D-Monongalia) strongly opposed the bill, arguing that it would allow for increased toxic pollution in rivers and streams, citing the involvement of the attorney for the WV Manufacturers Association and Chemours in writing the committee substitute. Interestingly, the bill’s leading supporter, Delegate Fehrenbacher (R-Wood), is a retired Chemours employee.

During the committee process, a committee substitute to the bill was made, allowing for an emergency rule to be filed when changes occur, partially reinstating some legislative oversight. However, details on the public comment period for permit modifications are still pending. The rule bundle, which could release more toxins, saw all House Democrats and six House Republicans vote against it. It now moves to the Senate and has been referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Community Air Monitoring

SB 575 seeks to weaken citizen air monitoring programs. These programs empower local communities to enhance data collected by government bodies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the WV Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP). Thank you to everyone participating in action alerts to urge senators to oppose this bill. This bill was referred to the Senate Government Organization and has not moved since its introduction. 

Above Ground Storage Tank Act

SB 592 passed the Senate Energy, Industry, and Mining Committee on Monday with only one no vote (Senator Garcia, D-76). There was a committee substitute to exempt coal tanks in “Zones of Critical Concern” (ZCC). Unfortunately, the bill passed the full Senate today (Friday, 3/14) with a 25 to 7 vote and two absent. Thank you to everyone who participated in action alerts and expressed concern for this bill. We will work to stop this bill in the House and anticipate its referral to the Energy and Public Works Committee. 

We look forward to the people’s public hearing that will be held during WVEC’s Environmental Day (E-Day) at the State Capitol on Monday, March 17, outside the House Chamber. Thank you to the WV Citizen Action Group, Sunrise Movement Huntington, WV Rivers Coalition, WV Highlands Conservancy, and Friends of the Cheat for sponsoring the people’s public hearing.

Here is the Facebook event and the registration form to sign-up to speak. 

Anti Science Bills

HB 2493/SB599, the so-called “Sound Science in Regulations Act,” was introduced in the House and Senate, raising legitimate concerns from citizens, scientists, and state agencies. These bills 1) prevent state agencies from using public health research, 2) prevent state agencies from using the best available science, and 3) are overly broad and would impact nearly every aspect of state agency regulations, including advisories, rules, and standards that protect public health and the environment. This bill is also being pushed in other states,and we have heard that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is behind the effort.

Public Lands

ATVs

SB 711 would open all state lands to ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) by removing the prohibition against establishing additional trail systems within state parks and forests. Senator Maynard (R-Wayne) is sponsoring this bill, which was referred to Transportation and Infrastructure and then to Natural Resources Committees. Similar bills have been introduced in the past but have been defeated due to overwhelming public opposition. We will keep you posted if this bill or any other bills attempting to open our public lands to ATVs start moving. 

General Updates

The WVEC team has been working hard to plan E-Day, this Monday, March 17! We are thrilled to have over 30 organizations joining us at the Capitol. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Capitol, meet with their legislators, and hear from speakers on environmental advocacy. 

Haven’t signed up yet? Don’t miss out and register today!

Click here to check out WVEC’s complete list of 2025 Legislative Priorities. 

To reach our lobby team, please email luciavalentine10@gmail.com and russell.kasey@gmail.com