politics
Progress Report 2026 Legislative Review
Written by Kenzie Dye
The West Virginia State Legislature concluded its 60-day session on March 14, 2026, following intense debates over the state’ s future. This year’ s legislative review by West Virginia Executive( WVE) looks at pivotal House bills( HB) and Senate bills( SB) aimed at reshaping the state’ s economy and improving life for West Virginians. Bills covered come from critical industries, ranging from affordable child care to modernizing the state’ s industrial framework.
WVE’ s legislative review starts with bills related to the energy industry. West Virginia continuously works toward a diversified energy portfolio, balancing traditional resources with emerging technologies. During this session, SB 420 and HB 5381 showcased the state’ s strategy to stabilize the power grid and incentivize local energy and production.
ENERGY
Written by Chris Hall SB 420 HB 5381
SENATE: 22-11 SENATE: 33-0 � HOUSE: 91-5
The West Virginia First Energy Act, SB 420, attracted considerable interest during the legislative session with the provisions it incorporated into various energy-related bills. Ultimately, the bill was defeated. Key provisions of the bill would have mandated that state utilities sustain at least a 69 % utilization rate for coal-fired generation facilities, maintain a 30-day on-site coal supply, obtain approval prior to retiring coal and gas plants, limit utility investments in wind and solar energy and enhance oversight of electric markets and resource planning.
Supporters claimed it would restore stability in electric rates by continuing to use in-state coal generation while also maintaining jobs and investment in the state’ s coal and natural gas industries. Opponents claimed the bill would require utilities to use coal even when it’ s not cost-effective, increasing electricity costs for homes and businesses.
HB 5381, introduced at Governor Patrick Morrisey’ s request, stood out as the most significant energy legislation approved during the regular session of 2026. The duties of the Office of Energy are amended to focus on policy development, strategic planning and the establishment of programs aimed at supporting Morrisey’ s initiative for the state to reach 50 gigawatts of power generation by 2050.
The bill mandates the creation of comprehensive energy policy through 2050 prioritizing baseload generation from coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, hydrogen and geothermal sources. The Office of Energy may host stakeholder meetings to gather public input on energy policies from industries, policy groups, developers, utilities, mineral owners and citizens. The bill requires development plans to support generation-based economic benefits, energy infrastructure and grid stabilization strategies and requires energy security planning with emergency exercises. HB 5381 also establishes a procedure and criteria for awarding an energy-ready community designation to demonstrate a community’ s voluntary readiness to welcome electric generation-related development.
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE