Proposed legislation opens the door for microgrids and data centers to enter West Virginia
Charleston, W.Va. – Today, Governor Patrick Morrisey stood with natural resource industry and educational leaders to ask the West Virginia Legislature to pass the Power Generation and Consumption Act to expand data center development in the state. The bill will allow companies to develop independent energy grids using natural resources, including coal and gas, and positions West Virginia as a prime location for data centers, AI processing, and cloud computing.
“I am calling on the Legislature to pass the Power Generation and Consumption Act to expand data center development in West Virginia, utilize our coal and natural gas resources, and attract significant investment to the state,” said Governor Morrisey. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for West Virginia to power the future of data, drive economic growth, and bring manufacturing and high-skilled jobs to West Virginia.”
Governor Morrisey was joined by Senate President Randy Smith, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, and a group of education and industry leaders.
“Governor Morrisey is taking a great step toward making West Virginia ‘America’s Energy State,’” said Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GO-WV) President Charlie Burd. “By providing additional pathways for the West Virginia natural gas production, processing, distribution, and transportation companies to serve the nation’s growing need for electricity, our state will be well-situated to attract large investments. The Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia thanks Governor Morrisey and our Legislature for their leadership.”
“We’re very appreciative of the opportunity to work with Governor Morrisey on this important legislation creating an abundance of opportunities for our state and industry,” said President of WV Coal Chris Hamilton. “We are thankful to secure necessary protections so existing electrical systems and coal supplies are not compromised. This effort is compatible with Presidents vision for coal and West Virginia.”
“We fully support the Governor’s approach to thinking innovatively as we work to attract large data centers to West Virginia,” said Jason Pizatella, CEO of the Contractors Association of West Virginia. We stand ready to continue building a better West Virginia using all energy sources available and made more accessible through House Bill 2014.”
“West Virginia has always been an energy leader, and as the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, West Virginia University stands ready to partner with Governor Morrisey, legislators, industry, labor, and higher education to attract investment, spur growth, and help our citizens and business community,” WVU President Gordon Gee said. “With this bill, we are positioning ourselves to be an economic development and innovation leader for data centers and microgrid technology. The West Virginia Power Tech Center will play a critical role in designing and building the workforce to meet our needs.”
“West Virginia is proud to be the energy state that powers the nation’s economy. Marshall University is committed to playing a pivotal role in economic development, helping to propel our state into the future of technology, discovery and business,” said Marshall University President Brad D. Smith.“In an increasingly digital world, we are stepping forward to serve as the Power Tech Center for the nation. Data centers are critical assets that represent the intersection of energy and technology, creating jobs, advancing innovation and increasing prosperity for all. I applaud Governor Morrisey and our state’s leaders for advancing a holistic approach on policy that engages all relevant stakeholders, levels the playing field and streamlines processes to increase the potential for future economic investments and growth.”
“Shepherd University is deeply appreciative and enthusiastically supportive of Governor Morrisey’s introduction of the Power Generation and Consumption Act,” said Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix, Ph.D. “Shepherd University This initiative to advance a Microgrid Development Program and enhance West Virginia’s attractiveness for the development of data centers promises to benefit the entire State. The Governor’s vision for infrastructure investment and technology innovation, along with providing affordable energy to power businesses, will draw new industry to West Virginia, creating new job opportunities and population growth. At Shepherd, we recognize the opportunities this legislation brings to our service area in the Eastern Panhandle, and we look forward to providing support and resources to these new businesses and their workforce. We are witnessing the beginning of a new era of innovation and growth for West Virginia, and the next generation is excited to see it unfold.”
The Power Generation and Consumption Act:
- Allows any plant or facility to participate in the business expansion development program.
- Removes the requirement that microgrid development districts be located on certain lands.
- Eliminates the requirement that electrical service to business development districts be generated from renewable sources.
- Regulates the production of electricity within microgrid districts to foster new energy production while protecting longstanding utilities.
- Provides for the certification and regulation of high impact data centers.
- Reapportions tax revenue to reinvest in West Virginia.
- Establishes the Electronic Grid Stabilization and Security Fund.
- Establishes the Personal Income Tax Reduction Fund.
- Requires the Public Service Commission to take steps to future-proof West Virginia’s grid.
