Signed by Governor Joe Manchin III

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that encourages the use of alternative and renewable energy in West Virginia. This includes acts such as creating a system of tradable alternative and renewable energy resource credits, and providing these credits to citizens and businesses for various actions such as reduction of greenhouse emissions or use of alternative fuels. Also requires the Public Service Commission to adopt certain requirements for electric facilities.

Highlights:

-Requires the Public Service Commission to establish a system of tradable credits for the generation and sale of renewable and alternative energy. Includes in the definition of alternative energy advanced coal technology, coal bed methane, natural gas, and waste coal. Allows for the granting of credits for certain greenhouse gas emission offset and reduction projects (Sec. 24-2F-4). -Requires that by January 1, 2025, an electric utility shall each year own credits in an amount equal to at least twenty-five percent of the electric energy sold by the electric utility to retail customers in this state in the preceding calendar year (Sec. 24-2F-5). -Requires the commission to determine whether each electric utility doing business in this state is in compliance with this section beginning 2015. Failure to comply will result in fines (Sec. 24-2F-5). -Establishes the Alternative and Renewable Energy Resources Research Fund, which is to be jointly administered by the Public Service Commission and the Division of Energy. Moneys in the fund shall be used to award matching grants for demonstration, commercialization, and research and development projects relating to alternative and renewable energy resources and energy efficiency technologies (Sec. 24-2F-11).

Full Bill Text