West Virginia Senators are pushing for legislation aimed at revitalizing the state’s coal industry in an effort to bring down utility costs for customers. The Coal Renaissance Act seeks to maintain current coal operations while creating new opportunities for the industry. Industry leaders believe the optimal capacity factor for coal plants is 69%, but it currently stands at only 30% to 40%. Another bill, the Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act, incentivizes utility companies to rely on West Virginia coal.
Republican Senator Chris Rose, who chairs the Senate Energy Committee, emphasized that utility companies will only get paid for the energy they generate and must cover the costs of unreliable electricity themselves. Senator Brian Helton expressed the importance of getting coal-fired plants up to capacity to create jobs and lower energy prices in West Virginia.
With the support of President Trump and Governor Morrisey for fossil fuels, lawmakers believe it is an opportune time to increase coal production in the state. The Senate bill and resolution are currently in the Energy Committee but are expected to soon reach the full Senate floor.
These legislative efforts align with the goal of boosting the coal industry, creating jobs, and lowering utility costs for West Virginia residents. Senators are hopeful that ramping up coal production will lead to economic growth and stability in the state.
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