CHARLESTON — As Congress continues to debate cap-and-trade, the clock will start ticking Wednesday on a measure aimed at energy and the environment in West Virginia.
Gov. Joe Manchin’s proposal to boost alternative and renewable energy sources is among at least 20 legislative measures passed this year that become law July 1.
The plan sets 2025 as the deadline for tapping such sources as solar, wind, biomass and synthetic fuel for at least 25 percent of the electricity sold in the Mountain State.
But with 96 percent of West Virginia’s power now derived from coal, the new law includes gasified, liquefied and waste forms of that fossil fuel under the alternative heading. That category also embraces natural gas, which is also found throughout the state but now accounts for less than 1 percent of the power it produces.
The measure shows West Virginians are “continuing our march toward energy independence, while taking steps to better protect our environment,” Manchin spokesman Matt Turner said.
The legislation had its critics, mostly minority Republicans in the House who questioned the need and the focus on non-coal sources. Some lawmakers had also sought to include nuclear energy in the mix, without success.
Another new law will change West Virginia’s PROMISE college scholarship. Grappling with the successful program’s explosive growth, lawmakers set a funding “floor” for the merit-based award at $4,750 annually.
PROMISE has covered tuition and fees at any of the state’s public colleges and universities, or an equivalent amount at its private institutions, for up to four years. Around 9,300 West Virginians now rely on PROMISE to attend college, and the program’s resulting price tag has surged from $10.2 million in 2002 to $42.3 million this year.
The legislation allows for larger future awards if program funding increases, while slightly increasing its share of lottery revenues. Students who land the scholarship by the end of this year are exempt from the new limit.
Several of the July 1 measures emerged from the public schools section of Manchin’s 2009 agenda. One offers to help counties with after-school and summer programs aimed at third and eighth graders unable to meet critical skills standards. Another will exempt schools from state policies and rules when they win approval to become “innovation zones” designed to boost student achievement.
To lure computer server farms and related high-tech employers, West Virginia will begin offering such businesses breaks on property and consumer sales taxes. Another tax-related change arriving Wednesday offers a personal income tax credit worth up to $2,000 for those who install a solar energy system on their homes.
West Virginia
Energy plan among new laws
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Three aging state power plants to close
FirstEnergy Corp. announced Wednesday it will shut down three aging coal-fired power plants in West Virginia later this year.
The company’s Monongahela Power subsidiary will retire the Albright, Willow Island and Rivesville power stations by Sept. 1, affecting a total of 105 workers. -
Bills would ban children from tanning, tattoos
West Virginia lawmakers are looking to protect children from unhealthy decisions and to give parents more say in their children’s body art choices.
Bills moving through the Legislature would set the minimum age minors can receive their first tattoo and would ban indoor tanning for all children. -
Hackers post officers’ personal information
Hackers affiliated with the group Anonymous obtained personal information for more than 150 police officers from an old website of the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association and posted the data online.
The FBI is investigating, said William Roper, the association’s president and the police chief of Ranson said. -
Bill would clarify secretary of state’s power
A West Virginia legislator wants state law to say clearly that the secretary of state has the authority to verify whether candidates running for election are eligible to hold office.
Sen. Clark Barnes, R-Randolph, introduced a bill Tuesday that would allow the secretary to refuse to certify candidates and keep them off the ballot if they don’t meet all the legal and constitutional requirements to serve. -
USDA kills 8 coyotes at University Town Centre
U.S. Department of Agriculture employees have killed eight coyotes in a hilltop shopping center complex near Morgantown. They aren’t sure how many remain nearby.
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Texting bill evolves, heads to House
West Virginia drivers could get a ticket for texting or talking on their cellphone while driving under a bill the Senate unanimously approved Monday.
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W.Va. texting bill evolves, heads to House
The Senate has approved a bill that would allow police to ticket drivers for texting or talking on their cellphones while on the road.
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Report: Residents lacking savings
A nonprofit group says nearly one in five West Virginia residents have almost no savings or other assets to weather a financial crisis.
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Lawmakers navigate lobby ban, social media
In this era of Twitter and smartphones, citizens and lobbyists alike have all sorts of ways to reach out to lawmakers at a moment’s notice. But the West Virginia Legislature has rules meant to insulate its members from last-minute pressures while they’re debating and voting on bills.
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Firm shows off ‘Guardian Angel’ for miners
A West Virginia company is working on a piece of equipment designed to keep miners safer.
Trinity Resources, headquartered in Putnam County, demonstrated its a mobile mine safety chamber this week at the West Virginia Mining Symposium in Charleston. - More West Virginia Headlines
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Three aging state power plants to close
