West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB4971: Relating to preliminary planning for future electric substations near industrial parks on certain high voltage transmission lines
Status: Passed one chamber, February 25, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §24-2-1s, relating to high voltage transmission lines; requiring that certain reports pertaining to the proximity of certain electric substations to business ready sites, as certified by the Secretary of Commerce, be included in certain applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain high voltage transmission lines; and providing for site preparation work for these approved substations to be performed upon Public Service Commission approval. ARTICLE 2. POWERS AND DUTIE.
From the engrossed text, February 19, 2026:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §24-2-1s, relating to high voltage transmission lines; requiring that certain reports pertaining to the proximity of certain electric substations to business ready sites, as certified by the Secretary of Commerce, be included in certain applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain high voltage transmission lines; and providing for site preparation work for these approved substations to be performed upon Public Service Commission approval. ARTICLE 2. POWERS AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. §24-2-1s. High voltage transmission lines and required evaluation of substations near approved business ready sites. (a) Legislative findings. - The Legislature finds that modern high voltage electric transmission infrastructure is essential to our state's electric reliability, grid resilience, and economic development and the availability of sites suitable for electric substations located near business ready sites is critical to attracting manufacturing, data centers, advanced materials facilities, and other large electric load users that create high paying jobs and expand our tax base. It is the intent of the Legislature that new high voltage transmission lines provide direct and measurable economic development benefits to the communities through which they pass. (b) Applicability. - This section applies to any electric transmission line proposed for construction within the State of West …