WV Rivers 2024 Policy News
Maria Russo, our Clean Water Campaign Coordinator.
Checking in with WV Rivers’ Clean Water Campaign Coordinator Maria Russo
Hi, everyone!
Crossover Day is this coming Wednesday, February 28, 2024! Crossover Day is when a bill must have passed its ‘Chamber of Origin’ to advance to the other chamber. House bills must have passed the House and Senate bills must have passed the Senate to advance through the rest of the legislative session. This makes sure that the other Chamber has time to hold committee meetings and consider the bill before the end of the Session on March 9.
If a bill has not passed its Chamber by Crossover Day, that bill is considered “dead” – not in play anymore this session. This update lets you know what is moving, what is stalled, and what we are keeping an eye on.
For clean water, healthy communities, and conserved public lands,
Maria
SB 688: Passed the Senate – Next Step: Advocacy in the House
Image of Sen. Stover speaking on the Senate Floor regarding his amendment to SB 688.
Thank you for your advocacy on SB 688! You sent almost 800 messages in 24 hours in support of an amendment that would protect our State Parks and Rail Trails. The Amendment failed in a close voice vote. The Senate then passed SB 688 by a 31-3 vote.
We are concerned with the wording of SB 688 which seems to open all our public lands to extensive timbering and undefined “economic development.” The bill also provides for secret insider contracts without public input or a competitive bidding process.
Proponents of the bill say that only dead trees, underbrush, and invasive species would be removed. However, the vague language leaves our state lands at risk.
We still have time to advocate for amendments or stop this problematic bill. The House will consider this bill next. First, it will go to the House Committee on Government Organization. If that committee approves the bill, the entire house will consider the bill.
What can you do?
First, take a moment to thank Senator Stover, Senator Caputo, and Senator Woelfel for voting NO on SB 688 and standing up for your public lands.
Be on the lookout for future alerts asking the House committee to amend the bill to protect our public lands, and contacting your Delegate to vote NO on the House floor.
Bills on the Move!
These bills have crossed over – or have had at least one committee hearing.
- Senate Bill 171: This bill will prohibit county commissions from adopting laws that exceed state laws regarding agricultural operations. This bill is concerning in that it strips away local governing authority. This bill has been passed by both Chambers and sent to the Governor to sign.
- Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 196: This bill defines matters about Rail Trails and limits use to nature-based, non-motorized recreation. The bill has passed the Senate and is referred to the House Committee on Government Organization.
- Senate Bill 426: The bill, which aims to enact the West Virginia Recreational Trails Development Act, has passed the Senate and is referred to the House Committee on Government Organization.
- House Bill 4967: This bill, which streamlines the Voluntary Remediation and Redevelopment Act (“VRRA”), provides new liability protections for persons and companies who wish to purchase and redevelop former industrial properties that are or may be contaminated by historical use. This bill is being voted on by the House.
- Committee Substitute for House Bill 5045: This bill provides further assurances to the United States Environmental Protection Agency regarding the State of West Virginia’s application for primary enforcement authority over underground carbon dioxide sequestration programs in the State of West Virginia. This bill has passed both Chambers.
- House Bill 5076: This bill aims to clarify the process of well plugging, adding new conditions for wells to NOT be promptly plugged. This bill has passed the House Committee on Energy and Mining but will have to pass through the House Judiciary before making it to the floor.
Other Bills We Are Watching
- Senate Bill 532: (Similar to HB5414) The Orphan Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act of 2024 prevents oil and gas wells from being orphaned on surface owner’s land with no responsible driller or operator with the resources to plug the well. The Senate version of the bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining, and we are watching the agenda to see when it will be up for discussion.
- Senate Bill 638 (similar to HB 5626) – The “Community Solar Pilot Program” allows subscribers to purchase an interest in a solar facility and use credits against their electric utility costs.
- House Bill 4834: (Similar to SB 638) Establishes a community solar program for subscribers to gain credits on their utility bills. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Manufacturing.
- House Bill 4966: This bill allows for the plugging of oil and gas wells using subsurface monuments, meaning that people would not know where underground wells have been plugged. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Manufacturing.
- House Bill 5013: This bill amends the definition of managed timberland to include certain parcels of land that are within a subdivision as long as they are managed for timber production and harvesting. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Manufacturing.
- House Bill 5048: This bill removes the cap on the number of gas and other types of wells for which operators are required to pay annual oversight fees. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Manufacturing.
- House Bill 5076: This bill, “Relating to Well Plugging Authority,” adds conditions for wells that will not be plugged promptly.
- House Bill 5422: This bill requires the Public Service Commission to adopt a rule mandating electric utilities to provide full retail credit to customer generators for electricity delivered to the utility under a net metering arrangement and requires the commission to consider increasing allowed kilowatt capacity for commercial customer-generators. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Manufacturing.
Meeting Advocates at Black Policy Day, Environmental Day, and Flood Resiliency Day
Public Lands Campaign Coordinator Mike Jones (left) and Communications Manager Maggie Stange (right) with interns from WVU’s Center for Resilient Communities at E-Day. Throughout the day, students talked to attendees about clean water and healthy communities.
WV Rivers Coalition and West Virginians for Public Lands were active at this year’s Black Policy Day, Environmental Day, and Flood Resiliency Day in the Capitol.
Black Policy Day is a transformative event held annually at the Capitol in West Virginia organized by Crystal Good (Black By God), Katonya Hart (Partnerships for the Arts & Education), and Dr. Shanequa Smith (WV Black Voter Impact Initiative). It is more than a single-day gathering; it represents a powerful movement to address policy issues affecting Black communities to unite communities and foster cooperation. WV Rivers was there to advocate for clean water for all!
E-Day is an opportunity for environmentally concious residents to present information and meet with representatives on a wide range of issues, including community solar and net metering, orphan gas wells, and conserving our public lands. This year’s event brought 150 students and concerned citizens along with 35 environmental groups! Attendees sent a message the decision-makers that we care about clean water, healthy communities, and protected public lands.
Flood Resiliency Day brought together state and federal agencies working on flood mitigation and response. Due to our terrain and the impact of climate change, WV is particularly vulnerable to flooding. WV Rivers advocated for funding for the Flood Resiliency Fund and assessing, improving, and restoring wetlands as a nature-based flood mitigation technique.
Special days at the Capitol focus attention on issues. Advocacy, however, is a year-round project. Want some tips on effective advocacy? Check out these resources from WVRC, WVEC, or WV Trails.
