WV HB4971

Requires electric transmission lines with operating voltage of 400 kilovolts or greater to include construction of a substation near any industrial park within 5 miles of the line as a condition of Public Service Commission approval

Limits required substations to no more than one per 40-mile segment of transmission line within West Virginia; exempts lines that span less than 20 miles within state borders

Substations must be completed within 2 calendar years after the transmission line is energized, though concurrent construction is not required

Prohibits the Public Service Commission from approving transmission line routes designed to avoid substation requirements by bypassing industrial parks when reasonable alternative routes exist

Allows transmission line owners to request alternative substation locations if they can demonstrate a planned industrial user or development project will be operational within 2 years of the line being energized