WV HB4991

Requires West Virginia coal-fired power plants to maintain a minimum 69% utilization rate on a 12-month rolling average and keep at least 30 days of coal inventory on-site

Prohibits utilities from retiring or reducing capacity of coal or natural gas plants without Public Service Commission approval, which can only be granted if an in-state dispatchable replacement is already operational

Bars utilities from recovering costs or earning regulated returns on new wind or solar projects, and prohibits power-purchase agreements for intermittent generation if utilities fail to meet coal utilization requirements

Conditions any utility rate increase approval on 12 months of full compliance with the coal utilization and fuel inventory requirements

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with the Public Service Commission required to oversee PJM capacity market participation and utilities required to report annually on West Virginia coal and natural gas purchases