Dear Governor Morrisey:
Thank you for including us in the development and passage of HB 2014 “Power Generation and Consumption Act". Full implementation of this legislation will serve to solidify West Virginia's place as the nation’s "Energy State".
With coal being the centerpiece of the initial phase of this legislative act, we are eager to work with you and your staff towards shoring up our in-state coal assets so they can provide higher volumes of base load power supplies to serve growing power demands, including new data centers that are incentivized in HB 2014.
While we are excited over this potential growth and the ability to serve new electric load from the state’s coal-fired electric facilities, we also realize the enormity of the work that must be undertaken in a relatively short period of time to move the coal provisions of HB 2014 forward.
Furthermore, the Public Service Commission is authorized and directed to promulgate administrative rules to precipitate the required actions of our state utilities, so they may begin to operate at optimum levels.
In addition to the Public Service Commission, other existing state resources that could play an important role going forward include the Office of Energy, Public Energy Authority, Economic Development and Office of Coalfield Development. These government entities have independent but interrelated responsibilities under existing law to provide important assistance to our coal fleet and assets.
Given the magnitude of work involved with fully implementing HB 2014, we believe it's important that each entity has a defined role and set of projected outcomes. We also recommend that you consider a “special administrator” or “coordinator” to oversee full implementation of this landmark, game changing legislation.
We also reinforce our previous request to reappoint Charlotte Lane as Chair of the WV Public Service Commission. Chairman lane offers superior working knowledge of our states electric ecosystem and has a strong working relationship with all interests before the Commission. Her continued leadership should provide the continuity and forward motion necessary at this critical time.
HB 2014 provides our industry with the stability needed to maximize its contributions to the economic well-being of our state for decades to come. Your personal support and leadership leaves us optimistic over the State of West Virginia unleashing its true energy and economic potential.
We look forward to a meeting with you and your energy team to discuss this important program.
Thank you for this opportunity and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Chris R. Hamilton
President & CEO
Cc: Tom Caffrey, Chief of Staff
Matt Herridge, Secretary of Commerce
Nick Preservati, Deputy Secretary of Commerce