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Senate amends SB15 to add safeguards for coal, gas minerals and natural gas storage during carbon capture projects
Summary
On Jan. 21 the West Virginia Senate adopted an amendment to the committee substitute for Senate Bill 15 to explicitly protect coal and gas minerals and natural gas storage when carbon capture projects are proposed, requiring broader geologic review; the amendment was adopted and the bill advanced to third reading.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on Jan. 21 adopted an amendment to the committee substitute for Senate Bill 15 to provide explicit protections for coal and gas minerals and for natural gas storage in the planning and permitting of carbon capture projects.
During second reading, Senator Rose moved to amend SB15 by striking everything after the enacting clause. The junior senator from the second explained the amendment’s purpose: to clarify that protections for coal and gas minerals also extend to natural gas storage, and to require a broader geologic review of underground layers above and below the carbon storage zone to prevent pressure changes or gas movement that could interfere with drilling, mining or future development.
The junior senator from the second urged colleagues to adopt the amendment, saying that it "does not stop carbon storage. It simply ensures that it is planned and permitted in a way that protects gas storage, gas development, and coal resources in the state of West Virginia." Senator Brook asked whether the only substantive difference between the committee-approved text and the amendment was the inclusion of storage and received confirmation that it was.
The presiding officer announced the ayes had it, declared the amendment adopted, and the Clerk ordered the bill to be engrossed and advanced to third reading.
Why it matters: SB15 concerns interaction between carbon storage projects and existing extractive resources. The amendment adds an explicit duty to review geological formations to avoid operational conflicts, which supporters say protects existing industry operations while maintaining the possibility of carbon storage projects.
Quotes: The junior senator from the second said the amendment "simply ensures that it is planned and permitted in a way that protects gas storage, gas development, and coal resources in the state of West Virginia." Senator Brook asked the chair to clarify the difference between versions; the junior senator from the second confirmed storage was the addition.
What’s next: With the amendment adopted, SB15 was ordered engrossed and will advance to third reading for further consideration.
