Senate approves broader Office of Energy authority and grid stabilization plan

The West Virginia Senate on third reading adopted a floor amendment and passed House Bill 5,381, giving the Office of Energy expanded authority to prepare a comprehensive energy development policy and implement a grid stabilization plan.

The senator from Harrison explained the amendment in lieu, saying the measure empowers the Office of Energy to prepare an implementation plan that "embraces coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydropower, hydrogen, and geothermal energy," and to identify energy‑ready development sites. The amendment also relocates the Office of Coalfield Community Development into the Office of Energy and expands the office's priorities beyond energy‑savings programs.

The Senate cleared the bill by recorded vote (33 yays, 0 nays, 1 absent). The clerk will prepare title amendments and communicate the Senate action to the House.

What it means: The bill seeks to centralize energy planning and give the Office of Energy a mandate to coordinate development, grid stability testing and site designation; the measure references implementing existing state statutes such as the Marcellus Gas and Natural Gas Liquids Development Act and the Comprehensive Grid Stabilization Act as part of its scope.

Next steps: Title amendments were handled on the floor and the clerk will transmit the Senate's passage to the House for enrollment or further action.