The Laws Powering West Virginia’s Energy Revolution
West Virginia is quietly rewriting the rules of industrial development. Through a trio of bold legislative moves—House Bill 2002, House Bill 2014, and Senate Bill 4001—the state has positioned itself as one of the most energy-friendly environments in the country for Bitcoin miners, AI compute farms, advanced manufacturers, and DePIN infrastructure. These laws don’t just support energy-intensive industries—they empower them to build, power, and scale on their own terms. Here's how the Mountain State is turning policy into a platform for sovereign energy and industrial revival.
🏛 HB 2002 – One-Stop Business Permitting Law (2025)
Purpose: Create a centralized digital permitting platform for businesses pursuing infrastructure and energy development projects in West Virginia.
🔑 Key Provisions:
§5B-2G-3: Establishes a unified online dashboard for all business permitting—across agencies like DEP, DOH, State Fire Marshal, etc.
§5B-2G-5: Permits must be processed within statutory deadlines or businesses are entitled to fee refunds.
§5B-2G-6: Allows for concurrent permitting (agencies work in parallel, not in sequence), accelerating start times for site development.
⚡ Industrial Use Case:
Bitcoin miners, AI data centers, battery manufacturers, and other high-load users benefit from reduced soft costs, predictable timelines, and fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
⚡ HB 2014 – Power Generation and Consumption Act (2025)
Purpose: Unlock Certified Microgrid Districts and allow energy-intensive industries to generate and consume their own power with minimal regulation.
🔑 Key Provisions:
§24-2H-3: Defines Certified Microgrid Districts and High-Impact Data Centers as legally distinct energy zones.
§24-2H-5: Exempts these districts from:
Public Service Commission (PSC) rate regulation
Local zoning/permitting
Building code enforcement (if health & safety standards met)
§24-2H-6(c): Microgrid operators can sell up to 10% of their capacity on the PJM wholesale market without triggering utility status.
§24-2H-7: Mandates interconnection cooperation from local utilities within 90 days.
§11-13GG-4: Enables tax incentives for qualifying industries located inside Certified Districts.
💰 Revenue Sharing Mechanism:
When a Certified District is operational and income tax is collected from tenants/workers, the law mandates automatic distribution of that revenue:
Revenue Source and Allocation
Personal Income Tax (PIT) from site employees
→ 30% to host county
→ 10% to all counties statewide
→ 50% to state income tax reduction fund
→ 5% to grid stabilization fund
→ 5% to low-income energy assistance grant pool
This ensures local governments and residents benefit directly from hosting energy-heavy infrastructure.
🧱 SB 4001 – Special Industrial Microgrid District (2022)
Purpose: Create a one-off legal carveout for the Berkshire Hathaway Energy + TIMET project in Ravenswood, WV. It served as the pilot that later inspired HB 2014.
🔑 Key Provisions:
Exempts BHE/TIMET campus from PSC oversight, allowing it to generate its own renewable power.
Allows the company to construct and operate a private utility system without applying as a public utility.
Establishes first use of state-designated “microgrid district” powers.
🏗 Certified Microgrid District – Case Example
✅ Ravenswood (Jackson County, WV)
Developer: BHE Renewables
Tenants: TIMET (Titanium Melt Plant), Our Next Energy (Battery Factory)
Energy System:
106+ MW solar array
50 MW LFP battery storage (Powin Centipede™)
Fully off-grid capable
Status (as of June 2025):
Solar operational (18 MW online)
Battery factory built, hiring 100+
Titanium plant launching Fall 2025
Legislative Backbone:
SB 4001 (initial exemption)
HB 2014 (expansion of rights and revenue mechanisms)
HB 2002 (used for permitting streamlining)
🧠 Summary: Why This Matters for Energy-Intensive Builders
FEATURE LEGAL TOOL WHY IT HELPS
Fast track permits HB 2002 Speeds up development timelines
Energy self-generation HB 2014 / SB 4001 Reduces dependence on utilities
Local tax benefits HB 2014 Counties are eager to host your project
Wholesale sales allowed HB 2014 Monetize excess capacity
Grid freedom + battery storage All three laws Enables stability + sovereignty
📣 Final Thought
West Virginia is not just welcoming energy-intensive businesses—it’s rewriting the rules to empower them. Whether you’re a miner, manufacturer, DePIN builder, or AI operator, these laws provide a clear, fast, and profitable path to energy and infrastructure freedom.
Want help navigating the statutes, building relationships with counties, or siting your project in a Certified Microgrid District? Steel Valley Bitcoin is here to support.
📧 Contact: info@steelvalleybitcoin.org
🛠 Build smarter, power stronger—in West Virginia.