Legislature repeals Alternative Energy Act - The Coal Valley News

CHARLESTON â€" A Boone County delegate says he was intstrumental in helping to repeal the Alternative Energy Act.

District 23 delegate Joshua Nelson (R-Boone) said he campaigned heavily on fighting for coal and coal jobs.

“For a couple of years, I spoke about how laws like the state’s “Cap and Trade” law would kill coal jobs, and vowed to repeal the law,” he said. “Well, last week I made good on that promise, with the help of some of his colleagues. Governor Tomblin signed House Bill 2001, the first bill of the 82nd Legislature and the law alternative energy portfolio fully repealed.”

Nelson was the first co-sponsor of the bill with Delegate Marty Gearheart being the lead.

Debate was heavy in the Chamber, and Nelson gave a passionate speech about the need to repeal the law.

“Since 2012, six plants have shut down, partially due to anticipation from increased scrutiny, from bills like this, and from the EPA, and from the anti-coal, anti-coal miner climate that exists in Washington, D.C.,” said Nelson. “From 2011 to 2014, we have lost 7,000 coal jobs in the state of West Virginia, and that is completely unacceptable, and almost solely due to market manipulation.”

Some delegates were fiercely against repealing the law.

“We are going to wear coal around our neck, like a yoke that will drag all of us down,” Delegate Nancy Guthrie said.

The bill ultimately passed by an overwhelming majority.

When Governor Tomblin signed the bill into law, Nelson made a public statement saying, “Cap and trade is gone in West Virginia. Gov. Tomblin signed the law. Very honored to be the first co-sponsor of this bill. It is going to take time, but let’s fight and get miners back to work.”

Nelson also authored a bill that has passed the House of Delegates, HB 2004.

“The bill requires that West Virginia DEP shall submit any plan that is written with the intention of being submitted to the EPA for compliance approval must first have the approval of the Legislature,” Nelson explained. “The bill is aimed at the anticipated Clean Power Plant proposal, which is expected to have a ruling around July. If CPP becomes law, power plants will be required to reduce carbon emissions by close to 30 percent, resulting in 30 percent less coal use, and increase energy costs by approximately 28 percent to the user.

During debate Nelson stated, “The Clean Power Plan would be very difficult for the country to deal with. This bill sets precedent for what Congress should do to the federal EPA. In my opinion, the EPA has overstepped its boundaries.”

Nelson said this bill should send a “clear message” to lawmakers in Washington, D.C. that no agencies should write laws without oversight.

Fred Pace is the editor for the Coal Valley News. He can be contacted at fpace@civitasmedia.com or at 304-369-1165, or on Twitter @fcpace62