West Virginia House Bill HB2231

West Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/12/25

Caption

Relating to authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate a legislative rule relating to emission standards for hazardous air pollutants

Summary

HB2231 is a legislative rule authorization bill that allows the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to adopt a rule on emission standards for hazardous air pollutants. The bill does not itself set new emissions limits or create a separate regulatory program; instead, it approves a previously filed and revised rule, identified as 45 CSR 34, for implementation under existing statutory authority. The measure references a rule that was filed in the State Register in August 2024, modified to address objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, and refiled in November 2024. By authorizing the rule, the Legislature would permit the DEP to move forward with standards governing hazardous air pollutant emissions, which can affect regulated industries, compliance obligations, and environmental enforcement in the state.

Impact

If enacted, HB2231 would amend West Virginia Code §64-3-1 to authorize the DEP’s legislative rule on hazardous air pollutant emission standards. The practical effect is to give legal force to the agency rule, allowing it to be implemented and enforced against affected sources subject to air pollution controls. The bill primarily impacts environmental regulation, industrial emitters, and any facilities covered by the hazardous air pollutant standards in 45 CSR 34.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the bill appears to be a routine administrative authorization measure rather than a highly controversial policy proposal. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, opposition, or support in the available materials. The overall sentiment is therefore neutral and procedural, centered on approving a revised agency rule.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the substance of the DEP’s hazardous air pollutant emission standards, which may raise compliance and cost concerns for regulated businesses while being supported by environmental and public health interests. Another possible issue is the legislative rule approval process itself, since the rule had to be modified to meet objections from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee before being refiled. However, no specific objections, amendments, or recorded opposition are included in the provided context.