CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney believes the timing is perfect for the new-look legislature to elevate the energy committees in the House of Delegates and state Senate to major committee status.
“This helps a great deal,” Raney told MetroNews Monday, “There are many issues that need to be developed, better understood and certainly advanced. I think it’s appropriately timed.”
The House and Senate will be controlled by Republicans for the first time since the 1930s when lawmakers gather for their regular session starting in January. Both Del. Tim Armstead, the anticipated new House speaker and state Senator Bill Cole, the likely Senate president, have said the energy committees will have more prominent roles.
Raney said major committee status means full-time attorneys and staff along with being able to review bills deeper in the process.
“It has a full infrastructure. It’s the committee of last reference if bills happen to be double referenced they go right to the committee and right to the floor. It’s a much more efficient process,” Raney said.
The committees will address things impacting the coal and natural gas industries. They’ve been going in opposite directions in recent months. Raney said the committees can play a role in helping the state battle against the federal EPA and restore coal jobs. He doesn’t believe it’s too late.
“It’s very significant and it’s very important because there are a lot of things we need to do to try and retain all of the jobs we have here and get the jobs back that we lost,” Raney said.
Republicans and Democrats will caucus next month at the capitol to choose their leaders for the next legislative session.