HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 103

(By Delegates Linville and Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker))

[Originating in the Committee on Rules; Reported on April 11, 2025]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study West Virginia’s participation and affiliation with PJM Interconnection LLC which serves West Virginia as a Regional Transmission Authority, coordinating the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Whereas, West Virginia’s electric utilities participate in wholesale electricity markets managed by PJM Interconnection; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s electric utilities have participated for over a decade in the whole sale markets managed by PJM Interconnection; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s electric rates have been steadily rising with higher levels of increases than in other states; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s ratepayers and electric utilities have made significant investments in the operation and maintenance of baseload power generation to the benefit of electric reliability in West Virginia and to the PJM Interconnection; and

Whereas, PJM Interconnection, through its role in wholesale marketing of electricity, has had and will continue to have a large effect on the electric rates borne by West Virginians; and

Whereas, recent settlements have been proposed which place caps on the value of baseload electric generation capacity for several years which may be beneath the otherwise market-driven value.

Therefore, Be it Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a comprehensive study to: (1) Evaluate PJM Interconnection’s management and role in the wholesale electric power market serving West Virginia; (2) Determine whether West Virginia and its rate payers are well served by continued participation in the PJM Interconnection’s markets; (3) Determine whether or not West Virginia has adequate representation in the governance and decision-making of the PJM Interconnection; (4) Determine whether our ratepayer’s investments in electricity generation capacity are being adequately valued by the PJM Interconnection wholesale markets; (5) Determine whether other regional transmission organizations are available and better suited to serve West Virginia and its ratepayers; and (6) Determine whether it is feasible and advantageous for West Virginia to form its own regional transmission organization similar to the State of Texas; and

Be It Further Resolved, That the Committee report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with any drafts of legislation it may propose, to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2026, and the joint interim committee whose subject matter concerns electric energy generation, transmission, and distribution.