[image: lwv msn logo.png]
The West Virginia Department of Commerce has released its proposed rules
<https://apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx?DocId=58708&Format=PDF>
for implementing HB 2014
<https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2025_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb2014%…>,
which established the Certified Microgrid Development Program.
HB 2014 encourages data centers to locate in WV and allows them to generate
their own power through the creation of microgrids. HB 2014 allows
microgrids to utilize fossil fuels rather than renewable sources, overrides
local control, and prevents counties and municipalities from enforcing or
enacting restrictive measures related to siting or operation, giving most
review powers to the Secretary of Commerce.
The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy
<https://secure.everyaction.com/7z2qteyDC0Cx3o6W3LtgCA2> described the
proposed rule like this:
As written, these rules give the public almost no notice, no real way to
weigh in, and very little information about what these companies are
proposing. For projects that could change local air and water quality,
drive up energy demand, and reshape rural communities, that's simply not
good enough.
This is your opportunity to tell the Secretary of Commerce they must amend
the rules to require more transparency from big data centers and create
opportunities for public input on applications.
Hurry! The comment deadline is Wednesday, December 10th.
Use the template and talking points below (adapted from WV Highlands
Conservancy suggestions) to prepare your comments. Comments should be
submitted to Garner Marks, General Counsel for the WV Department of
Commerce at garner.marks(a)wv.gov.
------------------------------
Letter Template and Talking Points
To: garner.marks(a)wv.gov
Subject: Public Comment on Proposed Rule 145CSR20 (Certified Microgrid
Development Program)
Body:
Dear Mr. Marks,
I am a West Virginia resident concerned about how HB 2014 hands over almost
all decision-making about data centers and microgrids to the state, taking
away authority from communities that will have to live with the
consequences.
As written, these rules will remove the public from the process, deny them
access to what is being proposed, their ability to make their voices heard,
or protect their communities from negative consequences.
-
The rules need transparency with a structured, open, public process.
Before final approval, residents deserve notice, and the ability to appeal
decisions that affect their communities.
-
Applications should be made public so residents can see the basic facts
about what’s being proposed.
-
These processes need clear standards and independent evaluations, so
decisions are made based on transparent and consistent criteria.
-
Before approval of any application, the rules should require an
independent review for environmental impact by specialists, including
qualified engineers and economists.
-
Applicants should be required to disclose all basic environmental and
community impacts. The state is the only reviewer, as local governments
are blocked from regulating these facilities. That makes it even more
important for full disclosure about essential features — expected air
emissions, water use, sources of water, and discharges, noise levels,
traffic impacts, the operating schedule and workforce, emergency-service
needs, safety policies and records, land-use conflicts.
-
Applicants should be required to assess and disclose whether renewables
and battery storage are feasible for some or all anticipated power needs.
-
Companies seeking waivers from local rules should be required to offer
binding community benefit agreements negotiated directly with the community.
-
To protect everyday West Virginians from higher electric bills, data
centers should cover the full cost of their electricity use and any grid
updates they require.
HB 2014 already limits local authority. The least the state can do is
ensure that residents have transparency, a voice in the process, and real
protections. I strongly urge you to revise the rules to reflect these
needs.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your County/City]
DRAFT Agenda, Dec 13, 2025
Agenda (Google drive)
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XMkRvuwmrHz2HilUuAVmzOxHyLeb3-aGbnvGPfp…>
LWVWV BOARD AGENDA - DEC 13, 2025 REVISED – 12/6/2025
ZOOM Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81479925997?pwd=daonMB9dEtNeYHK7BMXZ4saxJsljHo.1
Meeting ID: 814 7992 5997
Passcode: 951848
---
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,81479925997#,,,,*951848# US
+13017158592,,81479925997#,,,,*951848# US (Washington DC)
10:00 AM
Welcome & Call to Order, Changes/Additions to Agenda
Lyn Widmyer
Approval of minutes
-
<-- INSERT LINK
Co-Presidents’ Reports
-
Signed on to LWVUS statement regarding DHS plan to consolidate sensitive
personal data across federal agencies
-
Death of Nancy Novak, former president of LWVWV, longtime member of the
Board, & lifetime member of the League
Lyn Widmyer
Judy Ball
Treasurer’s Report
-
Treasurer’s Report <-- INSERT LINK
-
Ron Widmyer volunteered to serve on audit committee for LWVWV.
-
Still need League members to serve on the board of LWV Trust.
-
LWVWV rejected offer for Lobby Corps Grant from LWVUS.
-
Approval needed to transfer up to $4000 from CD that is maturing soon to
cover budget items.
Teresa
Lyn/Judy
10:20 a.m.
New Business
Preparing for 2026 election season
-
VOTE411
-
Voter education on new photo ID law
-
Any local Leagues planning candidate forums?
-
Approval needed for funds to support outreach to voters & legislators
(partnership with Delta Sigma Theta)
Autumn
Lyn
Judy
Other Board members
Legislative Day
-
Approval needed for contribution to Delta Sigma Theta toward their cost
of Black Policy Day at Legislature in February.
-
We will join them & have a table with LWV info.
Lyn
LLAW — Preparing for Jan 2026 Legislature
-
Activated FastDemocracy Pro subscription (with Teresa’s help). Training
just for LLAW scheduled for Dec 19.
-
No suggested changes to 2024 Legislative Priorities
<https://lwvwv.org/2024/01/04/lwvwv-2024-program-policy-priorities/>
were received, so priorities will remain the same.
-
Completed testing Claude AI platform for help with the heavy lifting in
manual bill review. Full test across 2460 bills from 2025.
-
Claude is excellent at translating bills into LWVWV positions.
-
Claude improved immensely in filtering bills based on keywords into 4
priority buckets.
-
Claude resource constraints issue will be addressed by using a portion
of LLAW budget to fund Claude Pro subscription only for duration of
Legislature’s term.
-
Request to brief Morgantown NOW on LLAW, Jan 13.
-
Del. Evan Hansen will introduce nonpartisan bills supported by LLAW. We
set the following priorities:
-
Current WV law permits voters who request assistance due a disability
to have that disability challenged. These provisions should be
repealed. (Talking
points
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E4iOf3d7VxBHMu_2svMiOQluAbIp78Tw/view?usp=…>
on this policy issue.)
-
Bill to codify procedures for redistricting in WV, HB 2415
<https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=2415&year…>
in 2025, will be re-introduced.
-
Our bill to modernize election procedures, HB 2447
<https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_history.cfm?INPUT=2447&year…>
in 2025, will not be re-introduced this session. We may come back in a
future session.
Judy
Establish meeting schedule for CY 2026
-
Move that the Board meet the third Saturday, every other month
-
Jan 22
-
Mar 15
-
May 17
-
Jul 19
-
Sep 20
-
Nov 15
Lyn
Judy
Highlights of LWVUS Leader meetings
-
LWVUS has a new regional organizing model.
https://www.lwv.org/league-management/advocacy-litigation/lwvs-organizing-m…
-
Each state assigned to a region with a coordinator.
-
Region 2: West Virginia & District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Virginia.
-
Still early days, but notable frustration at LWVUS lack of support for
fostering communication between & among state leaders.
Lyn
Judy
11:20 a.m.
Unfinished Business
-
Amicus brief filed with WV Supreme Court of Appeals to support WV Board
of Education challenge to WV state legislature having final authority over
rules & regulations.
-
Judy interviewed on MetroNews TV — ScreenRecording_11-03-2025
10-46-23_1.mp4
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PDj26vuhvImCYnkmWaI6tB3jprXwehSA/view?usp=…>
-
Brief was topic of LWVMM Substack — The will of the people must be
respected — Nov 30, 2025
Lyn
Judy
-
Continuing partnership with Delta Sigma Theta (EPAC) to promote
importance of voting.
-
Priority: voter turnout
-
Postcards to be mailed
-
LWVWV will co-sponsor webinar
Lyn
Judy
-
Vacancies on state Board still unfilled; Huntington not represented
Lyn
Local League Reports
✦ Huntington Area
✦ Jefferson County
-
Annual membership meeting, Dec 9
-
Death of Alice Barkus, longtime LWV member
Lyn
✦ Morgantown-Monongalia County
-
Substack update. 119 subscribers as of Dec 6.
LWVMorgantown.substack.com <http://lwvmorgantown.substack.com>
-
Updated flyers for voter events — for any local League to use:
-
Voter Registration Event
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OwTjMSwqMzfpCjrfd6QDMtJVaDYBubT3/view?usp=…>
-
Student Voters
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YNm5AIb7YO0v6j2UFVgYoCw79BBvv1el/view?usp=…>
-
Photo ID
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cKmq_9tlPiKhXZzbY8925AHHcnJIu1Ge/view?usp=…>
-
Absentee Ballots
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WufQuWrOveVSKQt_YvO5fr2Oi-uBlZ1G/view?usp=…>
-
T-shirts! Ordering deadline is Dec 31.
-
Instructions → 2025-12-05 email T-shirt order.pdf
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wHuMoNJjYDfDY3MzU68Q_FEFZbbZjexl/view?usp=…>
-
Order form with images → voters shirts.docx
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OSikYPj2-1ATsWTMQCVbOLEotMgDG3Mc/edit?u…>
Judy
For the good of the order
Noon
ADJOURN
Next Meetings/Events: