West Virginia Incentives and Laws

Last Updated March 2008

West Virginia is the home of the West Virginia Clean State Program (www.energywv.org). Coordinator contact information is listed in the Points of Contact section.

State Incentives

Alternative Fuel School Bus Incentive

Any county that uses an acceptable alternative fuel, including compressed natural gas (CNG), for the operation of all or any portion of its school bus system is eligible for a reimbursement from the West Virginia Department of Education of up to 95% of the county's transportation cost for maintenance, operation, and related costs incurred from using the alternatively fueled school buses. A county qualifying for this allowance for alternative fuel use must submit a plan which includes the future use of the alternatively fueled school buses to the Department of Education. (Reference West Virginia Code 18-9A-7)

Point of Contact

Benjamin Shew
Executive Director
West Virginia Department of Education, Office of School Transportation
Phone (304) 558-2711
Fax (304) 558-6268
bshew@access.k12.wv.us

State Laws and Regulations

Alternative Fuel Promotion

The Division of Energy is established to promote energy efficiency, increase the development and production of domestic energy sources, and increase public awareness of the environmental impacts of energy use and production. The Division of Energy is required to submit and implement a development plan that addresses fuel efficiency and alternative energy, including the implementation of clean, renewable energy sources such as landfill gas, fuel cells, renewable hydrogen fuel technologies, waste-to-ethanol fuel, and coal-based liquid fuels. (Reference West Virginia Code 5B-2F-2)

Alternative Fuel Production Subsidy Prohibition

Incentives or subsidies from political subdivisions for the production of alternative fuels are prohibited by law, with exceptions for certain coal-based liquid fuels. (Reference West Virginia Code 8-27A-3 and 11-13D-3d)

Provision for Establishment of Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirements

The Secretary of Administration has the authority to require that up to 75% of a state agency's fleet be made up of AFVs. To meet these requirements, AFVs may be purchased or leased, or existing vehicles may be converted to operate using alternative fuels. (Reference West Virginia Code 5A-2A-2)

Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways

Low-speed vehicles can only be operated on private and public roads and streets where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less, and must meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 500, Low-Speed Vehicles (49 C.F.R. 571, 500). Any person operating a low-speed vehicle must hold a valid driver's license. (Reference West Virginia Code 17A-3-2)

Utilities/Private Incentives

There are currently no known utility or private incentives offered in West Virginia.

Points of Contact:

NAME/EMAIL	AGENCY	TITLE	PHONE/FAX
Kelly Bragg kbragg@energywv.org	West Virginia Clean State Program	Coordinator	Phone: (304) 558-2234 or (800) 982-3386 Fax: (304) 558-0362
Kay (Milewski) Kelly kay.kelly@netl.doe.gov	U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory	Project Manager	Phone: (304) 285-4535 Fax: (304) 285-4638
Al Ebron al.ebron@mail.wvu.edu	West Virginia University, National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium	Executive Director	Phone: (304) 293-7882 Fax: (304) 293-6944
Reynold L. Sanner reynold.sanner@gsa.gov	U.S. General Services Administration	Western Zone Manager, Region 3	Phone: (724) 693-2400 x4 Fax: (724) 693-2406
Benjamin Shew bshew@access.k12.wv.us	West Virginia Department of Education, Office of School Transportation	Executive Director	Phone: (304) 558-2711 Fax: (304) 558-6268
Sylvia McMillan sylvia.mcmillan@gsa.gov	U.S. General Services Administration	Alternative Fuels Specialist	Phone: (202) 619-8909 Fax: (202) 619-8929