Attorney General Patrick Morrisey addressed energy industry leaders at the 2024 Governor’s Energy Summit in Charleston, focusing on his gubernatorial platform for deregulation and resisting federal energy mandates.
As he approaches the end of his final term as attorney general, Morrisey, a Republican, assured attendees he will continue pushing back against federal oversight on energy if elected governor next week. His platform includes an in-depth review of state regulations to enhance West Virginia’s energy and economic competitiveness with neighboring states.
Morrisey criticized the Biden administration’s environmental policies, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency’s EPA recent rule mandating a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas power plants by 2039.
He argued these rules threaten West Virginia’s energy sector and highlighted his office’s ongoing litigation against the EPA in the D.C. Circuit. Noting past victories against the EPA at the Supreme Court, Morrisey reaffirmed his commitment to shielding coal and natural gas industries from restrictive regulations.
With West Virginia’s nine coal-fired power plants providing nearly 89% of the state’s electricity, and ongoing litigation against the EPA’s Waters of the United States WOTUS rule and emission limits on vehicles, Morrisey emphasized his goal to protect the state’s traditional energy sources and foster investment in its energy sector.
The summit also included discussions on West Virginia’s energy future, with panels covering coal exports, the hydrogen hub initiative ARCH2, and nuclear energy. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and retiring Sen. Joe Manchin were both recognized for their contributions to supporting the state’s coal and natural gas industries.