Dive Brief:

• West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed legislation last week requiring the state's lawmakers to approve compliance plans for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed carbon mandates.
• Previously, the state's Department of Environmental Protection was authorized to develop and submit Clean Power Plan compliance strategies, but will now require legislative approval.
• The measure passed easily in the House before receiving a 24-10 approval in the Senate, according to the State Journal.

Dive Insight:

The new law — giving West Virginia lawmakers the final say over compliance plans for coming Clean Power Plan regulations — is a victory for the state's coal industry.

Unsurprisingly, the move drew praise from American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity President and CEO Mike Duncan.

"This law will ensure West Virginia’s elected officials have a say in the regulations that ultimately impact their state’s families and businesses," Duncan said. "By taking a common sense approach to energy policy, these leaders are helping to secure America’s energy and economic future."

West Virginia was one of more than a dozen states who sued the EPA, arguing the agency does not have authority to regulate existing power plans and must finalize efforts with new plants before doing. The group of states also said the new rules are too costly and inflexible.