§5B-2N-3. Identification of suitable sites for natural gas electric generation projects.

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Economic Development is authorized and directed to identify economically viable sites within the state that are:

(1) Located near a convenient and sufficient supply of natural gas; and

(2) Likely to create economically viable natural gas electric generation projects that provide economic benefits to the local and state governmental units and the citizens of the state.

(b) The Secretary of the Department of Economic Development shall use the following criteria in identifying economically viable sites for natural gas electric generation projects:

(1) Geographic locations near producing natural gas wells, or pipelines carrying natural gas produced in the state, capable of supplying and sustaining one or more natural gas electric generation facilities for the economic life of the facilities;

(2) Geographic locations near existing electric transmission infrastructure capable of transmitting the generated electricity to wholesale markets.

(3) Geographic locations that fulfill the air quality conditions imposed by the Division of Air Quality of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for one or more natural gas electric generation facilities; and

(4) Geographic locations that can demonstrate that allowable emission increases from one or more natural gas electric generation facilities, in conjunction with all other applicable emission increases or reductions (including secondary emissions), would not cause or contribute to air pollution in violation of:

(A) Any national or West Virginia ambient air quality standard in any air quality control region; or

(B) Any applicable maximum allowable increase over the baseline concentration in any area.