CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – State Treasurer Larry Pack today released a report examining the impact of major utility projects such as the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) on local property tax revenues. The report found that the property tax base associated with rural public utility properties in 11 West Virginia counties collectively grew by more than 62% in one year, driven largely by the MVP. Total county commission revenues associated with such property rose by nearly $9.1 million, while revenues to county school boards rose by nearly $18 million.
“As local entities embrace these types of projects, it is vital that residents understand what those investments could mean for their counties,” Treasurer Pack said. “Providing clear, transparent information about increased revenues helps local officials make informed decisions and garners collective buy-in from constituents. We look forward to producing more of these types of reports that shed light on major economic development projects across West Virginia.”
The MVP is a multi-billion-dollar interstate natural gas pipeline extending roughly 303 miles from Wetzel County, West Virginia, to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, with a daily capacity of two billion cubic feet. The pipeline crosses largely rural areas in 11 West Virginia counties: Braxton, Doddridge, Fayette, Greenbrier, Harrison, Lewis, Monroe, Nicholas, Summers, Webster and Wetzel. The MVP entered service in June 2024, with its full property tax impact reflected in Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Additional property tax collections associated with public utility property in those 11 counties accounted for more than 86% of the total net gain in property tax revenues from all sources.
“These numbers demonstrate how significant utility investments can affect local government finances through substantial additional property tax collections,” Treasurer Pack said. “The impact on the smaller rural counties is even more significant given the size of government, as well as the lack of other diversified taxable investments. It is up to those local elected officials to make smart policy decisions that will invest in their county’s future.”
Below is a chart explaining the impact by county on property tax revenue gains:
