Hi {contact.email_greeting},

The Governor is directing the WV Office of Energy to create a Comprehensive Energy Plan, and state lawmakers are trying to use this opportunity to double down on fossil fuels and put the state on a path toward costly energy generation and little focus on energy efficiency.

HB 5381 would eliminate Energy Efficiency programs run by the Office of Energy, and it requires the Public Service Commission to prioritize fuel sources produced in the state, such as coal and natural gas. The Plan is intended to expand West Virginia’s generation from 16 GW to 50 GW by 2050. It emphasizes coal and gas as “baseload” generation, and discounts the economic and environmental value of cheaper, cleaner renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and battery storage. 

The Senate Energy Committee has amended the bill to double down on carbon fuel production and investments, which will cause all of our utility bills to rise as the Governor pursues his 50 GW by 2050 energy plan. The full Senate has the opportunity to repeal the Energy Committee’s amendments while also improving upon the original House version of the bill, which eliminated the Office of Energy’s energy efficiency programs to lower state-owned buildings’ utility costs.

Take action now and urge lawmakers to amend HB 5381 to include the energy efficiency West Virginians need and want!