Report: WV Shift To Renewable Energy Could Lower Bills, Boost Economy

By Diane Bernard, Public News Service-WV

December 17, 2020

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With more coal plants idling or shutting down during the pandemic, a new report makes the case for boosting West Virginia's renewable energy and energy efficiency over the next 15 years.

Put out by the Center for Energy and Sustainable Development at West Virginia University, the report shows the state could move away from coal and generate more than 70% of the state's electricity using wind and solar power by 2035.

Jim Kotcon, political chair of the Mountain State's Sierra Club said using renewable energy would be more cost-effective in the long run.

"The economics are very clear," Kotcon argued. "Which is one reason why nationally, two-thirds of the new electric generation added to the grid has been from renewables for each of the last six years. So it's time for West Virginia to catch up with where most of the rest of America is already going."

American Electric Power, a major utility supplier in Appalachia, has already stated it aims to reduce carbon emissions by 70% by 2035 and 80% by 2050. The company has gone from 70% coal-fueled in 2005 to 45% in 2019.

The report points to coal transition legislation passed by the state House of Delegates earlier this year as evidence of political commitment for the shift away from coal. But Kotcon contended more work needs to be done to meet the 2035 goal.

"The state Legislature has taken up some preliminary legislation authorizing the utilities to develop renewables," Kotcon explained. "But we would need to move much faster than we have so far to achieve this."

According to the report, 74% of U.S. coal capacity could be replaced by renewable energy with immediate cost savings, rising to 86% by 2025. It also predicts moving to renewable energy would create more than 1,100 full-time jobs in West Virginia.

Disclosure: Sierra Club, West Virginia Chapter contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species and Wildlife, Environment, and Public Lands/Wilderness. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.

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