Brian Willis, 202.675.2386, Brian.Willis@sierraclub.org
Pablo Willis, pablo.willis@sierraclub.org
Charleston, West Virginia -- The Sierra Club released a report today, which found that clean energy companies have successfully developed numerous projects in West Virginia and that small businesses, school districts, and residents could save millions with additional clean energy projects if the Mountain State’s policies improved. The report, titled “Clean Energy Works in West Virginia,” found that West Virginia is not taking full advantage of its clean energy economy and recommended steps to expand the sector’s growth and reach.
“West Virginia’s clean energy economy is growing, but it could be thriving, and that needs to change,” said Mary Anne Hitt, West Virginia resident and Senior Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign. “With the coal industry in a free fall and increased pressure from electricity customers for clean, cheap energy for their homes and businesses, we must do more to make West Virginia a destination for solar and wind energy development.”
The report found that implementing key policies, like passing the Modern Energy Jobs (MOJO) Act and establishing Power Purchase Agreement policies, would allow West Virginia to generate millions of extra dollars in energy cost savings and tax revenue, and create thousands of new clean energy jobs and revitalize the state’s manufacturing industry. Communities in neighboring Appalachian states that have already adopted similar policy recommendations have been found to have large renewable energy projects proposed and installed.
“This report shows that clean energy resources like solar and wind energy can thrive in West Virginia, and attract new talent and investments to our state,” said Bill Price, a Charleston resident and Organizing Manager with the Sierra Club. “Clean energy resources like solar, wind, and battery storage can bring thousands of jobs to West Virginia and kick start important industries that will provide for families for decades to come. We just need our leaders to jump on board.”
The “Clean Energy Works in West Virginia” report was developed with Vandalia Energy Services.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.