Energy experts warn that West Virginia’s energy crisis could be an omen of what is to come if the U.S. continues to spurn solar and wind energy in favor of fossil fuels.
Susan Elizabeth Turek | TCD | October 26, 2025
West Virginia homeowners face soaring energy costs amid heavy reliance on coal, oil, and gas. Many say they must choose between paying their electric bills and buying groceries.
The New York Times did a deep dive into West Virginia’s energy situation. The Mountain State has seen its electricity rates rise nearly twice as fast as the national average over the past 15 years, and some residents report it is cheaper to rent a house than to keep the lights on.
Major utility companies Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power cut power to 56,000 households for not paying their bills in 2023. That disconnection rate is more than 10-times higher than usual for states.
West Virginia regulators have pushed utility companies to rely on coal, leading to millions in operational, construction, and maintenance costs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates the state uses coal to produce around 86% of its electricity.
