November 6, 2024 - Recently the paper prepared by Energy Venture Analysis (EVA) under contract with America's Power on West Virginia's Electric Rates was released. The paper accentuates the state’s low, competitive retail electric rates due to its strong reliance on coal-fired generation.  According to the paper, WV's retail rates last year were almost 20% below the national average and the second lowest among the 26 states east of the Mississippi River.  Attached is a joint press release from WVCA and America's Power. Here again, are a few highlights from the paper:

• Historically, WV has had some of the lowest, most affordable retail electricity rates in the country.
• Last year, WV’s retail rates were almost 20% below the national average and the second lowest among the 26 states east of the Mississippi River.
• WV’s retail rates have been declining since 2016.
• These low rates are due to WV’s reliance on coal-fired generation, its proximity to coal reserves, and its regulated electricity market.
• The price of coal has barely changed over the past two decades.  Other states in PJM are more reliant on natural gas, whose price is more volatile than coal and is influenced more by national and international market trends.