New programs can help families lower energy use and build West Virginia’s energy-efficiency workforce
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginians for Energy Freedom today applauded Gov. Patrick Morrisey and the West Virginia Office of Energy for moving forward with programs designed to help West Virginia families make energy-saving improvements to their homes, saying the initiative represents an important step toward addressing the growing challenge of energy affordability.
The West Virginia Office of Energy has secured approximately $88 million for its Home Energy Rebate Programs, including the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) program and Home Efficiency Appliance Rebates (HEAR). The programs are designed to help eligible homeowners and renters make improvements that reduce household energy use, ranging from insulation and air sealing to more efficient heating, cooling and appliances. The state is also working to expand its network of trained energy-efficiency contractors.
“We appreciate Governor Morrisey and the West Virginia Office of Energy moving these programs forward and putting resources directly into homes and communities across our state,” said Caity Coyne, the program manager at West Virginians for Energy Freedom. “Helping families use less energy is one of the most practical ways to help them control their monthly bills. It also creates opportunities for West Virginia workers and small businesses. We hope this commitment to affordability carries through to every energy decision made in the state.”
The programs could be particularly valuable for lower-income households. Under the state’s current eligibility structure, qualifying low-income households may receive rebates covering up to 100 percent of eligible project costs. Both homeowners and renters can participate, although renters must receive authorization from their landlords.
Energy Efficient West Virginia, a member of the West Virginians for Energy Freedom coalition, also welcomed the programs and their potential to expand the state’s energy-efficiency workforce.
“These programs offer West Virginians something they desperately need: practical ways to lower their energy costs while making their homes more comfortable and efficient,” said Robin Blakeman, executive director of Energy Efficient West Virginia. “We are also excited about the investment in training West Virginia contractors and growing our energy-efficiency workforce. But these programs are arriving at a time when important decisions are being made about the future of our electric system. We hope the Public Service Commission approaches those decisions with the same focus on affordability and on protecting West Virginia’s existing residential and small-business ratepayers.”
The West Virginia Office of Energy says its contractor program is intended to increase the number of qualified professionals available to perform rebate-supported projects, including providing training and credentials for workers seeking to enter or expand within the energy-efficiency field.
For many West Virginians, the coalition said, reducing energy consumption is only one part of addressing the affordability problem. Families must also contend with the rates and charges appearing on their monthly utility bills.
West Virginians for Energy Freedom has made affordability a central focus of its Ratepayer Bill of Rights, which calls for greater protections for utility customers and for state regulators and utilities to put the interests of West Virginia ratepayers at the center of energy decisions.
“Energy efficiency and responsible utility regulation should work together,” said Coyne. “If we invest public resources to help a family lower its energy use, that family should be able to feel those savings in their monthly budget. That means continuing programs like these while making affordability a priority whenever decisions are made about rates, infrastructure and the future of West Virginia’s electric system.”
The coalition encouraged West Virginians to learn more about the new energy-efficiency programs and determine whether their households may qualify.
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