Charleston, WV– On Thursday, February 26, West Virginians from across the state will gather at the State Capitol for Affordability Day, a citizen-led advocacy day focused on rising electric bills and the need for stronger consumer protections through a proposed Ratepayer Bill of Rights, HB5648, sponsored by Del. Jeff Eldridge (R, Lincoln).
Hosted by West Virginians for Energy Freedom, Affordability Day will bring residents together to meet with legislators and share firsthand experiences with escalating utility costs. Participants will urge lawmakers to put ratepayers first by supporting commonsense protections that prioritize affordability, transparency, and public participation in utility decisions.
Electricity bills in West Virginia have more than doubled over the past decade, placing increasing strain on households, particularly seniors on fixed incomes and medically vulnerable residents. Confusing and repeated rate increases, limited consumer protections, and the threat of shutoffs during extreme weather are part of why energy affordability is one of the top cost-of-living issues facing the state
“Electricity is not a luxury - it’s essential for health, safety, and economic stability,” said Courtney MacDonald, coalition coordinator for West Virginians for Energy Freedom. “Affordability Day is about West Virginians using our voices to improve the decisions that directly impact our monthly bills.”
The Ratepayer Bill of Rights (HB5648) is a policy framework designed to rebalance utility regulation so that customers are no longer an afterthought. The proposal would strengthen oversight of utilities, expand transparency in rate cases, improve protections against shutoffs, and create opportunities for households to better manage and reduce their energy costs—without undermining grid reliability or utility financial stability.
Key elements of the Ratepayer Bill of Rights include expanded public notice and plain-language explanations before major rate increases, stronger protections for vulnerable households, broader access to bill assistance and energy efficiency programs, and clearer consideration of affordability impacts by regulators
The bill would also allow residents to act on their own to access more affordable, locally sourced power and technologies that can reduce long-term system costs.
Affordability Day participants will meet directly with their legislators, encourage support for the Ratepayer Bill of Rights, and highlight the growing public demand for solutions that address rising electric bills. Organizers note that affordability is not a partisan issue but a top concern across political and geographic lines in West Virginia.
Community members who cannot attend in person are encouraged to sign the Ratepayer Bill of Rights and contact their legislators online.
WHAT: Affordability Day
WHEN: Thursday, February 26
WHERE: West Virginia State Capitol, Charleston, 9 AM in the Governor's Cabinet Conference Room.
WHO: West Virginians for Energy Freedom, ratepayers, community advocates
For more information or to sign the Ratepayer Bill of Rights, visit https://www.energyfreedomwv.org/affordability-day