Press Release: West Virginians for Energy Freedom Hosts Press Conference on Community Solar at Capitol

Jillian Blair, a WVU Honors College Student Ambassador, speaks at the community solar press conference on Feb. 28, 2023.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2023
Contact: Lauren Trovato, Press Liaison
lauren@84agency.com, (540) 998-5531

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginians for Energy Freedom, a statewide coalition focused on promoting energy freedom in West Virginia, hosted a press conference updating the public on the status of community solar in the state of West Virginia on Tuesday, February 28th. The press conference was held at the Capitol during the WV Environmental Council’s “E-Day,” a day-long series of events bringing awareness to a variety of pressing environmental policy concerns—including the expansion of affordable energy options through community solar. 

Press conference speakers argued that by enabling community solar in WV, policymakers could help to significantly lower energy costs, create thousands of local jobs, and promote energy freedom.

“Community solar is available in 22 states, but we have yet to enable access in West Virginia,” said Leah Barbor, West Virginia State Director of Solar United Neighbors. “Opening the door to community solar programs in the Mountain State would make the benefit of solar available to those who can’t, or prefer not to, install solar panels on their own homes.”

In addition to Barbor, press conference speakers included Darryl Clausell, president of NAACP West Virginia, Lucia Valentine, West Virginia Environmental Council lobbyist, and Jillian Blair, a WVU environment and energy resources management student.

“Bringing community solar to West Virginia would help ensure that all West Virginians have the ability to choose where their energy comes from,” said NAACP WV President Darryl Clausell. “This would also help address longstanding issues of environmental injustice and economic inequality that have disproportionately affected communities of color.”

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West Virginians for Energy Freedom is a coalition of neighbors, community organizations, local businesses, municipalities, and elected officials advocating for energy freedom in West Virginia.

WV becomes 29th state to offer Power Purchase Agreements

The West Virginia legislature made it easier in 2021 for West Virginians to use power purchase agreements (PPAs), a popular method, to finance distributed energy generation projects such as rooftop solar panels.

West Virginia joins 28 other states — including Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Georgia — in making available on-site PPAs.

“Solar energy helps West Virginians save money and take control of where their electricity comes from,” said Autumn Long, Solar United Neighbors’ West Virginia program director. “West Virginia lawmakers made the smart decision to allow power purchase agreements so that more West Virginia families and businesses can benefit from solar energy.”

The passage of House Bill 3310 wraps up our three-year #PPAs4WV campaign. Supporters across the state have worked diligently to educate lawmakers about the benefits of expanding solar access. The bill received broad support in both legislative chambers and passed 83-16 in the state House of Delegates and 33-1 in the state Senate.

Under a PPA, a third party owns and operates a solar installation. The host customer buys the electricity the system generates at a fixed rate. This rate is typically lower than what the customer pays to their utility for electricity.

PPAs allow customers to benefit from distributed energy with minimal upfront costs. Customers see electric bill savings from Day 1 and are able to lock in long-term energy rates. This allows them to stabilize their monthly budget expenditures and protect themselves against utility rate increases.

WV Legislature passes bill to enable on-site PPAs

The WV Legislature passed HB 3310, a bill to enable on-site solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in West Virginia. Now, HB 3310 heads to Gov. Jim Justice for his signature.

As noted in the bill’s legislative findings, HB 3310 will help more West Virginia households, businesses, and institutions stabilize their long-term energy costs with solar energy. This will make our state more attractive for business development and corporate investment.

Read the full report in today’s Charleston Gazette-Mail.

We appreciate that Gov. Justice’s Department of Commerce continues to champion forward-thinking policy to grow and strengthen West Virginia’s economy. We look forward to the Governor signing HB 3310 into law as a positive step in that direction.

Big thanks to everyone who has contacted their lawmakers in support of this policy. Your efforts made a difference! Your voices have been heard.

Click here if you want to say thanks to lawmakers who voted Yes on HB 3310.

WILL PRICE, WV Legislative Photography

Sen. Richard Lindsay, D-Kanawha, shows support for HB 3310 that would enable on-site Power Purchase Agreements in West Virginia.