WV's reliance on coal is getting more expensive, and Joe Manchin's constituents are paying the bill

[Nevilledog]

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Ella Nilsen
@ella_nilsen
NEW: Manchin opposes a clean electricity program, saying "the transition is already happening." But in Manchin's home state, the transition away from coal is not happening. Coal powers nearly 90% of WV electricity & costs for ratepayers are only going up.

West Virginia's reliance on coal is getting more expensive, and Joe Manchin's constituents are...
During the winter months in West Virginia, Felisha Chase pays more for her electricity than she does for her home.
edition.cnn.com
5:14 AM · Oct 19, 2021

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/19/politics/west-virginia-coal-rates-manchin-climate/index.html
(CNN)During the winter months in West Virginia, Felisha Chase pays more for her electricity than she does for her home.

"It does feel wrong when your electric bill is more than your mortgage," Chase told CNN. "Around here the old adage is 'coal keeps the lights on.' Anyone struggling to keep their electric on knows it's more than the lights."

Her electricity bill spikes every January, when Chase estimates her electricity usage increases five- or six-fold. In September, she was still paying down a remaining balance of $600 from the winter before -- twice the cost of her monthly mortgage payment. Her cumulative bill has gone as high as $1,400.

As America has largely transitioned away from coal-fired power, West Virginia has thrown its weight behind it. The state is the second-largest coal producer in the country, and coal generates nearly 89% of its electricity compared to just 19% nationwide -- a steep fall from 1990, when coal powered 52% of US electricity.

But coal has become more expensive than renewables or natural gas, the prices of which have fallen rapidly, and in West Virginia, the ratepayers are footing the bill. With three of the state's major coal-fired power plants in need of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of mandatory upgrades, costs for ratepayers like Chase will continue to go up.

*snip*

[Scrivener7]

1. Good.

[keithbvadu2]

2. That's showing the libs.

That's showing the libs.

[Xolodno]

3. Between a rock of coal and a hard place.

Coal isn't viable anymore. But its one of the main employers of the state.

There were opportunities to move away from this, but they chose to stick with the status quo.

Tourism? Nope. Continue wiping out mountains and making areas unfit.. Health Care, nah, screw Hilary Clinton.