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.