CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Seneca Center for Energy and Critical Minerals Policy today announced the submission of its formal public comments on the West Virginia Comprehensive Energy Plan, filed in response to the West Virginia Office of Energy’s request for public input.
The submission outlines a practical, reliability-focused energy strategy grounded in engineering realities, market conditions, and West Virginia’s existing strengths as a major energy-producing state. It emphasizes affordability for consumers, grid reliability, energy security, and long-term workforce development, while cautioning against policies that mandate specific energy sources or distort competitive markets.
“West Virginia’s energy policy needs to start with a simple premise: the power has to be there when people need it, at a price they can afford,” said Kevin Poe, President of the Seneca Center. “Reliability and capacity are not abstract concepts. They are what keep homes warm, businesses operating, and communities functioning. Our recommendations are rooted in what works—not what sounds good in a press release.”
The Seneca Center’s submission supports an all-of-the-above energy portfolio, with continued reliance on dispatchable baseload generation such as coal and natural gas, expanded transmission capacity through reconductoring, and immediate action to strengthen grid cybersecurity. The document also evaluates emerging technologies—including micro nuclear reactors, geothermal energy, and rare-earth mineral recovery—based on technical feasibility and realistic deployment timelines.
“Energy policy has to follow physics and economics, not political fashion,” said Terence L. Headley, Vice President of Communications for the Seneca Center. “Intermittent resources can play a role, but they cannot replace baseload power until the technology exists to support that claim at scale. Pretending otherwise puts reliability, affordability, and public trust at risk.”
The submission also calls for long-term workforce and education planning, including expanded STEM incentives, hands-on technical training, and stronger K-12 engagement to prepare West Virginians for modern energy, manufacturing, and industrial careers.
In addition, the Seneca Center reiterates its opposition to reinstating a state-mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard, noting that previous mandates were repealed and that energy sources should compete on performance, cost, and reliability—not statutory preference.
“This is not an argument against innovation,” Poe added. “It is an argument for honesty. West Virginia can lead in energy development, but only if policy is anchored in reality and respects the assets and workforce we already have.”
The full submission has been formally provided to the West Virginia Office of Energy and is now available to the public as part of the state’s comprehensive energy-planning process.
