CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A new poll shows that West Virginians are shifting views when it comes to the state’s energy economy, valuing energy transformation.
The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce recently released data from a statewide survey among registered voters in the Mountain State conducted by Research America to investigate public sentiment around the state’s future and changing energy economy.
Thomas Minney, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia said the data shows that West Virginia values an energy transformation.
“We were fascinated to see that while voters overwhelmingly treasure our energy heritage, they also recognize that the nation is shifting its energy economy and feel that West Virginia should focus on becoming a leader in the next generation of clean and renewable energy production,” Minney said.
Research America conducted this survey online and by telephone among 500 registered voters in West Virginia from June 21 to July 2, 2021. The survey included an oversample of respondents from heavy coal-producing areas within the state, a release said.
Researchers stated that less than half, 48%, of voters said things in West Virginia are currently headed in the right direction and only 31% feel that it will get better in the future.
When asked to identify the most important initiative that elected officials could do to help their community, 70% of voters in coal country would like to see more jobs created. Nearly half of the voters surveyed in coal country, 49%, reported being willing to move to another area of West Virginia if there are good-paying jobs and better opportunities in new industries.
The Nature Conservancy and Chamber of Commerce joined forces to conduct a survey investigating the state’s future in changing energy economy.@tminney goes through each topic that was discussed in the survey with @HoppyKercheval. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/3Fqmhzkiqi
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) August 20, 2021
Rex Repass, President of Research America said during the release of data that West Virginians want to stay in state in any way possible.
“We found that there is an interest or desire culturally, to at least consider moving if jobs are created in other parts of the state,” Repass said.
VIEW: Summary of West Virginia Energy-Economy Survey Results
Data shows that 90% of voters across West Virginia identify benefits that may result from shifting the focus of West Virginia’s energy industry away from historic coal uses and towards the production of clean energy, such as carbon capture and renewables. The agreement is even higher within Coal Country, 95%, a news release said.
Statewide, 20% of voters ranked cleaner air and water as the top benefit to growth in the economy.
“If you look at West Virginians perceptibly now and how they feel about the energy economy and the economy overall, they see the state in transformation. They see something taking place and energy changing in terms of what their energy sources and what they can be or will be in the future,” Repass said.
The poll also looked beyond the energy question to see what West Virginian voters felt the future should hold. In looking at potential elements of a broad infrastructure improvement plan, across the state, people saw the most benefit in high-speed broadband and securing electricity grids, a release said.
In a statement with the survey results, Brian Dayton, the Vice President of Policy for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce said “This was truly a fascinating project between The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.”
“We wanted to know how West Virginians saw the future of the state’s economy through issues around energy and infrastructure.”