CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia state officials tout the Department of Energy’s recent partnership with the Davis Energy & Infrastructure Strategy Group.
“Energy policy is now economic policy,” said Nick Preservati, West Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce. “If a state signals that it is unwilling to support the infrastructure required for reliable power, capital will move elsewhere. We intend to be that ‘elsewhere.’”
The firm focuses on energy policy, advanced nuclear, and data centers. The group is led by Glenn Davis, who worked with former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin as the state’s Department of Energy Director.
When Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger opted to move the state’s energy in a different direction, Davis became available. “It was the perfect opportunity to bring him here,” said Preservati.
Preservati highlighted the contrast between the states’ approaches to energy.
“In West Virginia, we’re bringing in someone that is pro-growth, pro-generation, pro-data centers,” he said. “You look at what Virginia is doing and where they’re going; they have their Clean Energy Act that requires 100% clean energy by 2045. No coal, no base load gas. They’re not going to have reliable base load generation. They’re not going to have it in Virginia; they’re going to import it from West Virginia.”
The West Virginia Office of Energy said the partnership continues Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s aggressive push to expand the state’s energy infrastructure.
“While other states are turning their backs on the reliable power needed to support growth, West Virginia is stepping up,” Morrisey said. “We understand that if you want to create jobs, if you want to attract investment, and if you want to compete, you have to have the energy to support it. We are building that here, and we are ready to lead.”
Preservati said that states must have clear energy policies.
“You either build the generation needed to support demand, or you fall behind. West Virginia has made its choice.”
Glenn Davis emphasized his firm’s importance.
“The next generation of economic development will follow power. States that are serious about building capacity, including natural gas and advanced nuclear, will lead. States that hesitate or restrict those resources will fall behind.”
Preservati feels confident about the Department of Energy’s future with this move. “West Virginia is not guessing about what it takes to compete. We are building it.”