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West Virginia has always been an energy state and our communities have long been the backbone of America’s energy system. And today, natural gas represents one of the most promising opportunities to grow our economy while keeping costs low and energy reliable for families and businesses.
Expanding in-state natural gas development and use positions West Virginia to compete for the growing energy needs of the nation. Framing energy policy as a choice, as we saw in the Capitol last month, between one fuel or another oversimplifies a complex reality. While the challenges facing legacy coal communities are real and deserve thoughtful solutions, claims that natural gas generation weakens reliability or harms West Virginia ignores the fact that natural gas provides dependable, dispatch-able power that supports grid stability and economic growth. It underpins industries, supports families, and contributes significantly to state and local revenue. Reliable electricity is the foundation of economic growth, and gas-fired generation provides precisely that.
As a major natural gas producer in the U.S., the sheer amount of opportunity for West Virginia is incredible.
U.S. power sector forecasts indicate that natural gas demand could increase by as much as 25 billion cubic feet per day by 2030. Globally, the International Energy Agency expects demand for natural gas to continue climbing well into the 2030s. For West Virginia, these trends represent more than statistics — they represent concrete potential for job creation, business investment, and community development.
Our state’s electricity prices tell a cautionary story. Since 2005, average residential electricity rates in West Virginia have risen 125%, more than double the national increase. Where we were once the state with the lowest electricity costs, we now rank 27th. These higher costs affect families, strain household budgets, and make it more difficult to attract and retain businesses. A diverse energy portfolio that includes natural gas can help stabilize prices while ensuring reliable supply.
Fuel diversity critical to manufacturers, data centers
Fuel diversity is particularly important for large industrial users, including manufacturers and data centers. Many of these companies require a stable, varied energy mix to operate efficiently. In the past, West Virginia has been overlooked for such investments because of a lack of diversity in the energy supply. Smart natural gas development can help reverse that trend, bringing high-quality industrial jobs to the state and fostering economic growth across multiple sectors.
Put simply, investing in natural gas is investing in our people.
Operators are committing billions of dollars to infrastructure, new technologies, and workforce development. These investments create jobs that pay well and provide career pathways for West Virginians, while also supporting local small businesses. The natural gas industry supports 73,000 jobs across the state, each of which supports families and local communities. Revenue from natural gas flows directly into communities through property taxes, severance taxes, and royalties, helping fund schools, roads, and essential public services. Since 2008, the industry has contributed more than $5.9 billion in property and severance taxes alone – money that directly benefits communities across the state. What’s more, over $1 billion in royalties were paid to West Virginia landowners in 2025, expanding the positive impact of the industry to residents.
West Virginia will help tell America’s energy story
But the benefits extend far beyond jobs and taxes.
Expanding natural gas production strengthens West Virginia’s position in global energy markets, attracts private investment and supports the long-term stability of our economy. It also reinforces our ability to meet the energy needs of our citizens without compromising reliability or affordability. For families, businesses and local governments, that stability is critical.
Sitting in the largest U.S. gas-producing basin and being the fifth-largest natural gas producer, West Virginia is poised to lead in the next chapter of America’s energy story. Calls for legislative or regulatory intervention to limit natural gas development risk discouraging investment, reducing energy diversity and undermining West Virginia’s ability to meet growing electricity demand.
Natural gas provides a pathway to cleaner, more reliable electricity and sustained economic growth. It supports our workforce, strengthens our communities and ensures that the state remains competitive in a rapidly changing energy landscape. By embracing these investments, we are building a foundation for prosperity that will benefit West Virginians today and for generations to come.
Our energy future is not a question of choosing one path over another, it’s about using the resources we have wisely and strategically. Natural gas is a central part of that strategy, delivering real benefits to families, workers and communities across West Virginia. By supporting its responsible development, we can create more jobs, generate essential revenue and power our state toward a stronger, more prosperous future.
