Energy: Efficiency standards could use a boost
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West Virginians take a lot of pride in having for generations "powered the nation," with coal and natural gas. And perhaps it is because we are surrounded by energy sources in those forms in addition to solar, wind and hydroelectric options that, according to a recent report, we don't do a very good job of being responsible with our energy use.
According to WalletHub's "Most and Least Energy-Efficient States," released this week, only two states in the continental U.S. (Alabama and South Carolina) do a worse job of responsibly using energy.
Given that we are also among the poorest states in the country, it SHOULD stand to reason that we would be clamoring for ways to spend less on energy. But that is not the case.
We are 46th for home energy efficiency and 38th for auto energy efficiency. Rather than doing more with less energy, here in the Mountain State we are doing less with more energy.
Contrary to what some well-funded politicians want you to believe, this isn't a matter of "heritage" or politics. It's a matter of doing what is best for our beautiful state and our families.
"Energy efficiency doesn't just help save the planet -- it also helps save you money by lowering the amount of electricity, gas, oil or other types of energy you need to consume," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "While there are some steps you can take to become more energy-efficient on your own, living in the right area can give you a big boost. For example, certain states have much better public transportation systems that minimize your need to drive, at least in big cities. Some places also have better-constructed buildings that retain heat better during the winter or stay cooler during the summer."
Yes, there are plenty of little things policy makers and politicians could be doing to help businesses and households improve energy efficiency and keep a little money in their pockets.
They can start by not behaving as though energy responsibility is a reflection of a person's political leaning, or that wanting to save money and consume less energy is an indicator of a person's stance on any number of other issues.
West Virginians who want to be more careful about the money they spend (and that's just about all of us, these days) deserve to know local and state politicians will at the very least stay out of their way if they try.