Sierra Club Report Assigns Failing Grades to Three West Virginia Utilities

Bluefield Beckley Oak Hill, WV, September 23, 2026 —

A report released by the Sierra Club has issued failing grades to three major electric utilities operating in West Virginia: Appalachian Power, MonPower, and Wheeling Power. The environmental organization’s findings highlight concerns regarding the companies’ progress in reducing pollution and operational costs.

According to the report, the utilities received poor marks due to their ongoing dependency on coal-fired power generation and their future plans which include expanding natural gas infrastructure. The Sierra Club suggests that these strategies are hindering adequate pollution reduction and cost efficiency.

The report advocates for a shift in the utilities’ energy strategies, recommending a more significant investment in renewable energy sources as an alternative to coal and expanded natural gas generation. Specific details regarding the exact metrics used for grading, the timeline of the report’s findings, or the financial implications of these energy choices were not explicitly detailed in the provided summary.

The specific amounts of pollution reductions, cost savings, or the projected expenses associated with coal and natural gas expansion were not specified in the report summary. Similarly, the contractor’s name or specific findings from any site inspections were not provided.

The Sierra Club’s report, as summarized, calls for a transition toward cleaner energy alternatives to address environmental concerns and potentially improve economic efficiency for consumers and the utilities themselves.

Story summarized from the original created by Brandy Lawrence on woay.com, see more information here.

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