From the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity ENERGY EXPENDITURES BY WEST VIRGINIA FAMILIES

April 2015

The report “Energy Cost Impacts on West Virginia Families”1 provides up-to- date information and data on energy expenditures by West Virginia families at different income levels.

Key findings indicate that higher energy prices, such as those caused by EPA policies, will harm lower-income and middle-income families in the state.

•   There are more than 400,000 lower-income and middle-income families in West Virginia. These families represent more than half the state’s households and take home an average of less than $1,900 per month (about $22,000 per year) after taxes. These same families spend 17% of their family budgets on energy.

•   Real family incomes have declined since 2001. Declining family incomes magnify the effects of higher energy prices on lower-income and middle -income families.

•   Minorities and senior citizens are especially vulnerable to energy price increases due to their lower household incomes.

•   Energy expenditures for lower-income and middle-income families in West Virginia have risen to a level at which they are competing with other basic necessities -- such as housing, food and health care -- in fam- ily budgets.

•   EPA’s proposed carbon rules for existing power plants are projected to increase electricity prices in West Virginia by at least 10%, adding to the burden of higher energy prices.