Skip to main content

State energy pathway · West Virginia

Start with the energy systems shaping West Virginia.

West Virginia powers itself with coal and exports about two-fifths of the electricity it generates—the fifth-largest electricity export among all states. That dependence on coal shapes how the state thinks through energy decisions, because shifting that mix affects jobs, communities, and long-term planning. Students who learn what different energy scenarios mean for West Virginia discover why choices made in one place ripple through an entire region's future. That position gives West Virginia students a state-level example of how communities think through energy decisions when jobs, history, and long-term planning are all in the same room.

Energy data is from the EIA State Energy Data System, EIA State Electricity Profiles, NCSL State Energy Legislation Database, and state economic development offices.

See why energy matters hereJump to the matched course

Why Energy Matters in West Virginia

Coal Transition Pressures

West Virginia generates 87% of its electricity from coal—the highest share in any state—and is the nation's second-largest coal producer. Coal output has fallen to roughly half its 2008 peak, reshaping both the state's economy and its planning horizon. Students who model what different generation scenarios mean for West Virginia learn why energy decisions carry consequences that extend far beyond equipment.

Renewable Growth and Grid Planning

West Virginia operates wind farms including Mount Storm (264 MW, operational since 2008) and natural gas provides 6% of the state's electricity generation. The state enacted the Certified Microgrid Development Program (HB 2014) in 2025, signaling active planning around grid resilience and configuration. Students who model how wind, natural gas, and coal interact within a resilient grid system engage with questions West Virginia's planners are actually evaluating.

Latimer Energy Academy helps students in West Virginia compare grid scenarios to real-world data so the state's changing energy mix becomes a problem they can analyze rather than only debate.

Energy data is from the EIA State Energy Data System, EIA State Electricity Profiles, NCSL State Energy Legislation Database, and state economic development offices.

Start here for West Virginia

The Microgrid: Optimization & Resilience

West Virginia's generation mix is overwhelmingly coal, and the state is actively rethinking grid design through its new Certified Microgrid Development Program. Comparing what a model predicts against real grid behavior becomes essential when a state is evaluating whether and how to shift infrastructure. Students can use simulation to test what different scenarios would actually mean for West Virginia's grid.

Mission spotlight

Simulation Meets Reality

Students compare what their grid model predicts with actual system behavior, mirroring the way West Virginia has to evaluate what different energy futures would actually mean for a grid and economy still built around coal.

Included in LEA curriculum

Pilot proof

Students enjoy the work because it feels real.

In January 2026, 39 fourth-grade students in Indianapolis completed every lesson from start to finish — coding real pocket computers (microcontrollers), collecting live energy readings, and presenting findings to an audience.

4.6/5

Student enjoyment

72% of students gave it a 5-star rating

100%

Reported learning something new

Every student who took the survey said they learned something new

39

Students completed the entire course

Every student finished all five lessons, coded a pocket computer (microcontroller), and presented findings

Available to book today

Book the support that fits West Virginia.

Whether you want to get LEA into the hands of students this semester, plan for a pilot next year, or just learn more about the state-specific approach, you can book a session with our team to get the support you need.

School or district consultation

Review the state-specific entry point, pilot scope, and what implementation would look like for your classrooms.

Book this path

Founder-led instruction session

Bring Dr. Naeem Turner-Bandele in to teach a project and show what high-quality facilitation looks like with students.

Book this path

Family or community guidance

Get help choosing the right starting point for home learning, after-school use, or a community organization rollout.

Book this path

Utility or business partnership call

Discuss local workforce relevance, territory fit, and how we can collaborate to support energy education in your community.

Book this path

Find your path

Choose your next step based on how you want to use LEA in West Virginia.

Select your path below to see the approach designed for how you will use LEA in West Virginia — whether you run a classroom, lead a school, or support a student at home.

Find the right starting point

Schools

Curriculum and professional development for your district

Teachers

Lesson plans and resources for your classroom

Parents

Learn alongside your child with guided family activities

Community

Hands-on energy programs for clubs and community groups

Utilities

STEM outreach and workforce pipeline programs

Businesses

Partner with Latimer Energy Academy to build the energy and technology workforce