West Virginians Agree:
Fix the Grid Now
Voters across the state support modernizing our electric grid. And they’re ready to back leaders who act.
95% of West Virginians
Support Modernizing the Grid
- 68% say it’s very important
- Support spans regions, parties, and communities
65% of Voters Will Support
Candidates Who Fix the Grid
- Only a small minority oppose
- 76% of strong Trump supporters back pro-grid candidates
“These findings show that electric reliability is a widely shared concern. Voters across the state recognize the importance of maintaining and improving the infrastructure that keeps power reliable.”
– Mark Blankenship, CEO of MBE Research conducted the poll.
This Is Not a Divided Issue
Support is overwhelming and consistent statewide
- Urban and rural voters agree.
- Strong support in counties directly impacted by transmission
- 68% agree it’s a “very important priority” in Preston, Mineral, Monongalia and Hampshire counties, where there is a proposed project.
- 71% agree it’s a “very important priority” in 11 central counties with proposed transmission development.
Bottom line:
West Virginia voters say, fix it!
Voters Are Responding to Real Problems
West Virginians are not guessing. They’re experiencing it.
- Nearly 3 outages per year
- Over 15 hours without power annually
- Far worse than the national average
- 1 in 5 residents report 4+ outages in a year
This is why support is so strong.
One-in-Five West Virginians (21%) have experienced 4+ Power Outages in the past year.
“In the past 12 months, about how often (if at all) has your home lost electricity for 1 hour or longer due to an outage?”
What Voters Expect
Voters see grid modernization as practical. They believe it will:
1. Reduce Outages
2. Restore Power Faster
3. Strengthen Infrastructure
4. Support jobs and local economies
“West Virginians are speaking with a clear voice. They overwhelmingly want a stronger, more reliable grid that supports jobs, lowers long-term costs, and drives economic growth. A small but vocal group of sometimes misinformed opponents is attempting to delay these projects, and every delay drives up the cost of transmission for everyone. The facts are clear. Modern transmission attracts investment, improves reliability, and positions our state to compete both outside and within our borders. President Trump has made clear that upgrading America’s energy infrastructure is a priority. West Virginia should lead the way.”
– Craig Blair, Executive Director of West Virginians for Reliable and Affordable Energy (WVRAE)
The Message Is Clear
Voters want action
They reward leaders who act
They expect solutions now
Modernizing the grid is not controversial. It’s expected.
Make Your Voice Heard
Contact the Governor and your state legislators today. Tell them West Virginia voters support grid modernization – and that you expect them to act.
Methodology: The survey was conducted among 604 registered West Virginia voters using mixed-mode data collection methods including online responses, live calls, and text-to-web participation. The survey sponsored by West Virginians for Reliable and Affordable Energy and conducted by MBE Research to better understand attitudes and opinions on a host of important public issues. Fieldwork took place between February 6 and February 13, 2026. The margin of error for the statewide sample is ±4 percentage points.