December 6th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Electric grid operator PJM Interconnection estimates it will cost more than $14 billion dollars to provide electricity for 2025-2026, up from $2.2 billion last year. PJM says increased usage, power plant shutdowns and increased operation costs are all driving up the cost of electricity. West Virginians saw a 90% increase in electricity bills between 2005 and 2020. Grid operators like PJM use a capacity auction process to make sure there's enough power available to meet future demand. In the most recent auction, critics say PJM failed to plan adequately for power needs with coal plants being shuttered across the region and alternative sources not being added to the power grid.