It’s been easy over the past nine months to see West Virginia not just falling behind, but getting outmatched at every turn in the “Economic Backyard Brawl” against our neighboring states.

But perhaps there is a game plan finally coming together on the West Virginia sideline, as earlier this month, Gov. Patrick Morrisey, during a stop in Wheeling, unveiled his “50 by 50 Generation Plan,” which would see the Mountain State increase its baseload power production from its current 15 gigawatts to 50 gigawatts by 2050.

That increase — fueled by coal, natural gas and perhaps nuclear energy — would power the nation as electricity demand is expected to increase greatly in the coming decades to power the AI revolution.

It also would create jobs and economic growth — all while reinforcing West Virginia’s identity as an energy state.

“America must either find a way to dramatically increase its power production, or China will eclipse our nation in a technological battle that will undermine our national security,” Morrisey said. “It is unacceptable for us to turn our back on the very industries that made this nation great. It is unacceptable to ignore the vast natural resources under our feet that provide energy security. It is unacceptable to walk away from these industries and leave them to fend for themselves. It is unacceptable and West Virginia is not going to do it.

“When it comes to energy, West Virginia needs to be out front. It needs to lead.”

Much must happen to make this a reality — regulatory approval, buy-in from the utility companies, private investment, and much more — but Morrisey is correct in noting that America, a nation built in many ways on affordable and reliable power, cannot cede the world’s energy future.

“I recognize it is ambitious. I recognize it will be challenging, if not downright difficult. But we have no choice,” he said. “The need is coming whether we like it or not. … We have the patriotic duty, the solemn obligation, to meet this challenge head-on. Inaction is not an option. It’s not who we are.”

There are numerous hurdles to overcome to make this plan a reality, but perhaps this is the rallying cry the state and its leaders have been seeking to move away from a focus on social issues.

West Virginia’s future will not be about vaccines or DEI, but instead about bringing talented new people here, bringing businesses here, growing the state’s economy and turning around decades of malaise. That’s the future we all must hope to see.