Category: Newsletter article
Individual articles for various ‘issues’ of newsletters (i.e., articles for a GREEN Newsletter or Legislative Update).
585 posts found, showing 20 per page
Newsletter article Angie Rosser February 21, 2015
Angie Rosser: Another water safety lesson learned?
More than oil burned along the Kanawha River in Fayette County February 16. Public trust of government, which had risen after the aggressive actions to protect water following last year’s water crisis, may be going up in smoke, too. More
Issues: Water
Angie Rosser: Another water safety lesson learned?
More than oil burned along the Kanawha River in Fayette County February 16. Public trust of government, which had risen after the aggressive actions to protect water following last year’s water crisis, may be going up in smoke, too. More
Issues: Water
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 21, 2015
Hoping for a Flying LEEP!
Energy Efficient West Virginia, the WVEC and others have been working on a bill that would authorize local governments to adopt local energy effiency partnership (LEEP) programs, which are funding mechanisms to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Bonds backed by savings on energy costs would pay for the efficiency upgrades, and the bonds would be repaid by commercial building owners on their tax assessments. Currently thirty states have similar programs in place, and Kentucky's House of Representatives approved a bill to authorize such a program. More
Issues: Energy efficiency, Legislation
Hoping for a Flying LEEP!
Energy Efficient West Virginia, the WVEC and others have been working on a bill that would authorize local governments to adopt local energy effiency partnership (LEEP) programs, which are funding mechanisms to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Bonds backed by savings on energy costs would pay for the efficiency upgrades, and the bonds would be repaid by commercial building owners on their tax assessments. Currently thirty states have similar programs in place, and Kentucky's House of Representatives approved a bill to authorize such a program. More
Issues: Energy efficiency, Legislation
Newsletter article Rob Goodwin February 21, 2015
Bi-Partisan Leadership from Kanawha County Delegation Moves Category A Protections Smoothly to House Floor
Friday Afternoon the House Judiciary Committee approved the proposed rule with-out amendments that would restore 72 miles of the Kanawha River to Category A status. This is the first step in making those 72 miles of river eligible for use as public drinking water after conventional treatment. Del. Mike Azinger from Wood County was the only dissenting vote. More
Issues: Water
Bi-Partisan Leadership from Kanawha County Delegation Moves Category A Protections Smoothly to House Floor
Friday Afternoon the House Judiciary Committee approved the proposed rule with-out amendments that would restore 72 miles of the Kanawha River to Category A status. This is the first step in making those 72 miles of river eligible for use as public drinking water after conventional treatment. Del. Mike Azinger from Wood County was the only dissenting vote. More
Issues: Water
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 20, 2015
“Accidental Activists”
There are plenty of stories of people who became “activists” after last year’s water crisis. One of those is Jeni Burns, whose Charleston catering business, Ms. Groovy’s Kitchen, was forced to shut down for several days because of the chemical spill. During the 2014 session, Jeni spent many hours pounding the marble halls advocating for S.B. 373, the landmark water protection bill that was passed unanimously last year in response to the spill. More
Issues: Recycling, Water
“Accidental Activists”
There are plenty of stories of people who became “activists” after last year’s water crisis. One of those is Jeni Burns, whose Charleston catering business, Ms. Groovy’s Kitchen, was forced to shut down for several days because of the chemical spill. During the 2014 session, Jeni spent many hours pounding the marble halls advocating for S.B. 373, the landmark water protection bill that was passed unanimously last year in response to the spill. More
Issues: Recycling, Water
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 20, 2015
In the press recently:
Pertaining to the "Coal Jobs and Safety Act:" W.Va. lawmakers tweaking environmental, safety regs to aid flailing coal sector (SNL Financial). Pertaining to the Fayette County train derailment: Derailment highlights crude oil train, water safety issues (by Ken Ward, Jr. in the Gazette). Pertaining to "Category A" status for the Kanawha River: Lawmakers consider change for the mighty Kanawha (MetroNews), Lawmakers urged to keep drinking water protections (by Ken Ward, Jr. in the Gazette), Kanawha drinking water rule advances (by Ken Ward, Jr. in the Gazette) More
Issues: Category A, Coal, Water
In the press recently:
Pertaining to the "Coal Jobs and Safety Act:" W.Va. lawmakers tweaking environmental, safety regs to aid flailing coal sector (SNL Financial). Pertaining to the Fayette County train derailment: Derailment highlights crude oil train, water safety issues (by Ken Ward, Jr. in the Gazette). Pertaining to "Category A" status for the Kanawha River: Lawmakers consider change for the mighty Kanawha (MetroNews), Lawmakers urged to keep drinking water protections (by Ken Ward, Jr. in the Gazette), Kanawha drinking water rule advances (by Ken Ward, Jr. in the Gazette) More
Issues: Category A, Coal, Water
Newsletter article Bill Price February 14, 2015
Crunch Time
If you’ve been reading these messages the past few weeks, you’ve seen me write about getting out of our silos and getting involved in all of the anti-water legislation that is moving through the WV Legislature this year. Over the next several days, we are in what I can only describe as “crunch time” and we need YOU. More
Issues: Category A, Coal, Water
Crunch Time
If you’ve been reading these messages the past few weeks, you’ve seen me write about getting out of our silos and getting involved in all of the anti-water legislation that is moving through the WV Legislature this year. Over the next several days, we are in what I can only describe as “crunch time” and we need YOU. More
Issues: Category A, Coal, Water
Newsletter article Conni Lewis February 14, 2015
E-Day, you and your legislators
E-Day is coming soon! Time to make an appointment with your legislators to share your concerns about our water and our air and our future. gold-dome www.legis.state.wv.us has all the information you need to contact your delegates and senators. Bring your passion and your love for the state. We will have the talking points if you need them. E-Day will be at the Capitol from 9 to 3 February 18. See you then. More
Issues: Eday
E-Day, you and your legislators
E-Day is coming soon! Time to make an appointment with your legislators to share your concerns about our water and our air and our future. gold-dome www.legis.state.wv.us has all the information you need to contact your delegates and senators. Bring your passion and your love for the state. We will have the talking points if you need them. E-Day will be at the Capitol from 9 to 3 February 18. See you then. More
Issues: Eday
Newsletter article Rob Goodwin February 14, 2015
HB2004 Anti-Clean Power Plan Bill heads to Senate Floor with $500,000 Fiscal Note
On Thursday, February, 12th the Senate Judiciary committee sent HB2004 to the Senate floor with an expected vote this week. HB2004 will require legislative approval before any state plan is submitted to EPA under the proposed Clean Power Plan rules to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Representatives of the WVDEP, Alpha Natural Resources, and the Attorney General’s office spoke before the committee and answered questions on the proposed measure. More
Issues: Coal, Energy, Energy efficiency
HB2004 Anti-Clean Power Plan Bill heads to Senate Floor with $500,000 Fiscal Note
On Thursday, February, 12th the Senate Judiciary committee sent HB2004 to the Senate floor with an expected vote this week. HB2004 will require legislative approval before any state plan is submitted to EPA under the proposed Clean Power Plan rules to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Representatives of the WVDEP, Alpha Natural Resources, and the Attorney General’s office spoke before the committee and answered questions on the proposed measure. More
Issues: Coal, Energy, Energy efficiency
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 14, 2015
Category A: the latest
On Tuesday morning, H.B. 2289 passed out of the House Industry and Labor Committee intact (yay!). This is the DEP rule change that would restore "Category A," or drinking water designation to the 72-mile stretch of the Kanawha River that runs through Charleston. Thanks to everyone who showed up for the meeting, and/or contacted committee members! More
Issues: Category A, DEP, Water
Category A: the latest
On Tuesday morning, H.B. 2289 passed out of the House Industry and Labor Committee intact (yay!). This is the DEP rule change that would restore "Category A," or drinking water designation to the 72-mile stretch of the Kanawha River that runs through Charleston. Thanks to everyone who showed up for the meeting, and/or contacted committee members! More
Issues: Category A, DEP, Water
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 14, 2015
Roundup of the week’s activities
There was no movement this week on H.B. 2574/S.B 423, "Gutting the Aboveground Storage Tank Act." But we're expecting S.B. 423 to appear on the agenda of the Senate Judiciary Committee early in the week. Please tell them NOT to gut the water protections we achieved last year in S.B. 373! Tell them to reject this bill! More
Issues: Aboveground tanks, Aluminum, Legislation, Pollution, Regulation, Water
Roundup of the week’s activities
There was no movement this week on H.B. 2574/S.B 423, "Gutting the Aboveground Storage Tank Act." But we're expecting S.B. 423 to appear on the agenda of the Senate Judiciary Committee early in the week. Please tell them NOT to gut the water protections we achieved last year in S.B. 373! Tell them to reject this bill! More
Issues: Aboveground tanks, Aluminum, Legislation, Pollution, Regulation, Water
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 14, 2015
Please join us for E-day on Wednesday!
E-day is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the lower rotunda. There will be a press conference at noon, lots of cool displays to look at, and guidance available for citizen lobbying. More
Issues: Eday
Please join us for E-day on Wednesday!
E-day is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the lower rotunda. There will be a press conference at noon, lots of cool displays to look at, and guidance available for citizen lobbying. More
Issues: Eday
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 14, 2015
Bills We Are Tracking
Issues: Energy efficiency, Renewable energy, Water
Bills We Are Tracking
Issues: Energy efficiency, Renewable energy, Water
Newsletter article Bill Price February 7, 2015
How Does the WV Legislature ♥ Dirtier Water? Let Us Count the Ways…
This was certainly the week of water in the WV Legislature. I wish I could say that it was a good thing. But unfortunately, members of the Legislature seem determined to move us backward by leaps and bounds when it comes to ensuring that people in WV have safe, clean water to drink, to make baby formula with, to take medicine with or to brush our teeth with. They seem determined to put the interests of the polluters over the health and well- being of our people. They talk about the costs of strong laws to industry, but ignore the cost of last year’s chemical spill to businesses, particularly small businesses, and the years of disregard for water quality standards in our rural areas where people are dependent on private wells for drinking water. More
Issues: Aluminum, Pollution, Selenium, Water
How Does the WV Legislature ♥ Dirtier Water? Let Us Count the Ways…
This was certainly the week of water in the WV Legislature. I wish I could say that it was a good thing. But unfortunately, members of the Legislature seem determined to move us backward by leaps and bounds when it comes to ensuring that people in WV have safe, clean water to drink, to make baby formula with, to take medicine with or to brush our teeth with. They seem determined to put the interests of the polluters over the health and well- being of our people. They talk about the costs of strong laws to industry, but ignore the cost of last year’s chemical spill to businesses, particularly small businesses, and the years of disregard for water quality standards in our rural areas where people are dependent on private wells for drinking water. More
Issues: Aluminum, Pollution, Selenium, Water
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 7, 2015
“Gutting the Aboveground Storage Tank Act”
The worst bill to hit the ground this week was H.B. 2574/S.B. 423, "Amending the Aboveground Storage Tank Act." It should read "Gutting the Aboveground Storage Tank Act." The Aboveground Storage Tank Act was created by last year's landmark S.B. 373, which passed both houses unanimously. More
Issues: Legislation, Regulation, Water
“Gutting the Aboveground Storage Tank Act”
The worst bill to hit the ground this week was H.B. 2574/S.B. 423, "Amending the Aboveground Storage Tank Act." It should read "Gutting the Aboveground Storage Tank Act." The Aboveground Storage Tank Act was created by last year's landmark S.B. 373, which passed both houses unanimously. More
Issues: Legislation, Regulation, Water
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 7, 2015
Update on Category A
Last week we told you about the DEP's proposed rule change to restore "Category A" (drinking water) protection to a portion of the Kanawha River from Belle to the Kanawha's confluence with the Ohio. The rule has been introduced as S.B. 167 and H.B. 2289. More
Issues: DEP, Water
Update on Category A
Last week we told you about the DEP's proposed rule change to restore "Category A" (drinking water) protection to a portion of the Kanawha River from Belle to the Kanawha's confluence with the Ohio. The rule has been introduced as S.B. 167 and H.B. 2289. More
Issues: DEP, Water
Newsletter article Rob Goodwin February 7, 2015
Coal Industry Took a Risk with Mountaintop Removal and Are Asking Legislature for a Bail Out
House Bill 2566, the Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015, should be called the Coal Industry Bail Out Act of 2015.Testimony from Alpha Natural Resources and the WV Coal Association this week before committees in the House and Senate could not have made the intent of this act clearer. The proposal is an effort through deregulation to cut costs in a struggling industry. A major component of the bill is to create a permit shield that will attempt to enable the coal industry to escape the liability in clean-up costs of hundreds of miles of streams it has polluted through the misguided risky practice of Mountaintop Removal. More
Issues: Coal, DEP, Pollution, Water
Coal Industry Took a Risk with Mountaintop Removal and Are Asking Legislature for a Bail Out
House Bill 2566, the Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015, should be called the Coal Industry Bail Out Act of 2015.Testimony from Alpha Natural Resources and the WV Coal Association this week before committees in the House and Senate could not have made the intent of this act clearer. The proposal is an effort through deregulation to cut costs in a struggling industry. A major component of the bill is to create a permit shield that will attempt to enable the coal industry to escape the liability in clean-up costs of hundreds of miles of streams it has polluted through the misguided risky practice of Mountaintop Removal. More
Issues: Coal, DEP, Pollution, Water
Newsletter article Vickie Wolfe February 7, 2015
The Aluminum Rule Change is Baa-ack…
You may recall that a couple of years ago, the DEP proposed a rule change that would calculate allowable levels of aluminum in streams based on the water's hardness. During the 2014 legislative session, the Senate asked the DEP to pull the rule change, because legislators didn't think it would be a good idea to vote for dirtier water so soon after the Freedom Industries spill. More
Issues: Aluminum, Coal, DEP, Water
The Aluminum Rule Change is Baa-ack…
You may recall that a couple of years ago, the DEP proposed a rule change that would calculate allowable levels of aluminum in streams based on the water's hardness. During the 2014 legislative session, the Senate asked the DEP to pull the rule change, because legislators didn't think it would be a good idea to vote for dirtier water so soon after the Freedom Industries spill. More
Issues: Aluminum, Coal, DEP, Water
Newsletter article Conni Lewis February 7, 2015
What I know about coal and the industry
At Thursday's public hearing on the "Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015", I was proud to see environmentalists and the UMWA stand together in opposition to an assault on safety, our shared environment and, in fact, hope for the future. It's a shame that it's necessary to even have such a hearing, a shame that the coal industry even wants these changes and a shame that the industry wants people and our waters to pay the price for their actions. Environmentalists and coal miners shouldn't be adversaries, but it is in other people's interests to make it seem that way. More
Issues: Coal, Water
What I know about coal and the industry
At Thursday's public hearing on the "Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015", I was proud to see environmentalists and the UMWA stand together in opposition to an assault on safety, our shared environment and, in fact, hope for the future. It's a shame that it's necessary to even have such a hearing, a shame that the coal industry even wants these changes and a shame that the industry wants people and our waters to pay the price for their actions. Environmentalists and coal miners shouldn't be adversaries, but it is in other people's interests to make it seem that way. More
Issues: Coal, Water
Newsletter article John Christensen February 7, 2015
Net Metering Bills take on new meaning this week
We had some good news as well as some bad news this week on the Net Metering protection front. First the good news, HB 2001, the companion bill to SB 1, the first two bills introduced in the 2015 WV Legislative session, passed out of both bodies, clean and untouched except for the addition of the section on Net Metering as found in the AREPS law (that was 99% repealed), and was signed by the governor to be one of the first completed pieces of legislation. We were hoping that would be the end of the story. Not so fast. There are still two Net Metering (as amended) bills out there to watch (SB 1 and HB 2201) and negotiate and repair or kill. More
Issues: Net metering, Renewable energy
Net Metering Bills take on new meaning this week
We had some good news as well as some bad news this week on the Net Metering protection front. First the good news, HB 2001, the companion bill to SB 1, the first two bills introduced in the 2015 WV Legislative session, passed out of both bodies, clean and untouched except for the addition of the section on Net Metering as found in the AREPS law (that was 99% repealed), and was signed by the governor to be one of the first completed pieces of legislation. We were hoping that would be the end of the story. Not so fast. There are still two Net Metering (as amended) bills out there to watch (SB 1 and HB 2201) and negotiate and repair or kill. More
Issues: Net metering, Renewable energy