EPA Clean Air Act Rule Change Proposal
The EPA is proposing a rule change under the Clean Air Act that would allow industry to increase emissions without setting up and using emissions control technology. Read more and learn how to comment on the proposal HERE.
MARL Project
If you’re planning to attend any of the Public Service Commission hearings for NextEra’s MARL project, consider reading the following to learn more:
MARL power line cost estimates become clearer — and higher for WV ratepayers
The proposed $1.16 billion NextEra project will cross multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Monongalia, Preston, Mineral, and Hampshire Counties are all slated to become home to miles of the transmission line. MARL will cause rate hikes for Appalachian Power, Wheeling Power, Mon Power, and Potomac Edison residential customers. Read more about it HERE.
Charleston Gazette-Mail
EPA proposes weakening coal-fired power plant wastewater pollution standards
The EPA is proposing to weaken more pollution standards that would hit West Virginians hard. This time it’s wastewater pollution. Read more HERE.
‘Systematic failure’: Reports highlight vast miner health, safety risks amid Trump cuts
Trump has continued to cut MSHA staff, terminating a commissioner and other staff members at an independent agency that adjudicates legal disputes about miner health and safety — a move backed by Rep. Carol Miller. Read more HERE.
EPA moves to fast-track air permitting for data centers, power plants, other industry
The EPA is proposing a rule change under the Clean Air Act that would allow industry to increase emissions without setting up and using emissions control technology. Read more and learn how to comment on the proposal HERE.
As comment hearings loom, opposition builds against NextERA’s MARL project across WV
Only the public, not NextERA or other involved parties, will be allowed to speak at upcoming hearings. Learn more about the project and local and state government responses HERE.
Spring Valley students take classroom to creek for water quality project
In Huntington, high school students are learning about water quality through local creek beds. The hands-on project is possible through Foundation for Ohio River Education’s River Watchers program. Read more HERE.
Morrisey embraces climate-change denialists at conference amid EPA health threats
Governor Morrisey stood with leaders and supporters of the Heartland Institute by attending and speaking at the think tank’s 16th International Conference on Climate Change — an advocacy conference for denying climate change. Read more about it HERE.
Officials were in the dark on key chemical in fatal Nitro industrial site incident
New information shows that M-2000A, a dangerous chemical, was not included in Catalyst Refiner Inc.’s Tier II Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory form. Emergency officials say inclusion would have benefited their response. Read more HERE.
Average ApCO residential monthly bill set to rise $5+ after PSC rate hike approval
Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power customers will now pay more for their electric bills after the state’s Public Service Commission approved an inflation-based rate increase. Read more about it HERE.
Financial warnings, energy approach call Frontieras business viability into question
Despite a mountain of evidence, Frontieras CEO Matthew McKean believes carbon emissions aren’t causing the planet to warm at a faster rate than ever before. McKean published a blog post earlier this month arguing that oil, gas, and coal are an economic solution for West Virginia thanks to his company’s “advanced carbon product”. Frontieras North America recently broke ground in Mason County on a nearly 200 acre site for processing 7,500 tons of coal per day. Read more about the CEO’s blog post and the company’s plans in West Virginia HERE.
Nucor CEO sees need for more US nuclear power to stay a ‘superpower’ in AI, computing
As data centers pop up all over the country, Nucor CEO Leon Topalian sees an opportunity to increase business. Topalian says the AI boom will require more electricity than solar and wind can provide. He believes it’s time for additional investment in nuclear power. Read more HERE.
Mountain State Spotlight
West Virginians can’t afford their rising power bills. They want elected officials to act on rate relief.
People all over the state had their electricity bills in mind when voting in this month’s election. The past few years have consisted of steady increases in utility bills. Read more about it HERE.
After lawmakers stripped local control over data center projects, West Virginians say they’ll take their grievances to the ballot box
Another data center is being proposed on the edge of Mingo County. Data centers are unpopular in West Virginia, especially given the local control stripped by the Governor and state lawmakers. Voters are taking those opinions and feelings to the polls. Read more HERE.
West Virginia is one of the deadliest states for workers. Federal safety rollbacks could make things worse.
The fatal chemical incident in Nitro is one of many occupational fatalities happening in West Virginia annually. We rank 7th in the list of worst states for work fatalities. Read about it HERE.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Renewable Energy Grows Nationwide, Including W.Va.
Most states receive at least 10% of their energy from renewables, according to a new report from Environment America. Wyoming and South Dakota get most of their energy from renewables. Read and listen for more information about the prospect of renewables in the US.
Understanding If An Electric Vehicle Is Right For You, This West Virginia Morning
As the price of gas continues to rise, some might be considering an electric vehicle. This West Virginia Morning might be able to help with that decision. Read and listen for more HERE.
Fracking Proposals And Possible Impacts, This West Virginia Morning
Oil and gas royalties could help pay for environmental impacts from fracking. Listen HERE for more.
Mon Forest Partnership Hopes To Fund Trail Maintenance
A new project launched in counties bordering the Monongahela Forest that will help tackle the overdue maintenance needed on trails. Read more about it HERE.
Black Diamond Power Takeover Moves Forward
Last year, the WVPSC determined that Black Diamond Power’s service to residents in Clay, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties was “inadequate and unreasonable”. The communities might finally get relief. Read more about the timeline of events HERE.
West Virginia Watch
Year-round ethanol blend bill passed by US House faces uncertain Senate path
Oil prices are breaking the bank right now. Federal officials are working to lower the cost of gasoline by blending it with 15% ethanol — a controversial move that could have negative impacts on consumers’ engines. Read more about the debate HERE.
Data center battles started in the states. Now it’s Congress under siege.
As data center development spreads all over the country, community debates have spread to Congress and the White House. Read more HERE.
WV data czar recognizes need to improve public communications over data center developments, HB 2014
Chris Morris, the director of the Data Economy Office recently admitted that the department could do a better job of communicating data center developments with the public. Caity Coyne reports more on his statements during recent meetings with the Legislature.
Hope Gas, WV state school board launch energy certification training program for students in Logan
Hope Gas and the WV Board of Education have created a new job pipeline for high school students interested in entering the energy workforce. Read more HERE.
Citing ‘unsustainable stress’ from price volatility, grid operator PJM lays out reform options
Electricity prices are hitting most people’s wallets particularly hard these days. Electricity demands are climbing as old power plants are retired, which PJM claims is part of the price volatility. Read more about it HERE.
