Charleston Gazette-Mail
Lawsuit: ‘Staggering’ that 2,400 Wayne customers were without water for 3 weeks
Residents in Wayne County, West Virginia, finally had clean drinking water restored after nearly 5,000 gallons of oil leaked into Twelvepole Creek. On February 5, a potential class action lawsuit was filed against the Town of Wayne and Appalachian Power. Read more about it in “Lawsuit: ‘Staggering’ that 2,400 Wayne customers were without water for 3 weeks.”
A caution sign warns people not to enter land due to pesticide usage. Photographed by Austin Valley.
WV bill barring use of toxic pesticides near schools opposed by state, farm industry
HB 4907 would ban the use of toxic pesticides within 1,000 feet of schools. The restricted chemicals include dicamba, which has been linked to cancer, and paraquat, a commonly used herbicide that’s banned in more than 70 countries, among others. However, both the state’s agriculture industry and the governor’s administration are against the bill. Read all the details in “WV bill barring use of toxic pesticides near schools opposed by state, farm industry.”
WV lawmakers advancing bills that risk adding to water utility and PSD burdens
Too many West Virginians experience inconsistent clean water access. Community water systems are more important to the state than in many other parts of the U.S. Despite this, state lawmakers are advancing legislation that could make things even tougher. Read more in “WV lawmakers advancing bills that risk adding to water utility and PSD burdens.”
WV leaders double down on hiding project information as they ramp up data center push
West Virginians have continued to fight back against invasive data center development. State leaders continue to ignore calls for improved local oversight and transparency. There’s been little headway made in the way of transparency. Olivia Miller, interim executive director of our board member organization, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, was quoted on recent decisions by state leaders:
“We are up against a system that clearly prioritizes corporations over people and public health at nearly every turn,” Olivia Miller, interim executive director of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, said in a statement responding to the review board’s decision.
Read more in “WV leaders double down on hiding project information as they ramp up data center push.”
West Virginia Watch
WV GOP doesn’t want you to have nice things
WVEC President Quenton King wrote a commentary on his frustrations with the state GOP’s continued attacks on environmental policy. Read his thoughts in “WV GOP doesn’t want you to have nice things.”
A residential area is flooded by Dunlop Creek in the spring of 2010. Photo by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund needs money now
West Virginia Rivers Coalition’s community engagement manager, Carrie Decker, wrote a commentary on the dire need for flood resiliency funding. Read more in “The West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund needs money now.”
Trump administration completes rollback of Obama-era greenhouse gas regulations
The climate crisis continues to worsen, yet the Trump administration is working to curtail environmental policy progress. This week, the federal government repealed a key finding that helps the EPA regulate emissions. Jacob Fischler wrote more about what this loss means in his commentary “Trump administration completes rollback of Obama-era greenhouse gas regulations.”
Politico
Trump’s big climate reversal sets up a courtroom clash
The Trump administration’s move to revoke the “endangerment finding” could lead to court cases around the country. Alex Guillén reports more on the anticipated legal battles ahead in “Trump’s big climate reversal sets up a courtroom clash.”
