Charleston Gazette-Mail
WV Senate fast-tracking bill that would weaken protection from oil, gas tank spills
The Senate passed Senator Chris Rose’s legislation after a long discussion on Wednesday. The legislation weakens protections passed in the Aboveground Storage Tank Act of 2014, which passed in response to the Freedom Industries contamination of the Elk River. Read more about it from Mike Tony HERE and HERE.
Caption: There’s still time to fight back against Com Sub SB641. Take action here.
WV lawmakers advance plant use directive, nine-figure tax break for the coal industry
Cheaper, more efficient energy sources have been embraced over the years, yet WV legislators continue to do everything in their power to prop up coal. HB 4026, led by Senator Chris Rose, places restrictions on solar and wind resource investment in utilities. Read more about the legislative hit to renewables HERE.
Public comments unheeded, questions unanswered after Penzance data center announced
Governor Morrissey’s announcement about the Penzance data center comes after a host of negative feedback from residents across West Virginia. The data center is a resubmission from Penzance, and will be located on more than 500 acres in Berkeley County. Read more from Mike Tony HERE.
Mountain State Spotlight
State lawmakers chip away at water protections as Senate moves to weaken aboveground storage tank rules
12 years ago, Freedom Industries storage tanks leaked the corrosive chemical MCHM into the Elk River — contaminating the water supply of hundreds of thousands of West Virginians. Legislators quickly passed the Aboveground Storage Tank Act in an attempt to prevent the crisis from happening again. But now lawmakers are moving quickly to weaken that legislation. Read more from Tre Spencer HERE.
West Virginia Watch
Tensions rise as WV Senate passes bill to loosen regulation of storage tanks near drinking water
SB 641 blazed through the Senate before being passed. It would reclassify storage tanks near zones of critical concern holding “50,000 gallons or less of brine water or other liquids produced by hydrocarbon activities”, according to reporter Caity Coyne of West Virginia Watch. She reports on more details HERE. To learn more about SB 641’s progression through the Senate, read Caity’s article HERE.
Parkersburg Sentinel
Water boards, Washington County officials call for moratorium on injection wells ahead of trip to Columbus
Government and citizen advocacy groups are banding together in neighboring Ohio against injection wells. They’re asking state leaders to place a temporary moratorium. Learn more about their efforts HERE.
