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OVEC Statement on Drilling Under Ohio River
Since late summer of 2014, OVEC has been monitoring developments related to the sale of mineral rights under the Ohio River. It seems now that several corporations — most recently Statoil — are now announcing purchase of these mineral rights and intention to drill under the Ohio River.
FERC Hear This on Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Many have suggested we accept gas development and the proposed pipeline because of the jobs it brings. I raised two children here, and yes, I would love it if they could stay and make a decent living here. But not if they must risk their health working with hazardous materials. Not if their work would contribute to destroying the quality of life of fellow community members. Not if their work is harmful to the water, air, and ecosystems that sustain us. No job is worth what this pipeline and accompanying gas development will destroy.
Scope This: Comment to FERC on #Fracking Atlantic Coast Pipeline
We wanted to make sure you know about these FERC public scoping meetings on the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline: Tonight, Monday, March 23, 2015 at 7:00 PM. Elkins High School, 100 Kennedy Drive, Elkins, WV. Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 7:00 PM. Bridgeport High School, 515 Johnson Avenue, Bridgeport, WV.
Rogersville Deep Shale Drilling Next for Our Area?
Fracking operators are queuing up to dive into the deep Rogersville Shale deposit, located beneath eastern Kentucky and parts of southern and west-central West Virginia.
Rogersville Shale Info Sheet
Rogersville Shale map and some gleanings from Internet research.
Legal Action Taken to Protect West Virginia From Lax Oversight of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Seven local, regional and national groups today filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Office of Surface Mining for failing to intervene on West Virginia’s lax oversight of mountaintop removal and other destructive surface coal mining — a state program that has, for decades, allowed the coal industry to ravage the environment, putting people at risk and destroying local communities.
Citing Health Hazards, Citizens Demand End to MTR Permits
oday approximately 200 West Virginians rallied for healthy communities at the West Virginia Dept. of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) headquarters in Charleston. The People’s Foot, a coalition of West Virginia groups and individuals, held the “No More Mountaintop Removal Permits Day” to demand that the WVDEP stop issuing new permits for this coal extraction method. Mountaintop removal causes clouds of fine blasting dust, known to promote lung cancer and other diseases, to drift through communities.
How Much Crude Lost from the WV Oil Train Explosion?
So, how much oil went up in flames after 19 of the oil train cars exploded? How much oil was excavated from the site where the cars exploded and was taken to a landfill near Charleston, WV? How much oil was pumped from the site and put into frac tanks and shipped off to be processed and "disposed" of? And how much oil spilled into Armstrong Creek and the Kanawha River? At least CSX should be able to say how much lost "product" there was exactly, and then estimates could be made as to how much of the rest went where. We have some answers, but many questions remain.
Defend Our Water: Urgent! Last Push – Calls Needed on Tank Bill
--Please, right away Tell Speaker Tim Armstead to not roll back water protections and reject SB 423 as-is. E-mail him at [email protected] or call 304-340-3210. If you can, hand deliver your comments to Speaker Armstead’s office, Room 228M at the State Capitol. You may see some like-minded, water-drinking friends there.
Environmental Groups Align Efforts to Challenge FERC Pipeline Projects
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is not informing the public about the big picture when it comes to natural gas infrastructure projects related to increased gas drilling in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations according to several environmental groups. The groups represent interests in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia and are concerned that the regional impacts to forests, watersheds, air quality, and wildlife are largely being ignored as FERC approves new gas pipelines and compressor stations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The groups contend that FERC’s rush to increase natural gas infrastructure incentivizes fracking for shale gas while stifling the development of renewable energy.
The People’s Foot: No More MTR Permits Day
The WV DEP continues to ignore the studies that show mountaintop removal is drastically harming our health and cutting our lives short. The DEP continues to issue mountaintop removal permits that allow the coal industry to blast West Virginia mountains with high explosives, unleashing fine particulates of silica, aluminum, and molybdenum dust. These dust particulates are proven to promote lung tumors. Time to put your foot down! No more mountaintop removal permits.
Synopsis: Association Between Residence Near Surface Coal Mining and Blood Inflammation
Main points: C-reactive protein in blood among mining community members is elevated for adults living near […]
Necessary Improvements to SB 423 Aboveground Storage Tank Act
Necessary Improvements to SB 423 Aboveground Storage Tank Act
SB 423: Jailing Those Who Tells Us What’s in Those Tanks?
Check out pages 28 and 29, and the Orwellian-named section §22-30-14 of SB 423: Gutting the Aboveground Storage Tank Bill.
Support Clean Water, Come Out: Tank Bill Public Hearing Friday
We urgently need water drinkers to come out to a public hearing on this bill set for Friday, March 6 at 8:30 a.m. in the WV House Chamber. Either come to comment or come to support those who are commenting for clean water.
Quakers Force PNC Bank to End Investment in Mountaintop Removal
Bowing to pressure from Quaker environmentalists, yesterday PNC Bank announced that it will be restricting financing of mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia. The shift outlined in its 2015 Corporate Responsibility Report means PNC Bank will effectively cease its investment in this controversial practice.
Kerry Chad Albright: Creek Respect
The miracle baby of Buffalo Creek, Kerry Chad Albright, pays respect to the waters of life on this anniversary of the terrible incident.
Take Action on MTR Permits, For Your Health; More
Put your foot down! Come out March 16 to tell DEP: No more mountaintop removal permits, for the sake of out health! Plus more in this OVEC Action Alert.
Rogersville Shale: Next for West Virginia?
The Rogersville Shale lies under much of Eastern Kentucky and extends into West Virginia. Be on the lookout for gas company landmen! Do not sign a lease without checking with a lawyer knowledgeable on oil and gas issues.