Newsletter Archive
News items
Mon Group August Event. The Mon Group of the Sierra Club organized a corn roast gathering at Krepps Park, Morgantown on August 19. Jim Kotcon brought corn that he had grown this year and roasted it. Others brought food to share. Music was provided by the New Wee Bluet group. During the event Jim Kotcon provided an update on issues of concern.
Mon Group July Event. The Mon Group of the Sierra Club organized a picnic, scavenger hunt, and nature walk at the Flegal Reservoir on Cobun Creek Road on Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. At 11:00 a.m. there was an easy 2.5-mile hike around Morgantown's newest reservoir with beautiful lakeside views. A food truck was available to sell lunches. The event was free and open to the public.
Sierra Club July Event. Daria Jones organized a Sierra Club table at the Appalachian Fly Fishing Festival in Thomas, WV.
Legislative Update. Go to the West Virginia Environmental Council GREEN Newsletter.
Proposed gas-fired power station. The West Virginia Public Service Commission held a public meeting on July 15 concerning the proposal by FirstEnergy subsidiaries MonPower and Potomac Edison to construct a 1.200-MW gas-fired power plant at Fort Martin in Monongalia County. The meeting was well attended, and 32 people spoke out against the proposal while none were in favor. Members of the West Virginia Sierra Club Chapter made multiple contributions. Further information about the meeting can be found at Metro News.
Transmission Lines. The construction of new transmission lines across West Virginia has led to opposition. The proposed Valley Link North that passes through Berkeley County is being opposed by the Berkeley County Commission. According to an article in the Jounal News, reasons given for this are that it would alter the rural, agricultural and scenic character of the affected land, lower property values and create environmental and visual impacts. In addition, the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) Project concerns a new transmission line across northern and eastern West Virginia. The Dominion Post newspaper reported that 3,723 letters of opposition to the project have been submitted to the PSC (Public Service Commission). West Virginians Against Transmission Injustice have a website on this topic. One general concern is that construction of these lines does not benefit the citizens of West Virginia but could well lead to increases in their electricity bills.
Lawsuit to stop construction of a section of Corridor H. Citizen groups in Virginia and West Virginia have come together and filed suit in federal court to stop construction of a seven-mile section of Corridor H highway from Wardensville in Hardy County, WV to the Virginia line. They argue that the highway agencies failed to consider less expensive and less damaging alternatives. The groups have launched a website to raise awareness about the proposed highway—Corridor H: Highway to Nowhere (highwaytonowhere.org).
The Blackwater Canyon Becomes Public Land. The Blackwater Canyon, once partially owned by a private logging company, is now entirely owned by all West Virginia residents as part of the Monongahela National Forest. For more information on this go to the Winter 2025 newsletter.
Morgantown Environmental Gathering. On November 6, 2025, the Monongahela Group of the Sierra Club West Virginia Chapter welcomed the public to "An Evening of Conversation with Local Environmental Voices" at First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown to hear a brief message from Delegate Evan Hansen (D-Morgantown) as well as introductions from 15 local environmental groups. About 50 people enjoyed a chili dinner prepared by volunteers and, after hearing from the various representatives, broke up into smaller groups to brainstorm common goals. Read more in the Winter 2025 newsletter.
Workshops for Action Plans to prevent PFAs. In September and October 2025, community members participated in workshops and helped shape future PFAS Action Plans for their public water systems. The workshops were hosted by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and WV Rivers. Participants were asked to help identify potential sources of PFAS in the Eastern Panhandle region and prioritize steps to reduce PFAS exposure in drinking water. Read more in the Winter 2025 newsletter.
WVEC Set Environmental Goals for the 2026 Legislative Session. In September 2025, West Virginia Environmental Council members and guests gathered at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center to learn about the latest developments in environmental policy and advocacy in the Mountain State. Read more in the Winter 2025 newsletter.
“Toxic Tours” of Coal-Powered Plants. On July 12, 2025, the state chapter started a series of "toxic tours" of coal-fired power plants in the state. The first was at the Longview and Fort Martin power plants near Morgantown. The trip was a great opportunity to meet local Sierra Club members and to share curiosity and concern for where our power comes from—both literal power (electricity) and figurative power (our members and our movement). The tours are continuing. Contact Lisa DiBartolomeo (lisa.dibartolomeo@sierraclub.org) for more information.