Newsletter Archive
News items
Legislative Update. Go to the West Virginia Environmental Council GREEN Newsletter.
Law suit 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.