This page contains web links and other ways to take action on plans that are proposed or in progress in the state that negatively impact the environment. For more information about issues go to the Issues page. Events organized by the West Virginia Sierra Club or others that are directed at educating and motivating support on issues within the state can be found on our Events and Outings page.
Actions
Transmission Lines. West Virginians Against Transmission Line Injustice (WATI) has a petition against the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) and Valley Link transmission lines. They oppose any new electric transmission lines through West Virginia whose primary purpose is to power data centers in Virginia, Maryland or any other state; that will cause wide-scale destruction of West Virginia’s beautiful landscape and environment, as well as the devaluation of thousands of West Virginia citizens’ private properties; granting mega-rich out-of-state companies such as NextEra and FirstEnergy the power of eminent domain over West Virginian private properties for this purpose; and the over $400 million that will be added to West Virginian power bills due to these transmission lines that will primarily benefit the Commonwealth of Virginia and mega-rich companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft. Sign the petition here.
The state Public Service Commission has held four meetings regarding the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL). Dozens of residents and state lawmakers have attended packed West Virginia Public Service Commission public hearings, voicing unified, bipartisan opposition to the power lines. As of April 9 there were 4,176 letters of protest and 115 letters of support submitted to the PSC. County commissions in Monongalia, Preston, Hampshire and Mineral counties have formally opposed the project, with several obtaining intervenor status in the PSC case. Public comments may be filed online by clicking the “Formal Case” link or by sending them to Karen Buckley, Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323.
Proposal for a new gas-fired power plant near Morgantown, WV. FirstEnergy subsidiaries MonPower and Potomac Edison propose to construct a 1.200-MW gas-fired power plant at Fort Martin in Monongalia County. The plant is. projected to cost $2.48 billion, with a goal to be operational by Dec. 31. 2031. Get more information here. Submit a letter of protest to the WV Public Service Commission. Cite Case :/ 26-0108. Tell the PSC: "No" to Fossil Fuels and Stranded Costs! "No" to Abandonment Allowance! "No" to Generation Projects Surcharge! Tell The WV Public Service Commission: "Make MonPower share the risk!".
Affordable, reliable, and fair utility services for West Virginians. This topic is featured in our Issues page. Sign a Ratepayer Bill of Rights petition so that all residents and businesses will be treated fairly and transparently by all electric, gas, and water utilities regulated by the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC). To do this, go to the WV Public Service Commission. In addition, Solar United Neighbors has online petitions to the Public Service Commission regarding FirstEnergy and AEP power companies and directed at establishing energy efficiency programs, authorizing distributed power plants to save money and reduce peak demand, and protecting existing customers from costs caused by large data centers.
The Roadless Conservation Rule. This rule protects large, roadless tracts of national forest lands from timbering and exploitation, thereby protecting wildlife, water quality, and recreational opportunities. However, the South Fork Coal Company used a haul road through the Monongahela National Forest Greenbrier County that regulators allowed to operate unlawfully. The company went bankrupt but two companies are trying to take over this mining complex and resume operations within and adjacent to the national forest. The group Appalachian Voices is asking us "Don't let the coal industry roll over the Monongahela National Forest!" You can support their action to protest to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection by responding on their webpage.
Join the Sierra Club or donate to support the West Virginia Chapter See the links on the top right of this page.