west virginia
Newsletter
Credit: Wenhan Cheng/Pixabay
Senator Manchin's climate law support may have ended his Senate career
Senator Joe Manchin's involvement in the Inflation Reduction Act, despite its benefits for West Virginia, may have jeopardized his Senate career due to its unpopularity among voters.
In short:
- Senator Joe Manchin, who played a key role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, is facing backlash from West Virginia voters despite the law's positive impact on local manufacturing and energy projects.
- Manchin is shifting focus toward supporting moderates and fostering independent political actions through initiatives like his Americans Together project, indicating his readiness to retire from the Senate.
- Despite working on a new permitting legislation with Republicans, Manchin remains critical of the Biden administration's implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and other climate policies.
Key quote:
“It’s been weaponized to the point — no matter what good you think is happening, don’t believe your eyes, don’t believe exactly what you’re seeing.”
— Senator Joe Manchin
Why this matters:
Manchin’s story highlights the complex political dynamics of climate legislation in the U.S. Even laws that bring tangible benefits can be politically perilous if they are perceived as aligning with unpopular national policies. His experience underscores the challenges moderate politicians face in balancing constituent needs with broader party agendas.
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FERC authorizes Mountain Valley Pipeline operations
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved Equitrans Midstream Corp. to commence operations on the Mountain Valley Pipeline, concluding years of regulatory and legal challenges.
In short:
- FERC’s approval confirms the pipeline’s compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
- The pipeline, transporting natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia, has faced significant opposition from environmental groups.
- Legal and regulatory hurdles included a 2023 safety warning and a 2022 debt ceiling deal that facilitated the project’s continuation.
Key quote:
“Mountain Valley has adequately stabilized the areas disturbed by construction and that restoration and stabilization of the construction work area is proceeding satisfactorily.’”
— Terry Turpin, director of the Office of Energy Projects at FERC
Why this matters:
The pipeline is expected to transport up to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, addressing growing demands in the southeastern United States. However, environmentalists have raised concerns about the potential impacts on ecosystems, water quality, and public health. The pipeline’s route traverses the Appalachian Mountains, a region known for its biodiversity and delicate ecosystems. Critics argue that construction and operation could lead to habitat destruction, soil erosion, and water contamination, particularly affecting rural and indigenous communities.
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Progressive Marine veteran seeks to reshape West Virginia politics
In a bid to challenge the coal industry's grip on West Virginia, Zach Shrewsbury, a Marine Corps veteran and community organizer, has launched his U.S. Senate campaign.
In short:
- Shrewsbury's campaign follows a populist approach, emphasizing job creation over coal reliance, seeking to pivot to renewable energy sources.
- His grassroots strategy includes extensive traveling across West Virginia, engaging directly with voters and distributing essential supplies.
- The political landscape is marked by a decline in union influence and the rise of Republican dominance attributed to economic grievances and industrial decline.
Key quote:
"I am of the working class. I am from our home. And I will fight for the everyday West Virginian."
— Zach Shrewsbury, U.S. Senate candidate
Why this matters:
Shrewsbury's campaign is poised to stir significant debate on the state's economic future, especially as environmental concerns grow and the demand for sustainable energy sources becomes more urgent.
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Fracking operations leave West Virginia families in distress
Fracking operations by a Pittsburgh company in West Virginia have led to severe health complaints from local families, sparking a federal investigation.
In short:
- EQT’s fracking activities in Knob Fork, West Virginia precede a $5.2 billion company expansion and result in severe health issues for local families, causing them to abandon their homes.
- Investigations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have identified leaks and unexpected emissions, with EQT’s operations releasing harmful VOCs known to cause serious health effects.
- The affected families, documenting symptoms and VOC exposure, face challenges from state regulators and EQT, which asserts its operations are safe.
Key quote:
"Our home is no longer a home. It is a place of sickness, confusion and sadness.”
— Abby Tennant, resident of Knob Fork
Why this matters:
Fracking can lead to a boom in local economies; however, the experiences in Knob Fork underscore the potential risks to community health and well-being from fracking operations, bringing into question the balance between energy pursuits and environmental protection.
Be sure to read EHN's series: Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking.
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Q&A: What a Joe Manchin presidential run could mean for the 2024 election—and the climate
In a recent swing through New Hampshire, the West Virginia Senator—who has pressed for more “energy security” in the U.S.—suggested that it’s up to Asian countries to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
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West Virginia's financial struggle with abandoned coal mine cleanup
West Virginia faces a severe financial burden due to its ineffective fund for cleaning up abandoned coal mines, potentially leaving taxpayers with massive costs.
Ken Ward Jr. reports for Mountain State Spotlight and ProPublica.
In short:
- West Virginia grapples with a profoundly under-resourced fund dedicated to remediating abandoned coal mines.
- This financial inadequacy threatens to foist substantial cleanup expenses upon state taxpayers.
- There is a conspicuous lack of decisive measures to mitigate this escalating fiscal crisis.
Key quote:
"The system never fully worked. It limped along for a while, but it is completely broken today."
— Peter Morgan, Sierra Club Lawyer.
Why this matters:
West Virginia's predicament highlights a broader challenge around mine reclamation in coal states as the industry decline continues in the wake of the energy transition. The problem doesn't result only from recent coal industry bankruptcies, however: The investigation by ProPublica and Mountain State Spotlight indicates decades of failure to adequately fund state mine remediation. Meanwhile, cleanup costs grow as old mines continue releasing toxic contaminants into soil and waterways.
How do you think mine reclamation costs should be met?
Learn more: Lessons from environmental and economic restoration efforts in Germany could help usher Appalachia into a new era.
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West Virginians could get stuck cleaning up the coal industry’s messes
The state’s program for reclaiming abandoned coal mines has long been plagued with problems, but state and federal officials have done little to prepare for this reckoning.
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