Recommended readings for April 2021

March 2021 –  MOVCA Selected Media Postings

Compiled by Cindy Taylor

Appearing on-line in the Charleston Gazette-Mail:

Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Opinion Column by Rev. Robin Blakeman, project coordinator for  OVEC

“Robin Blakeman: Encouraging to see Manchin back Haaland’s appointment”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/op_ed_commentaries/robin-blakeman-encouraging-to-see-manchin-back-haalands-appointment-opinion/article_6709d2ae-5bb4-506b-bbfd-27ec18fc93b9.html

Tuesday March 9, 2021 Od/Ed by John McFerrin, Gazette-Mail contributing columnist

“John McFerrin: Your move, Big Jim”

(Ferrin challenges Gov. Jim Justice to be a champion of legalizing on-site Power Purchase Agreements- Senate Bill 30)

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/columnists/john-mcferrin-your-move-big-jim-opinion/article_1cb9ea72-efd1-51af-bca3-eed61437e9cd.html

Monday, March 1, 2021  Energy & Environment News Article by Mike Tony, Staff writer

“Manchin promotes tax credit bill designed to build clean energy manufacturing”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/manchin-promotes-tax-credit-bill-designed-to-build-clean-energy-manufacturing/article_632aa701-d6ee-5a61-a48c-96083999bf2c.html

Appearing on-line on Ohio River Valley Institute (an independent, nonprofit research and communications center – “Sound research for a more sustainable, equitable, democratic, and prosperous Appalachia”:

March 23, 2021  Eric de Place’s summary of ORVI ‘s new REPORT and link to download:

“Risks for New Natural Gas Development in Appalachia” – Groundbreaking new analysis shows future Appalachian shale gas drilling unprofitable and petrochemical buildout unlikely

Risks for New Natural Gas Development in Appalachia

Ohio River Valley Institute March 2021 REPORT:

Risks for New Natural Gas Developments in Appalachia by Peter Erickson and Ploy Achakulwisut  of Stockholm Environment Institute U.S.    Link to download pdf.

Click to access Risks-of-new-natural-gas-developments-in-Appalachia_March-2021_Final_3.9.21.pdf

March 18, 2021 Article by Eric Dixon

“The true cost of cleaning up historic damage from the coal Industry”

The true cost of cleaning up historic damage from the coal industry

March 16, 2021 Article by Ted Boettner

“A federal solution is needed to address hazardous abandoned wells”

A federal solution is needed to address hazardous abandoned wells

March 10, 2021  Feature by Sean O’Leary

“Misdirection: How we’re misled about natural gas boom’s economic impacts”

Misdirection: How we’re misled about the natural gas boom’s economic impacts

March 4, 2021  Post by Ben Hunkler

“Critical Condition: “ ‘The Shale Crescent’ and the Dream of an Appalachian Petrochemical Boom”

Critical Condition: “The Shale Crescent” and the Dream of an Appalachian Petrochemical Boom

    Article includes link to recording of February 3, 2020 Forum on this topic: https://youtu.be/HRnCDDp44Lo

See also these REPORTS  drawing much attention in March: (info also included in Feb. media report):

Available on-line on ReImagine Appalachia and Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), Amherst, MA: 

February 2021   ReImagine Appalachia shares Summary of results from PERI economic recovery program analysis:

“West Virginia Job Impact Brief” – ReImagine Appalachia blueprint creates 41,000 Jobs in West Virginia

Click to access ReImagine-Appalachia_PeriBrief_WV_Feb2021.pdf

February  2021 Report by Department of Economics and Political Economy Research Institution (PERI) authored by Robert Pollin, Jeannette Wicks-Lim, Shouvik Chakraborty, and Gregor Semieniuk

Impacts of the ReImagine Appalachia & Clean Energy Transition Programs for West Virginia: Job Creation, Economic Recovery, and Long-Term Sustainability.  Download available at this site:

Click to access Pollin-et-al-WV-Reimagine-Appalachia-Clean-Energy-Study-2-23-21.pdf

Thursday, February 25, 2021  Zoom Meeting of Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) presenting study:

Overview of the ReImagine Appalachia Climate Infrastructure Plan which would create 41,100 family-sustaining jobs in West Virginia. Angie Rosser, Robert Pollin (lead author of report), Delegate Evan Hansen, Quenton King, Mayor Steve Williams and Josh Sword.  38-minute Recording available: https://m.facebook.com/PERIatUMass/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=0

Appearing on-line in WV Public Broadcasting and WOUB (PBS):

March 23, 2021 Energy & Environment Article by Emily Allen

“Bill For Air, Water Quality Rules Clears Senate Judiciary Committee”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2021-03-23/bill-for-air-water-quality-rules-clears-senate-judiciary-committee

March 11, 2021 Energy & Environment Article by Eric Douglas with audio interview with Kevin Law (Marshall U.)

“Meteorology Professor: Region Should Prepare For More Weather Swings”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2021-03-11/meteorology-professor-region-should-prepare-for-more-weather-swings

 March 10, 2021 Energy & Environment News Article by Emily Allen

“House Passes Bill to Exempt Oil, Gas Operators From Aboveground Storage Tank Act”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2021-03-10/house-passes-bill-to-exempt-oil-gas-operators-from-aboveground-storage-tank-act

Appearing on-line on The New Republic:

March 25, 2021  Article by Nick Martin, staff writer at The New Republic

“The Fracking Shill Local Newspapers Love to Publish”

https://newrepublic.com/article/161712/fracking-shill-local-newspapers

   Martin mentions articles by Eric Engle, Jean Ambrose, & Randi Pokladnik responding to Greg Kozera’s weekly column

Appearing on-line on Natural Gas Intelligence:

March 11, 2021 Article by Jamison Cocklin

“Federal Judge Deals Another Setback to Oil, Natural Gas Development in Ohio Natural Forest”

Federal Judge Deals Another Setback to Oil, Natural Gas Development in Ohio National Forest

Appearing on-line on The American Prospect:

March 9, 2021  Text and Audio. Robert Kuttner in conversation with Robert Pollin, lead author of PERI report

“A Green Transition for West Virginia”

https://prospect.org/environment/green-transition-west-virginia-robert-pollin-interview/

EVENTS:

Friday, March 26, 2021, 2pm  webinar by Green Peace’s project,  Fire Drill Fridays with Jane Fonda

Dr. Sandra Steingraber discusses how fracking is a danger to our climate, communities, & health, and what we can do about it. (MOVCA is mentioned by Dr. Sandra Steingraber!)

Dr. Sandra Steingraber on How to Stop Fracking

Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 6pm  MOVCA supports Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD) Zoom webinar

“For the People Activist Training: Our Chance To Transform Our Democracy”

https://www.facebook.com/DFADCoalition/videos/887493735126323/?fref=tag

 Join U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and movement leaders for an activist call to discuss our path to reforming our democracy through urging the Senate to pass the For the People Act and for a training on actions all of us can take during the April Congressional recess.

Thursday, March 18, 2021, 1pm. Discussion hosted by ReImagine Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley Institute

“Community Listening Session on Repairing the Damage from Hazardous Abandoned Oil & Gas Wells”

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpcuGrpjspG9TJKsGlJc471d-oNchgPPey

Tuesday March 16, 2021, 3pm Webinar hosted by RECLAIM Act Coalition including ReImagine Appalachia

“Abandoned Mine Land Webinar”  – Learn how you can support investments to revitalize coal communities

https://www.facebook.com/ReImagineAppalachia/videos/854879298392887/

Sunday March 14, 7pm Zoom Meeting to discuss ideas for MOVCA’s  New Jobs Appalachia committee

March 10, 2021 6:00 PM  Virtual Event hosted by West Virginia Environmental Council (https://wvecouncil.org)

“ WV E-DAY 2021” – Live performances, live auction, legislative updates, news from member groups.  See:

https://www.facebook.com/events/154700499623977/

Monday, March 1, 2021, 9am  Virtual Public Hearing before House Judiciary Committee promoted by WV Citizen Action Group. Registration is by 2/26/21 required.

People’s Public Hearing on Water Quality Standards Rule HB 2389