Suggested Readings For June 2021

May 2021 MOVCA Selected Media Postings

Compiled by Cindy Taylor

Appearing on-line in the Charleston Gazette-Mail:

Friday May 28, 2021  Energy and Environment News Article by Mike Tony, Staff writer

“Millions of ratepayer and tax base dollars at stake with hearings upcoming in AEP cases”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/millions-of-ratepayer-and-tax-base-dollars-at-stake-with-hearings-upcoming-in-aep-cases/article_c5bd2d34-2e50-5f63-baa0-37615378e64a.html

Tuesday May 25, 2021  Energy and Environment News Article by Mike Tony, Staff writer

“WV supporters of federal climate infrastructure urge passage as leaders reach crossroads”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/wv-supporters-of-federal-climate-infrastructure-urge-passage-as-leaders-reach-crossroads/article_385a2407-aeff-5317-825c-79f997877d2d.html

Tuesday May 24, 2021  Energy and Environment News Article by Mike Tony, Staff writer

“WV leaders balk at International Energy Agency call for no new fossil fuel investments”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/wv-leaders-balk-at-international-energy-agency-call-for-no-new-fossil-fuel-investments/article_6574cd0d-0e6e-511b-9f2e-23be27a94567.html

Saturday May 8, 2021  Energy and Environment News Article by Mike Tony, Staff writer

“WV’s leaders heading pushback against Biden climate policy”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/wvs-leaders-heading-pushback-against-biden-climate-policy/article_d7166176-f50d-5002-80a6-e9f740070694.html

Wednesday May 5, 2021  Energy and Environment News Article by Mike Tony, Staff writer

“Emissions concerns, job hopes share center stage during meeting on proposed Pleasants County methanol facility”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/emissions-concerns-job-hopes-share-center-stage-during-meeting-on-proposed-pleasants-county-methanol-facility/article_012336dd-cb42-55aa-a8b4-14a0e8056f21.html

Appearing in The Times Leader (Martins Ferry, OH)

May 15, 2021 Letter-to-the-Editor by Ben Hunkler, Ohio Concerned River Residents, Bridgeport, OH

“Frack waste barging puts our water at risk”

https://www.timesleaderonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2021/05/frack-waste-barging-puts-our-water-at-risk/

May 8, 2021 Column by Jill A. Hunkler, Barnesville, OH. Member of Concerned Ohio River Residents

“Elected officials should stand against fossil fuels”

https://www.timesleaderonline.com/opinion/columns/2021/05/elected-officials-should-stand-against-fossil-fuels/

Appearing on-line in The Bargain Hunter (Weekly news magazine serving Ohio Counties: Holmes, Tuscarawas, Wayne, and the surrounding area. Stark, Medina, Summit and Cuyahoga):

May  22, 2021  Column by Dr. Randi Pokladnik

“Valley was a hotbed of polluting industries”

https://thebargainhunter.com/news/col-randi-pokladnik/valley-was-a-hotbed-of-polluting-industries

May 6, 2021 Column by Dr. Randi Pokladnik

“Laws haven’t helped control trash along roads”

https://thebargainhunter.com/news/col-randi-pokladnik/laws-havent-helped-control-trash-along-roads

Appearing on-line on Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC) or Hoots and Hollers(blog)  

May 25, 2021  Feature about OVEC’s open letter to President Biden (MOVCA co-signed)

“To President Joe Biden From West Virginians”

To President Joe Biden From West Virginians

May 25, 2021 Article by Dr. Randi Pokladnik  

“Fertility on the Brink”

Fertility on the Brink

May 24, 2021 Article by Dr. Randi Pokladnik  

“Carbon Capture Technology: Just Another False Solution”

Carbon Capture Technology: Just Another False Solution

Appearing on-line on West Virginians for Energy Freedom https://www.energyfreedomwv.org  :

May 3, 2021  News Article

“WV becomes 29^th state to offer Power Purchase Agreements”

https://www.energyfreedomwv.org/updates/2021/5/3/wv-becomes-29th-state-to-offer-power-purchase-agreements

Appearing on-line on Ohio River Valley Institute https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org :

May 26, 2021  Article by Sean O’Leary

“Jobs and equitable transition: bridging the chasm between rhetoric and action”

Jobs and equitable transition: Bridging the chasm between rhetoric and action

May 25, 2021 Article by Autumn Long and Ted Boettner

“American Jobs Plan Accelerate Solar Power in West Virginia”

American Jobs Plan Can Accelerate Solar Power in West Virginia

May 18, 2021 Article by Sean O’Leary

“ ‘What’s the alternative?’: Answering the hardest question asked by workers and communities that feel threatened by energy transition”

“What’s the alternative?”: Answering the hardest question asked by workers and communities that feel threatened by energy transition

May 7, 2021  Article by Ted Boettner

“Eliminate West Virginia Met Coal Subsidy to Assist Dislocated Coal Workers”

Eliminate West Virginia Met Coal Subsidy to Assist Dislocated Coal Workers

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

May 26, 2021 Energy & Environment News Article by Eric Douglas

“W.Va. Communities Receive Nearly $3 Million in Brownfields Assessment and Clean-up Funding from EPA”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2021-05-26/w-va-communities-receive-nearly-3-million-in-brownfields-assessment-and-clean-up-funding-from-epa

May 13, 2021 Energy & Environment News Article by Eric Douglas – interview with Chris Walter (text and audio)

“Research Reveals Clean Air Makes Stronger Forests”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2021-05-13/research-reveals-clean-air-makes-stronger-forests

May 3, 2021 Energy & Environment News Article by Curtis Tate, Katie Myers

“Power Switch: Solar is Heating Up In The Ohio Valley”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2021-05-03/power-switch-solar-is-heating-up-in-the-ohio-valley

RESEARCH/Resources/Related articles or media

Available On-line on Policy Matters Ohio https://www.policymattersohio.org

Sustainable Communities Research & Policy

Sustainable Communities : Investments in transit, renewable energy, conservation, and other smart solutions that create jobs and support communities.

See https://www.policymattersohio.org/research-policy/sustainable-communities

Available on-line on West Virginia New Jobs Coalition  https://www.newjobswv.org 

Link for THRIVE Jobs Report for WV

Posted May 4, 2021  video of April 10, 2021 live-streamed event

“Jammin’ For Jobs -Full Clean Cut Video”

Musicians, artists, community leaders and citizens from across state came together to demand better jobs in WV and for Congress to support the THRIVE AC

Available on-line on ReImagine Appalachia https://reimagineappalachia.org 

Check out resources available under Local Grassroots at https://reimagineappalachia.org/local/grassroots/

 And resources under Local Officials at https://reimagineappalachia.org/local/officials/

Find the Blue Print and Jobs Studies Policy Briefs for WV, PA, and OH (by the PERI Institute)  for Reimagine Appalachia at https://reimagineappalachia.org/resources/ 

MAY on-line selected EVENTS:

Tuesday May 25, 2021 Zoom Public event hosted by Buckeye Environmental Network & Tackling the A-Z Impacts of Plastic, Ohio River Guardians, Ohio Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival; & UUJO: Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio

“S.O.S. Learn & Act to Save Ohioans from Radioactive Brine Spreading”

Zoom event about two dangerous bills, H.B. 282 and S.B. 171, that threaten Ohioans health from radioactive oil and gas waste brine

Thursday, May 20, 2021 6:30 pm. Virtual Conference hosted by Concerned Ohio River Residents, League of Women Voters, and the Climate Reality Project. Supported by MOVCA as May public program. 

“A Better Vision for the Valley”   Recording of conference posted to YouTube on May 21, 2021 at this link:

This second conference (first in May 2019) is to brainstorm sustainable economic development potential in our communities. Conference speakers, experts and entrepreneurs: Sean O’Leary, Ohio River Valley Institute; Annie Rouse, Think Hempy Thoughts and Anavil Market; Jeffrey Morris, Roxby Development; and Vincent DeGeorge, Grow Ohio Valley.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 7 p.m. Zoom Webinar hosted by Ohio Poor People’s Campaign & Our Voices Together 

“Ohio Environmental Issues – Their Connection to Regressive Policies and Their Impact”

Discussion about Ohio’s Environmental Issues – Their Connection to Regressive Policies, Voter Suppression, Anti-Protest Bills and the 5 Systemic Evils. Guest speakers included: Rev. Joan Vanbecelaere- UUJOP; Christy Stonebaker Martinez – InterReligious Taskforce on Central America; Guy Jones- Miami Valley Council for Native Americans; Jill Hunkler – Concerned Ohio River Residents; Justin Thompson – Ashtabula County Water Watch.    Zoom Registration required:

May 19, 4PM  & May 20, 2021 8 PM Zoom Webinar promoted by WV New Jobs Coalition https://www.newjobswv.org

Green New Deal Storytelling Training “#TimeToThrive Stories Training”

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqd-yorDkvEtI1YwbhS6aQB-UL7-gt28Wk

Storytelling for action training & make a video in support of the THRIVE Act for climate, jobs, & justice

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 4-5 p.m. Zoom – Panel and community discussion hosted by WV Interfaith Power & Light

“Standing Up for Appalachia: Bringing Jobs and Economic Justice to West Virginia”

Learn about federal and regional economic initiatives such as the RECLAIM Act, ReImagine Appalachia, the THRIVE Agenda, and the American Jobs Plan. . .  and how you can help.  Registration required.

ACTION LINKS:

Available on-line at West Virginia Rivers:

 May 27, 2021 WV Rivers News Article by Kathleen Tyner  (Action Link provided)

“Action alert: Let WV’s Senators Know You’re Depending on Them for Critical Infrastructure Legislation”

Action Alert: Let WV’s Senators Know You’re Depending on Them for Critical Infrastructure Legislation

May 27, 2021 WV Rivers News Article by Kathleen Tyner  (Action Link provided)

“WV Rivers News: Mountain Valley Pipeline Stream Crossing Permit, WV in the Federal Policy Spotlight”

WV Rivers News: Mountain Valley Pipeline Stream Crossing Permit, WV in the Federal Policy Spotlight

Urgent: Your Comments Needed on MVP’s Request to Cross Streams- Act by May 28

Opportunity to submit comments to Army Corp of Engineers