Suggested Readings for April 2022

MOVCA March – April 4, 2022 Selected Media Postings

Compiled by Cindy Taylor

Appearing in The Marietta Times:

April 4, 2021 AP International News article by Frank Jordans and Seth Borenstein

“Climate panel says world approaching danger zone”

https://www.mariettatimes.com/news/2022/04/climate-panel-says-world-approaching-danger-zone/

Appearing online in Patch:

March 8, 2022  Politics and Government Article by Chris Mosby, Patch Staff

“ ‘Dangerous Pollutants’ In Ohio Water, Lawmakers Want Change” A group of Ohio politicians want to ban the use of radioactive waste as de-icing spray on roads and implement new drinking water standards.

https://patch.com/ohio/cleveland/dangerous-pollutants-ohio-water-lawmakers-want-change

Appearing online in The Parkersburg News and Sentinel: 

April 2, 2022  Letter-to-the-Editor by William Ambrose.

 “A look at letter’s points”

https://www.newsandsentinel.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2022/04/a-look-at-letters-points/

March 26, 2022 Business News by Steven Allen Adams

“Chemical Reaction: West Virginia submits hydrogen hub plan, opponents call it a ‘boondoggle’”

https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/business/2022/03/chemical-reaction-west-virginia-submits-hydrogen-hub-plan-opponents-call-it-a-boondoggle/

March 23, 2022  Business News by Evan Bevins, Staff Reporter

“$233K in federal funds going to Pickering Energy Solutions solar array” Nearly 1,400 panels installed at West Virginia Wesleyan

https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/business/2022/03/233k-in-federal-funds-going-to-pickering-energy-solutions-solar-array/

March 12, 2022  Community News Staff Report

“Marietta church runner-up in Cool Congregations Challenge”

https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/community-news/2022/03/marietta-church-runner-up-in-cool-congregations-challenge/

Appearing on-line in the Charleston Gazette-Mail:

March 30, 2022  Op-Ed by Eric Engle

“Eric Engle: Stop letting those who profit set the agenda”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/op_ed_commentaries/eric-engle-stop-letting-those-who-profit-set-the-agenda-opinion/article_43053bba-0bf3-53f2-95ef-a4933972832b.html

March 26, 2022  Energy and Environment Article by Mike Tony

“FirstEnergy and AEP solar proposals raise cost concerns, respond to corporate demand in coal-dependent West Virginia”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/firstenergy-and-aep-solar-proposals-raise-cost-concerns-respond-to-corporate-demand-in-coal-dependent/article_a1bc0f14-84e2-50fc-b46f-3db5d79b0aa1.html

March 24, 2022  Energy and Environment Article by Mike Tony

“WV leaders, fossil fuel companies chase federal hydrogen hub opportunity that opponents say is uneconomic”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/wv-leaders-fossil-fuel-companies-chase-federal-hydrogen-hub-opportunity-that-opponents-say-is-uneconomic/article_adc08986-fad0-538f-a15f-0c68bf38f822.html

March 17. 2022 Column by Eric Engle

“Eric Engle: Coal’s comeback is greatly exaggerated”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/op_ed_commentaries/eric-engle-coals-comeback-is-greatly-exaggerated-opinion/article_9d521eef-2034-5c23-b132-b86b1b74f7cf.html

March 12, 2022  Energy and Environment Article by Mike Tony

“WV leaders prioritize oil and gas production over renewables after Russian oil ban, risking long-term fossil fuel dependence”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/legislative_session/wv-leaders-prioritize-oil-and-gas-production-over-renewables-after-russian-oil-ban-risking-long/article_2a4686f8-4271-54ec-9076-ee0ea41f3418.html

Eric Engle is quoted “[T]he only real energy independence is renewable energy” and MOVCA mentioned as signing the letter to President Biden asking “to use the Defense Production Act to scale up production and deployment of renewable energy”

March 1, 2022 Op-Ed by Eric Engle

“Eric Engle: WV plays key role in enabling climate disaster”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/op_ed_commentaries/eric-engle-wv-plays-key-role-in-enabling-climate-disaster-opinion/article_c0e7eb2d-62a7-5419-ada1-cf65d6a7ba21.html

Available from Ohio Capital Journal:

March 18, 2022 Article by Jake Zuckerman

“Both FirstEnergy and its shareholders seek secrecy around company’s bribes”

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

March 16,  2022 Energy and Environment article by Jessica Lilly

“Southern W.Va. HS Students Shine In National Spotlight For Environmental Work”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2022-03-16/southern-w-va-hs-students-shine-in-national-spotlight-for-environmental-work

March 16,  2022 Energy and Environment article by Curtis Tate

“Coal-Burning Pleasants Power Station To Be Shut Down or Sold”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2022-03-16/coal-burning-pleasants-power-station-to-be-shut-down-or-sold

March 12,  2022 Energy and Environment article by Curtis Tate

“Energy Bills Move Forward As Legislature Winds Down Session”

https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2022-03-12/energy-bills-move-forward-as-legislature-winds-down-session

Appearing on-line on ReImagingeappalachia.org:

Tuesday March 29, 2PM – 3PM  “ReImagining Your Community”  Webinar Series Launch

Available from West Virginia Center on Climate Change https://wvclimate.org :

March 23, 2022 Webinar hosted by West Virginia Center on Climate Change (WV3C)

“What Are The Poles (North and South) Telling Us About Earth’s Climate Future?” Recording available at link below.

Available from West Virginia Rivers:

March 15, 2022  WV Rivers News Blog

“UPDATE: WV v. EPA – What You Should Know about the Supreme Court Case and its Impact on Public Health, Climate Action, and Environmental Justice”

Appearing on-line on Concerned Ohio River Residents (CORR):

March 10, 2022  CORR blog post by Sean O’Leary, Researcher at Ohio River Valley Institute (ORVI)

“The PTTGC cracker retreats further into mystery”

https://www.concernedohioriverresidents.org/post/the-pttgc-cracker-retreats-further-into-mystery

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

March 30, 2022  Article by Ted Boettner

“Maximizing Impact of Federal Orphaned Well Program in States”

https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/maximizing-impact-of-federal-orphaned-well-program-in-states/

March 28, 2022 Video posted to ORVI YouTube channel. On the proposed Ohio River Valley hydrogen hub 1:32:12

Panel Discussion – “The Ohio River Valley Hydrogen Hub: Boon or Boondoggle?”

March 18, 2022 Article by Sean O’Leary about new RESEARCH

“The Ohio River Valley Hydrogen Hub: A Boondoggle in the Making”

https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/the-ohio-river-valley-hydrogen-hub-a-boondoggle-in-the-making/

March 11, 2022 Article by Ben Hunkler

“Listen: A Model for Economic and Clean Energy Transition”

https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/listen-a-model-for-economic-and-clean-energy-transition/

Repost of Yale Climate Connections – ORVI’s Sean O’Leary discusses with  Dr. Anthony Lieserowitz about Centralia , Washington and link provided to ORVI’s July report.  

March 8, 2022  Article about new research by Ted Boettner

“Federal Orphaned Well Funding, Explained”

https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/federal-orphaned-well-funding-explained/

Available on The Appalachian Chronicle:

March 12, 2022 Article by Paula Mann

“Manchin Lying about Mountain Valley Pipeline, Says Landowner”

NATIONAL ATTENTION & Relevant to our region:

Available on Department of Energy (energy.gov) :

March 29, 2022  News Release from Department of Energy

“DOE Will Assist 22 Communities With Locally Tailored Pathways to Clean Energy” – Communities LEAP Program Helps Environmental Justice and Energy Communities Leverage Tools to Lower Energy Bills, Develop Plans for Sustainable Economic Empowerment.  (Manchin quoted.)

https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-will-assist-22-communities-locally-tailored-pathways-clean-energy

March 18, 2022 News Release from Department of Energy

“DOE Announces $5 Million to Launch Lithium-Battery Workforce Initiative” – Industry and Labor Partner on Five Pilot Programs to Train Battery Manufacturing Workers and Bolster the Domestic Battery Supply Chain. (Manchin quoted,)

https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-5-million-launch-lithium-battery-workforce-initiative

See current news on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law site: https://www.energy.gov/bil/bipartisan-infrastructure-law-homepage

Available on U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:

March 21, 2022 Press Release by US Securities and Exchange Commission

“SEC Proposes Rules to Enhance and Standardize Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors”

https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-46

Available on AP NEWS.com:

March 17, 2022 Article by Leah Willingham

“Energy startup to bring electric battery factory to W.Va”

https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-west-virginia-charleston-united-mine-workers-of-america-ebfa638695a5344262ad0ecdae88e9bd

Available on Energy-Storage News:

March 23, 2022 News article by Andy Colthorpe

“Cobalt-free lithium battery gigafactory to help transition West Virginia away from coal economy”

Available on Forbes:

March 15, 2022  Article  by Silvio Marcacci, communications director at Energy Innovation

“So Much For Coal’s Rebound – Plant Closures Coming Roaring Back. It’s Time To Unlock A Just Transition”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2022/03/15/so-much-for-coals-rebound-plant-closures-come-roaring-back-smart-policy-must-unlock-a-just-transition/?sh=3bef2a5e74e9

Available on STAND.earth:

March 9, 2022  Letter to President Biden calling for action. (MOVCA is a signatory)

“Over 200 groups call on Biden to use the Defense Production Act to help Ukraine by accelerating the clean energy transition” 
https://www.stand.earth/bidendpasignon

Available on Sierra Club (sierraclub.org):

March 10, 2022 Article by Juliet Grable in Sierra, the magazine of the Sierra Club

“Federal Agency Charts New Course on Environmental Justice and Climate” FERC moves to reform its decision-making, despite criticism from fossil fuel companies.

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/federal-agency-charts-new-course-environmental-justice-and-climate

Available on Inside Climate News:

March 21, 2022 Fossil Fuels Article by Zoha Tunio

“FERC Says it Will Consider Greenhouse Gas Emissions and ‘Environmental Justice’ Impacts in Approving New Natural Gas Pipelines”

March 15, 2022 Fossil Fuels Article by Phil McKenna

“Coal Mining Emits More Super-Polluting Methane Than Venting and Flaring From Gas and Oil Wells, A New Study Finds” So much methane is released from coal mining, the Global Energy Monitor says, that it exceeds the carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal at over 1,100 coal-fired power plants in China. (link to GEM Report provided)

March 10, 2022 Inside Clean Energy Article by Dan Gearino

“Inside Clean Energy: Three Charts to Help Make Sense of 2021, a Year Coal Was Up and Solar Was Way Up”

March 9, 2022 Fossil Fuels article by Nicholas Kusnetz
“Carbon Capture Takes Center Stage, But Is Its Promise an illusion?” The oil industry, Biden administration and even some environmentalists see sucking carbon dioxide from smokestacks and the atmosphere as critical to solving climate crisis. But the IPCC says relying on it presents a “major risk.”

Available on VOX:

March 5, 2022 Article by Rebecca Leber

“America can’t solve its gas price problem (or its Russia problem) with drilling” The four myths Republicans have been spreading about oil and gas prices, explained.

https://www.vox.com/22959903/russia-ukraine-oil-gas-price-europe-us-exports-climate-change

Available on Evergreen Action:

March 7, 2022 Blog article

“Why clean energy is Our Best Response to Free the energy Market from Russian Aggression” Increasing investment in renewables would weaken petro-dictators like Vladimir Putin, who rely on international fossil fuel demand to prop up their national economics.

https://www.evergreenaction.com/blog/why-clean-energy-is-our-best-response-to-free-the-energy-market-from-russian-aggression

Available on UTILITY DIVE:

March 22, 2022 Article by Ethan Howland, Senior Reporter

“Coal plant owners seek to shut 3.2 GW in PJM in face of economic, regulatory and market pressures”

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/coal-plant-owners-seek-to-retire-power-in-pjm/620781/

RESOURCES, RESEARCH, and SOLUTIONS :

Available from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) : 

April 4, 2022       REPORT released by IPCC

Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Working Group III Contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report

Available from NASA Global Climate Change. Vital Signs of the Planet:

Released March 15, 2022  Video: Climate Spiral  (one minute and ten seconds)

https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/300/video-climate-spiral/

Excellent visualization showing monthly global temperature anomalies (changes from average) between years 1880 and 2021.

Available from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) :

March 7, 2022   Today in Energy, Suparna Ray is Principal contributor

“Solar power and batteries account for 60% of planned new U.S. electric generation capacity”

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=51518

Available from Climate Central (climatecentral.org): Researching and reporting the science and impacts of climate change

March 2, 2022  Climate Central research;  Climate Matters Resource

“Spring Package”

https://medialibrary.climatecentral.org/resources/2022-spring-package

Available from Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)

https://irecusa.org/career-maps/       Clean Energy Career Maps

February 28, 2022 Guide developed by IREC & SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) through the U.S. Dept of Energy Solar Ready Vets Network   (missing from previous media report)
“Dynamic Careers in the Solar Industry: A Guide for Career Counselors and Job Seekers”

Available on The Guardian.com:

March 26, 2022 Energy Efficiency Article by John Vidal – Interview with Amory Lovins

“Energy efficiency guru Amory Lovins: ‘It’s the largest, cheapest, safest, cleanest way to address the crisis’”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/amory-lovins-energy-efficiency-interview-cheapest-safest-cleanest-crisis

Available from Fractracker Alliance:

A Guide to Petrochemicals, The Fossil Fuel Blindspot

Maps of Oil & Gas Activity by State

February 8, 2022 Article by Erica Jackson (missing from previous media report)

“Ten Things I learned from Taking Break Free From Plastic’s Toxic Tours”

Available from Project DRAWDOWN:

March 15, 2022 Press release

“Project Drawdown launches “Drawdown’s Neighborhood” beginning with focus on Pittsburgh, PA

https://www.drawdown.org/news/insights/project-drawdown-launches-“drawdown’s-neighborhood”

to view programs: https://www.drawdown.org/programs/drawdown-stories/neighborhood

Episode #1 – Tuesday, March 15, 2022 “Clara Kitongo: Going To The Roots To Find Your Climate Superpower”

https://www.drawdown.org/programs/drawdown-stories/neighborhood/clara-kitongo (12:09 min. video)

Episode #2- Fueling A New, Cleaner Era of Mobility”/ Drawdown’s Neighborhood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhIPLkfpv-Y (11:29 minute)

Episode #3 – Climate Solutions & Equity Go Hand in Hand/” Drawdown’s Neighborhood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l23X5RSixEQ  (10:47 min)

Episode #4: “Using Your Passion to Power a Cleaner Fleet”/ Drawdown’s Neighborhood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVGeNd8lyLQ  (8:53min)

Available from Environmental Health Project: Defending Public Health 2012-2022:

March 29, 2022   Post to Environmental Health Project Blog

“Respiratory Hazards and Your Health”

https://www.environmentalhealthproject.org/post/respiratory-hazards-and-your-health