’Tis the Season . . . to be wary. Wary of the West Virginia Legislature, that is

You see, the 2014 regular legislative session begins on January 8, just three short weeks away. So this is our annual request for your financial contributions to help support the WVEC lobby team. This will be our 25th year lobbying the legislature.

While the holiday season is normally hectic for everyone, here at WVEC we are also busy preparing to hit the marble hallways.  We are assembling the lobby team and developing our campaign strategies.  We are already meeting with Delegates and Senators, legislative staff, and state regulators.  We are already spending the money we are asking you to provide!

It’s a simple request that doesn’t need a lot of explanation.  The West Virginia Environmental Council is your voice at the West Virginia legislature for the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the mountains, rivers and valleys you love so much.  And the money that funds the WVEC lobbying effort comes from you, our friends.

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Tell The U.S. Coast Guard to KEEP FRACKING WASTE OFF OUR RIVER BARGES

This Friday, when we're all tired of turkey, the comment period closes on another turkey:

PLEASE COMMENT BEFORE NOV. 29TH

Action
Notice of availability and request for comments.
Summary
The Coast Guard announces the availability of a proposed policy letter concerning the carriage of shale gas extraction waste water in bulk via barge, and invites public comment. The policy letter specifies the conditions under which a barge owner may request and be granted a Certificate of Inspection endorsement or letter allowing the barge to transport shale gas extraction waste water in bulk. The policy letter also defines the information the Coast Guard may require the barge owner to provide and specifies the additional requirements the Coast Guard is considering imposing on such barges. Upon reviewing comments received on this proposed policy letter, Coast Guard will issue the final policy letter and specify its effective date.

Why You Shouldn't Drill in a Flood Plain

This is why many Doddridge County citizens are working so hard to keep drilling out of our county flood plains. Two drilling companies have already sued Doddridge County over flood plain ordinance issues because they think it's OK to drill in a flood plain. We disagree. Please share this post to all on your lists and your group lists to make it go viral and so that others can see this picture and know that Doddridge citizens are trying to protect our land and drinking water from toxic chemicals.

Brine Dumping Illegal — OHIO D.N.R. Says Water Poured into Private Pond - Another OH Company Shut Down for Illegal Frack Wastewater Dumping

From the Article by Ian Hicks, The Wheeling Intelligencer,

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ordered Harch Environmental Resources to cease its operations in the state after an inspector reportedly uncovered evidence it dumped brine illegally at a Belmont County farm. The company had been contracted by Gulfport Energy Resources to dispose of the brine from its oil field operations.

EQT, Cougar Land Services and Geokinetics present their plans for seismic testing in the areas around Jefferson Hills Pa.

U.S. EPA Announces Peer Review Panel For Hydraulic Fracturing Study

by

Jason Yearout

On Monday, March 25, the USEPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) announced that it has formed an independent body of experts to peer-review the agency’s ongoing hydraulic fracturing research. Specifically, the Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory Panel (Panel) will review USEPA’s Congressionally-mandated draft report from its national study on any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. That report is due to be released next year. Our prior coverage of USEPA’s study (requested by Congressional resolution in 2009 and commenced in 2011) can be found here and here. Before the report is released, the Panel also will provide scientific feedback on USEPA’s research and hear presentations by outside experts on hydraulic fracturing technologies.