Why West Virginia is central to Biden’s climate crisis plans
By Bill Weir
(CNN)Joe Manchin once shot a hole in the climate-saving plan of his own party. Literally.
WEST VIRGINIA
The Mountain State is the second largest producer of coal and the fourth-largest energy producer in the country, with large reserves of recoverable coal that have fueled a long history of coal mining. As the world moves away from coal, states like West Virginia are struggling to adapt to job loss in the sector and fear that they will be disproportionately hurt by an energy transition. Its politics are heavily directed by coal, but despite opposition from the governor and a powerful coal lobby, the coal miners union and even some Republicans are indicating that they are ready to address coal pollution and climate change. Natural gas is poised to take the place of coal, with the state producing more natural gas than coal for the first time in 2018, with most of that production exported to neighboring states.
West Virginia does not have a state-wide climate adaptation plan, and only a modest renewable energy sector that powered, in 2018, approximately 5% of the state’s electricity generation. The mountainous terrain is well suited to hydropower and also hosts windfarms on the ridges in the east. Natural gas contributed a little over 2%. The bulk of its own electricity comes from coal — 92%.
West Virginia is the most flood prone state in the US, with a State of Emergency issued almost every year until 2019 when a State of Emergency issued in October was for a severe drought.
CREDIT: SCIENCE SAVES THE WORLD
CURRENT NEWS
Construction of 115MW wind farm in West Virginia started
Clearway Energy Group (Clearway) and West Virginia Governor Jim Justice have announced that construction has commenced on Black Rock, a 115MW wind farm that spans Grant and Mineral counties in West Virginia, USA.
Clearway Awards EPC Contract for West Virginia Wind Farm
By Matthew Mercure
Clearway Energy Group, a developer and operator of clean energy projects, has selected the Bechtel-Reed & Reed joint venture to build its Black Rock wind farm in Grant and Mineral counties, W. Va. The new…
One coal state senator holds the key to Biden’s ambitious climate agenda. And it’s not McConnell.
By Sarah Kaplan and Dino Grandoni Photo by Astrid Riecken
He’s a coal country native, born to a family of mining town mayors. As West Virginia governor, he sued the Environmental Protection Agency. He has scuttled efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, criticized the Paris climate agreement…
Coal-dependent West Virginia gets a $200 million wind farm
By Michelle Lewis
First, let’s check out West Virginia’s new wind farm. Construction is underway on the $200 million Black Rock Wind project. It consists of 23 turbines that produce 5 megawatts each on the Grant-Mineral county line,…
New report suggests WV’s electric utilities among those far behind on mitigating climate impact
By Mike Tony
A report released by an environmental nonprofit Monday suggests that electric utilities have a long way to work toward their clean energy goals.
Energy plays an important role in West Virginia economy
By Steve Roberts
West Virginia businesses, residents, and communities all benefit when our economy is strong and thriving.
A West Virginia City’s Rising Fortunes Widen the Political Divide
By Kris Maher And Aaron Zitner Photo by Kristian Thacker
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—Atop a hill just west of this university town stands a gleaming 400-acre entertainment and recreation complex, converted in recent years from a former coal mine.
West Virginia Republican Senator criticizes President Biden’s first executive actions
By Katie Rhee
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDVM) — Just hours before now President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Ceremony, Republican West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito criticized one of his executive orders including the Keystone XL pipeline.
Change at White House could mean change on future of fossil fuels in West Virginia
By Mark Curtis
CHARLESTON, WV (WTRF) — The change of administrations will likely mark a huge shift in U.S. energy policy, and that could have a big impact on Appalachian States that produce coal and natural gas. For…
Electric resource plans suggest hotly contested path to WV’s energy future
By Mike Tony
Electric utilities’ resource plans are intended to shed more light than heat, but answers about coal in the latest state filings can be difficult to divine.
America’s Newest National Park Is Also the First in West Virginia
By Olivia Rosane
The U.S. is beginning the new year with a new national park.
PLANS TO ACCELERATE RENEWABLES
KEY RESOURCES
About Office of Energy
The West Virginia Office of Energy is responsible for the formulation and implementation of fossil, renewable and energy efficiency initiatives designed to advance energy resource development opportunities and provide energy services to businesses, communities and…
The First National Flood Risk Assessment
The First Street Foundation Flood Model represents the culmination of decades of research and development made possible by building upon existing knowledge and frameworks regularly referenced in the identification of flood risk.
The Impacts of Climate Change and the Trump Administration’s Anti-Environmental Agenda in West Virginia
Between 2017 and 2019, West Virginia experienced three severe storms. The damages of these events led to losses of at least $1 billion.
MORE NEWS
Tax relief agreement approved for solar power project in Falling Waters, W.Va.
By Matthew Umstead 01/07/2021
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A 750-acre solar energy production project is being eyed for the DuPont Potomac River Works property in Falling Waters, W.Va.
Raleigh Chamber supports solar farm
By Jessica Farrish 8/29/20
The Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, sitting in a historic coal mining region, has come out in favor of a proposed solar farm in Raleigh County, endorsing diversification of energy sources, including renewable energy options,…
‘Evolution In People’s Thinking’: Solar Arrives in W.Va.
By Miranda Willson 8/28/20
Renewable energy has historically faced opposition in coal-rich West Virginia. Coal powered 92% of the state’s electricity in 2018, while renewables accounted for just 5% of the state’s electricity mix. But this spring, the West…
Trump Administration announces USDA funding for energy efficiency in West Virginia
By Sam Haines 8/25/20
The Trump Administration announced on Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $250,000 in energy efficiency funding with the Mister Bee Potato Chip Company in West Virginia. According to a release from…
On This West Virginia Morning, A Push For Renewable Jobs In Appalachia
8/24/20
On this West Virginia Morning, we discuss the idea of a “just transition” in Appalachia. The show begins with a pitch from Democrats last week during the Democratic National Convention to reach net zero greenhouse…
Cities With the Highest Flood Risk in Every State
By Andrew Lisa 8/23/20
Floods accounted for three of the 14 natural disasters that caused at least $1 billion in damage in the United States in 2019. In total, flooding impacted 14 million Americans last year and put another…
Coal country envisions paths forward in manufacturing, reclamation and renewables
By Mason Adams and Dustin Bleizeffer 8/18/20
The blue rubber rafts shriek as they slide down steep metal rails, each guided by a crew that will soon be floating down a 9-mile stretch of river, replete with Class III, IV and V…
Life After Coal: The Decline and Rise of West Virginia Coal Country
By Eric Scheuch 8/7/20
Areas formerly reliant on fossil fuel extraction can reinvent themselves and remain relevant in a decarbonizing economy. West Virginia shows that ignoring the need for that transition for too long results in unnecessary pain.
Chris Hamilton: Renewable energy doesn’t need its tax credits
By Chris Hamilton 5/28/20
Most people do not realize that for more than 40 years the federal government has been subsidizing the development of wind and solar energy to produce electricity. So far, federal subsidies for renewable energy total…
Southern Power purchases 56 MW West Virginia wind facility from Invenergy
By Chris Galford 05/27/2020
The facility consists of 20 turbines that began operation earlier this month. Under a 12-year power purchase agreement, Southern Power has become the majority owner. The associated energy credits will be sold to a customer.…
