WEST VIRGINIA - Climate Change Resources

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.

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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.

West Virginia Center on Climate Change

West Virginians are increasingly affected by the crisis of human-caused global warming and climate change. To address this challenge, West Virginians need science-based research, education, communication, dialogue, advocacy, policy, and action. The mission of the…

Central Appalachian Summit Mesonet

The Virginia Tech Department of Geography has begun the development of a regional mountaintop mesonet in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and West Virginia, and the Apogee TS-100 aspirated radiation shield is being used to…

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WV Public Broadcasting

Passage Of Utility Solar Bill Expands Renewables In W.Va. For Some

By Brittany Patterson 3/24/20

During the 2020 state legislative session, we asked you what energy and environment issues were on your mind. We got a lot of great responses, but one area in particular stood out — many of…

wvpb

In Coal-Heavy W.Va., Senate Advances Utility Solar Bill

By Brittany Patterson 02/14/2020

The West Virginia Commerce Department requested the bipartisan bill. Officials there said West Virginia’s lack of solar energy is a detriment to attracting some new businesses to the state, as increasingly large companies require access…

WVNEWS

Experts Weigh In On Reality Of Renewable Energy In WV

By Clarissa Cottrill 2/9/20

From presidential races to local and state legislation, the issue of climate change is at the forefront, with many pushing for more renewable energy sources, especially in places like West Virginia with a long history…

WVPB

Solar Supporters Make Economic Case For Legalizing Third-Party Installation

By Brittany Patterson 01/09/2020

PPAs allow third-party developers to install solar panels on residential or business property at little cost to the property owner. The developer sells the power generated to the host — saving them money on their…

InsideClimate News

Climate Change Threatens a Giant of West Virginia’s Landscape, and It’s Rippling Through Ecosystems and Lives

By Kate Mishkin, Charleston Gazette-Mail 11/24/19

‘We lose this, and we lose that,’ a former state scientist says, ‘and what’s unique and beautiful starts to fall apart.’

Ohio Valley Resource

Rethinking Retraining: Why Worker Training Programs Alone Won’t Save Coal Country

By Becca Schimmel 10/4/19

As automation continues to grow, and the coal industry declines, more people will be displaced. The challenge is training those workers for jobs that pay well and aren’t likely to be outsourced or automated.

Office of the Governor

Gov. Justice declares State of Emergency for all 55 counties due to drought conditions

Gov. Jim Justice has declared a State of Emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties due to a prolonged shortage of rainfall that has caused moderate drought conditions across much of the state and severe…

Charleston Gazette-Mail

During legislative interims, Hansen, Hanshaw chat with students about climate change

By Kate Mishkin 9/24/19

For 45 minutes, the legislators fielded questions about the environmental and economic repercussions of climate change, and what students can do to fight it.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting

W.Va. Students Join Millions In Global Climate Strike

By Brittany Patterson Photo: Jesse Wright 9/20/19

More than 150 West Virginia college students and residents skipped class and work on Friday to raise awareness about the growing threat of climate change. The protest was part of a global climate action that…

CNN

Miners union president: ‘Coal’s not back. Nobody saved the coal industry.’

By Kate Sullivan 9/5/19

The president of United Mine Workers of America said Wednesday that the coal industryis not “back,” despite President Donald Trump’s claims.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting

WVU Professor Discusses West Virginia’s Climate Future

By Brittany Patterson Photo: Jesse Wright 8/27/19

Hotter, wetter and drier — this is what the climate of West Virginia could look like in the future. That’s according to new research by Nicolas Zegre, a professor at West Virginia University and director of…

WV Public Broadcasting

How a Carbon Tax Could End Some Coal Towns, or Fund a New Future

By Sydney Boles and Ohio Valley Resource Photo: Jeff Young/ Ohio Valley Resource 7/15/19

Declining coal tax revenues place coal-reliant counties in Appalachia at risk of fiscal collapse, according to new research from the centrist Brookings Institution and Columbia University. Policies designed to prevent further climate change would accelerate…

WV Public Broadcasting

How a Carbon Tax Could End Some Coal Towns, or Fund a New Future

By Sydney Boles and Ohio Valley Resource Photo: Jeff Young/ Ohio Valley Resource 7/15/19

Ohio Valley Resource

New Economic Data Show Appalachia’s Struggles Amid Coal’s Decline

By Becca Schimmel 6/25/19

An annual report from the Appalachian Regional Commission shows that while Appalachia is seeing some economic improvement, the heart of the region and its coal-producing communities are still struggling. Several counties in the Ohio Valley are moving…

WV Public Broadcasting

W.Va. House Passes Bill to Reduce Coal Severance Tax

By Brittany Patterson Photo: Cecelia Mason/ WV Public Broadcasting 2/28/19

Long sought by industry, the legislation would reduce the severance tax paid by coal companies on steam or thermal coal from 5 percent to 4 percent effective July 1 and to 3 percent effective July…