LWVWV members August 2021

members@lists.lwvwv.org

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Upcoming Events: Redistricting; Climate, Jobs and Justice; Suffrage Celebration
by Julie Archer 16 Aug '21

16 Aug '21

The WV Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting is continuing to hold public hearings now through September 16. The next public hearing is tomorrow, August 17, in Martinsburg. Dates for three virtual public hearings have yet to be announced. See the full schedule and other redistricting information and resources compiled by our Fair Maps Committee here. [1] ----- The West Virginia Climate Alliance and a number of other organizations are holding a virtual public forum on Tuesday, August 24th from 7 to 8:30 pm. Climate, Jobs and Justice: A public forum on West Virginia's future is designed to educate and inform the public where climate policy stands in Congress and what people can do to impact this policy. Collin O'Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, will be joined by Pam Nixon of West Virginia NAACP, Jeremy Richardson of Unions of Concerned Scientist, and Sean O'Leary of Ohio River Valley Institute. It's a great lineup. Register here: Meeting Registration - Zoom [2] Over the next two months we will either adopt significant policy addressing the climate crisis or fail once again to make meaningful reforms. Please share the attached invitation with anyone who might be interested. ----- On August 26, please grab your favorite drink and join Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic for their Cocktails for a Cause: Celebration of Suffrage. Panelists include: South Carolina State Senator Margie Bright Matthews; Executive Director of the New North Carolina Project, Aimy Steele; and Effie Kallas, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of West Virginia. Register for FREE today. [3] Thursday, August 26, 2021 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. via Zoom As we commemorate the 101st anniversary of suffrage for many American women, we also recognize the ongoing fight for voting rights. States across the country have introduced a surge of legislation that would make it harder to cast a ballot, particularly targeting people of color, people with low-income, and young people. Voter suppression directly impedes our ability to control our bodies and plan our futures. These political attacks are a tremendous threat to what we stand for. Cocktails for a Cause [4] will feature an exciting panel discussion on Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic's role in getting out the vote in 2022, and standing against voter suppression. Register today! [5] Your support makes it possible for Planned Parenthood Votes! West Virginia PAC to expand and protect reproductive health and rights in West Virginia. BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR [6] or register here for free. [7] ----- Julie Archer (she/her/hers) Co-President (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://lwvwv.org/redistricting-information-resources/ [2] https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsceuvqzkqHtWHMZ-j7Pw3KjMLmBd9zP… [3] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838848/300105240/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi… [4] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838858/300105247/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi… [5] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838863/300105254/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi… [6] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838870/300105260/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi… [7] https://click.everyaction.com/k/33838877/300105271/1311666298?nvep=ew0KICAi…

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Action Alert: WV Water Protections Under Revision – Act by July 19
by Julie Archer 11 Aug '21

11 Aug '21

We're sharing this important Action Alert from our friends at the WV Rivers Coalition. All Hands on Deck: WV Water Protections Under Revision A recent a policy decision by the WVDEP related to water quality standards creates a loophole to allow industries to dump more toxins in our source water. This proposal is part of a second round of human health criteria revisions - the portion of our water quality standards that protects our health from dangerous pollutants like cancer causing toxins, chemicals known to cause birth-defects, and poisons like cyanide. Submit comments on the proposal today! [1] This policy is dangerous for West Virginia. Not only will it allow more toxins in our drinking water sources, it creates a shortcut for polluters to allow EVEN MORE toxins in our water with less public involvement. Ways this policy puts our health and our water at risk: * The proposal creates a loophole for industry to further weaken the human health criteria on a case-by-case basis if industry funds a study that sways the WVDEP to decide that water and fish can handle more toxins. * This is handout to big corporations, who can afford the studies. Hint: chemical manufacturers asked for this loophole, so we are pretty sure they can afford these studies and are confident they believe they can demonstrate results in their favor. * There is already a process in place to revise water quality standards. The revision sidesteps that procedure by creating a shortcut that reduces scrutiny and public input in decision-making. * The loophole exacerbates environmental justice issues by allowing more toxins in waters near industrialized areas, which are often poorer communities that are already struggling with problems related to social, economic, and environmental justice. * On top of all these factors, it's just plain old bad policy. It's_ _vague and sets a precedent for further weakening of water quality standards statewide. This is an all hand on deck call to action! You can submit comments on the proposal through July 19 here [1]. It's important for the WVDEP to hear personalized responses from commenters. Think about how the policy change would affect you and your loved ones personally. In addition to submitting written comments, please plan to join the virtual public hearing on the proposal on July 19 at 6:00PM [2]. Links: ------ [1] https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/hhc2021/index.html [2] https://dep.wv.gov/events/Pages/event.aspx?eventid=363

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LWVWV members August 2021