March 2023 - News - lists.bikelover.org

PETITION ALERT ~ L.N.G. by Rail is Way Too Dangerous, Tell President Biden and the PHMSA
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 10 Mar '23

10 Mar '23

# [PETITION ALERT ~ L.N.G. by Rail is Way Too Dangerous, Tell President Biden and the PHMSA](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/10/petition-alert-l-n-g- by-rail-is-way-too-dangerous-tell-president-biden-and-the-phmsa/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/C1A9F04E-010D-4D21-A33C-57B655679B9A.jpeg)](https:/… content/uploads/2023/03/C1A9F04E-010D-4D21-A33C-57B655679B9A.jpeg) You can help to prevent LNG accidents, fires and injuries … [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/D14A8541-7B32-4A38-ADC1-52D18D8BB68E-300x24.png)](h… content/uploads/2023/03/D14A8541-7B32-4A38-ADC1-52D18D8BB68E.png) **Stop Liquified Natural Gas by Rail in Your Community!** **MEMO** :[ To Regional Residents & Concerned Citizens, Mid-Atlantic States](https://cleanaircouncil.salsalabs.org/bombtrains_copy1?wvpId=3ba821…, March 9, 2023 **We are asking for your support to[sign a petition asking President Biden and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to take action to protect communities from the transport of dangerous liquified natural gas (LNG) by rail. LNG is natural gas that is chilled to -260°F.](https://cleanaircouncil.salsalabs.org/lngrailpetition/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=4760a265-1fd8-4eeb-8434-8d4fd0a8f4ce) It is highly flammable and explosive when exposed to air and can burn the skin if it makes contact.** PHMSA is a federal agency under the Department of Transportation that is responsible for regulating the nation’s pipeline infrastructure. In July 2020, PHMSA issued a rule that lifted a long-standing ban on transporting liquified natural gas (LNG) by rail. PHMSA also issued a special permit to specifically allow the transport of LNG by rail from a liquefaction plant in Wyalusing, PA to an export terminal in Gibbstown, NJ by a company called New Energy Solutions. This LNG would then be shipped overseas. **The proposed rail route for this project would expose almost 2 million people to the risks of LNG, many of whom are low-income and already overburdened by environmental injustice. The special permit allows the transport of LNG using rail cars that were not designed for LNG transport, adding to the potential for a catastrophic incident. And as LNG is made from methane gas, it’s a highly potent greenhouse gas, further exacerbating the climate crisis.** **[Urge PHMSA to suspend the rule that authorizes LNG to be transported by rail, to deny the renewal of the special permit for Energy Transport Solutions, and to permanently ban the transport of LNG by rail.](https://cleanaircouncil.salsalabs.org/lngrailpetition/index.html?eTy… Thank you for taking this important action. >>> _Sincerely, Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director and Chief Counsel_ CLEAN AIR COUNCIL, 200 FIRST AVE, SUITE 200, PITTSBURGH, PA 15222 URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/10/petition-alert-l-n-g-by-rail-is- way-too-dangerous-tell-president-biden-and-the-phmsa/>

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Traditional Values Under Threat in U.S. Congress: E.S.G. Plans Under Attack!
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 09 Mar '23

09 Mar '23

# [Traditional Values Under Threat in U.S. Congress: E.S.G. Plans Under Attack!](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/09/traditional-values-under- threat-in-u-s-congress-e-s-g-plans-under-attack/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/9E048C83-2E2F-4BD9-9264-6C42462F244D.jpeg)](https:/… content/uploads/2023/03/9E048C83-2E2F-4BD9-9264-6C42462F244D.jpeg) Many investors say “ESG Is Here To Stay” **Conservative values cast aside, Congress wages war on ‘woke’** [Opinion Editorial of the Morgantown Dominion Post](https://www.dominionpost.com/2023/03/08/conservative-values-cast-asid… congress-wages-war-on-woke/), March 9, 2023 While we’ve been largely focused on what’s been happening in Charleston lately, we’ve also had our eye on Washington, D.C., and the culture war backlash happening there. **Last week, Congress passed a joint resolution “disapproving” a Department of Labor rule that allows investment firms to take into consideration environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. The resolution, if signed into law, would reverse the rule and forbid investment firms from using non-monetary factors when crafting portfolios for investors — even if it’s what investors want.** **The House of Representatives passed the resolution on a party-line vote. In the Senate, Sens. Joe Manchin and John Tester (D-Mont.) joined with Republicans to approve the disapproval.** (In an interview with Fox News about his support of the resolution, Manchin said, “E.S.G.s by itself could just kill our economy.” We assume he means the fossil fuel industry, from which he personally benefits.) **The resolution will go to President Joe Biden, who will have to decide whether or not to veto the bill. We hope he does. Because when it comes to ESG investing, also called sustainable investing, Congress has crossed the line with its resolution.** There are certainly cases where government interference in the market is warranted — like when monopolies kill competition and drive up prices, or when companies shirk their responsibilities to protect consumers. **The Department of Labor rule does not mandate that investment firms offer ESG, nor does it give any government-funded incentive for doing so — it merely gives financial institutions the ability to offer something that consumers increasingly want.** **Even within investment firms, not every client has to participate.** The vast majority — including big-name firms like Charles Schwab and Fisher Investments — offer optional ESG portfolios, traditional portfolios that give zero consideration to ESG or the ability to select a combination of ESG and regular investments. **In other words, Congress’ resolution is actually limiting the free market.** Individual investors increasingly want to know that their money is doing “good” and supporting companies that reflect their own personal values. Congress is essentially taking away investors’ say in what’s being done with their dollars, because conservatives view ESG as a form of “woke-ism” forcing progressive values onto Wall Street, rather than the market responding to consumer demand. **It boggles the mind how quickly conservatives abandon their small-government, free-market values in their endless pursuit of culture wars.** **If the government were to step in, it should only be to standardize the definition of ESG. What factors and benchmarks are considered ESG vary widely. In general, though, ESG considers things like companies’ environmental impact or green initiatives; diversity policies or human rights records; and political contributions or history of lawsuits. Some critics have raised the issue of “greenwashing” — companies claiming to be environmentally friendly or socially responsible — that make companies look more attractive for ESG investing than they actually are.** _[Sometimes government regulation of the financial industry is necessary — but this is not one of those times.](https://www.dominionpost.com/2023/03/08/conservative-values-cast- aside-congress-wages-war-on-woke/)_ URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/09/traditional-values-under-threat- in-u-s-congress-e-s-g-plans-under-attack/>

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Absolutely No Real Necessity to Build & Operate Nuclear Reactors
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 08 Mar '23

08 Mar '23

# [Absolutely No Real Necessity to Build & Operate Nuclear Reactors](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/08/absolutely-no-real- necessity-to-build-operate-nuclear-reactors/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/EBFB9A52-9CE8-4B27-9DC6-A269711BB14A.jpeg)](https:/… content/uploads/2023/03/EBFB9A52-9CE8-4B27-9DC6-A269711BB14A.jpeg) Modular nuclear reactors will be incredibly expensive, quite dangerous when operating and generate high level radioactive waste **[Action Alert from the WV Environmental Council](https://wvecouncil.org/), March 8, 2023** At any time, **the Senate Finance Committee is set to consider HB 2896, which aims to** **designate West Virginia as an agreement state with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC). However, this move could result in a financial burden of at least 9 million dollars for our State over the next 4-8 years. (As per the US NRC 's estimation, becoming an agreement state takes around 4-8 years.)** **The financial impact of HB 2896 cannot be ignored. This amount of money is substantial, especially considering the current funding shortages faced by the WV Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP), which is already struggling to fulfill its regulatory obligations towards existing industries.** **Please contact Senate Finance Committee members and tell them you do not want West Virginia to take on the financial burden of HB 2896! Calls are most effective:** Senator Eric Tarr (Chair): (304) 357-7901 Senator Rupie Phillips (Vice Chair): (304) 357-7857 Senator Jason Barrett: (304) 357-7933 Senator Donna J. Boley: (304) 357-7905 Senator Charles H. Clements: (304) 357-7827 Senator Glenn Jeffries: (304) 357-7866 Senator Mike Maroney: (304) 357-7902 Senator Eric Nelson: (304) 357-7854 Senator Mike Oliverio: (304) 357-7919 Senator Robert H. Plymale: (304) 357-7937 Senator Ben Queen: (304) 357-7904 Senator Rollan A. Roberts: (304) 357-7831 Senator Randy Smith: (304) 357-7995 Senator Chandler Swope: (304) 357-7843 Senator Jack Woodrum: (304) 357-7849 >>> _[West Virginia Environmental Council](https://wvecouncil.org/), P.O. Box 1007, Charleston, WV 25324_ info(a)wvecouncil.org (304) 414-0143 URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/08/absolutely-no-real-necessity-to- build-operate-nuclear-reactors/>

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SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS (SUN) issues their impressive Annual Report
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 07 Mar '23

07 Mar '23

# [SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS (SUN) issues their impressive Annual Report](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/07/solar-united-neighbors-issu… their-impressive-annual-report/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/9EAC5299-1403-404E-886B-B5D5070009F7-300x168.jpg)](… content/uploads/2023/03/9EAC5299-1403-404E-886B-B5D5070009F7.jpeg) SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS are very active! **To: Everyone Interested & Concerned About Energy Supply and the Environment** From the [Solar United Neighbors, Washington, DC,](https://go.solarunitedneighbors.org/webmail/941793/251695294/638e32be6… March 6, 2023 I’m thrilled to share our [2022 Annual Report](https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Sol… United-Neighbors-Annual-Report-2022.pdf) with you. In it, you’ll find just a sampling of all of the incredible work our team accomplished last year. [Here’s a few highlights:](https://go.solarunitedneighbors.org/webmail/941793/251695294/6… A. Helped pass the largest federal solar policy in a generation (the Inflation Reduction Act). B. Rallied hundreds of solar supporters to successfully defend net metering against a utility-sponsored bill in Florida. C. Launched a new program in Puerto Rico. D. Helped more than 1,300 households go solar (our biggest year yet!), including 40 low- and-moderate income families. E. Hosted 379 community events to educate, organize, and celebrate solar! Thank you for being a part of the solar community. Together, we’re building a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. >> _Best wishes, Anya Schoolman, Executive Director, Solar United Neighbors_ **P.S. Like what you see?** [Support our work and spread the SUN even further by giving today!](https://secure.givelively.org/donate/solar-united- neighbors/donate-now-and-support-solar-06385778-212c-4f22-95bd-3f32649c8ba0/) **NOTE** ~ [You can read the 2022 Annual Report here.](https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Sola… United-Neighbors-Annual-Report-2022.pdf) URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/07/solar-united-neighbors-issues- their-impressive-annual-report/>

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CONSIDER West Virginians for Energy Freedom (WV4EF)
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 06 Mar '23

06 Mar '23

# [CONSIDER West Virginians for Energy Freedom (WV4EF)](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/06/consider-west-virginians-fo… energy-freedom-wv4ef/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/17D28643-9250-4DD3-A12B-A07369A21732-300x300.png)](… content/uploads/2023/03/17D28643-9250-4DD3-A12B-A07369A21732.png)**Community solar projects enable individuals, businesses, or organizations to purchase or subscribe to a “share” in a community solar project. Community solar participants receive a credit on their electric bill each month for the energy produced by their share.** URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/06/consider-west-virginians-for- energy-freedom-wv4ef/>

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TRAIN DISASTER in East Palestine Pollutes Eastern Ohio & Ohio River
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 05 Mar '23

05 Mar '23

# [TRAIN DISASTER in East Palestine Pollutes Eastern Ohio & Ohio River](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/05/train-disaster-in-east- palestine-pollutes-eastern-ohio-ohio-river/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/FEDCD3F5-C5F1-4158-ABFA-B46AD3EBF48C-300x168.jpg)](… content/uploads/2023/03/FEDCD3F5-C5F1-4158-ABFA-B46AD3EBF48C.jpeg) Chemical pollution toxic to land, to fish, to animals and people. (Click image to enlarge it) **Environmental Disaster from East Palestine, OH Train Derailment** From the [Article by Leigh Martinez, PennFuture Blog](https://www.pennfuture.org/Blog-Item-2023-East-Palestine-Ohio-Train- Disaster), February 23, 2023 The East Palestine, Ohio train derailment disaster is shocking in its scale and potential effects. Unfortunately, we may not know this disaster's long- term health and environmental impacts for months or even years. The gradual release and burn of these chemicals increased the risk that they spread beyond the crash site. With butyl acrylate found in local surface water, testing the groundwater supply and subsoil is crucial. We encourage anyone concerned about pollution and the safety of their community to document their observations and request soil and well water testing from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The residents of East Palestine and neighboring communities deserve transparency around the EPA's plan for continued air quality monitoring and the data of air tests. Regardless of location and as a regular practice, residents should report any unusual odor or changes in environmental conditions to the appropriate state environmental agency. We encourage residents to do their best to document the changes they've observed so environmental threats can be tracked and mitigated. PennFuture continues to closely track developments and information coming from both locals and government agencies. **What We Know of the Accident** ~ On Friday, February 3, at 8:54 p.m. ET, a Norfolk Southern freight train heading to Conway, Pennsylvania, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, approximately 1.2 miles from the Pennsylvania state line. Thirty-eight rail cars went off the tracks and caught fire. According to the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB), the investigating agency, a resident's home surveillance video showed what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheating failure moments before the derailment. The fear of a possible explosion forced the evacuation of 1,500 to 2,000 residents in a town of only 4,900. **An Explanation of the Environmental Disaster ~** The train towed 20 cars with hazardous material—11 of which derailed. Five overturned cars contained vinyl chloride, a chemical used to make PVC plastic and vinyl products. According to the National Cancer Institute, it is a flammable gas and cancer- causing. Norfolk Southern said some cars carrying vinyl chloride were at risk of exploding. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine authorized a controlled burn of the chemicals on Monday, February 6. This burn resulted in a massive smoke plume. **Vinyl Chloride ~** When burned, vinyl chloride breaks down into two chemicals: hydrogen chloride and phosgene. Phosgene is highly poisonous—used in chemical warfare during World War I and responsible for many deaths, according to the CDC. While long-term exposure to higher concentrations of the gas can be deadly, the gas released by Norfolk did not result in reports of injuries or fatalities. **Hydrogen Chloride ~** This strong acid gas can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation and pain. **Other Chemicals Onboard ~** In addition to vinyl chloride, the EPA listed the following chemicals as also on the train: 3. Butyl acrylate — a liquid used for making paint, adhesives, and sealants, 4. Ethylhexyl acrylate — a liquid used for making paint, printing inks, and plastics, is toxic to the lungs and nervous system, 5. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether — an industrial solvent that can be absorbed through the skin and is toxic to the liver and kidneys, 6. Isobutylene — a gas used in antioxidants, packaging, plastics, and high-octane plane fuel. **It 's currently known that the derailment caused the release of butyl acrylate and ethylhexyl acrylate, which leaked into the ground, nearby streams, and storm drains.** Another major cause for alarm is the areas of contaminated soil and free liquids that, according to the EPA, "were observed and potentially covered and/or filled during reconstruction of the rail line including portions of the trench /burn pit that was used for the open burn off of vinyl chloride." Having multiple chemicals released adds to the complexity of the situation. On Tuesday, February 21, EPA Administrator Michael Regan ordered Norfolk Southern Railway to pay for the contaminated soil and water cleanup and reimburse the EPA for the private cleanup of residential homes and businesses. This order enables the EPA to force Norfolk Southern to adhere to a plan set and managed by the EPA. **Health Impacts ~** The EPA monitored the air quality and tested East Palestine's municipal drinking water well. Private well water testing is ongoing and residents with wells are told to still use bottled water. The EPA did not yet release the data from air monitor testing. **Drinking Water ~** Ohio Gov. DeWine said on Wednesday, February 16, that the water in East Palestine's municipal system is safe to drink based on the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's results, however: 1. The Ohio EPA recommends people using private wells for drinking water schedule an appointment for well water testing. 2. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will conduct independent water sampling to monitor water contamination risks related to the train derailment closely. **Air Monitoring ~** Air quality monitors are a tool to measure exposure to air contaminants, but the technology has limitations. While the EPA has come out to say the air quality in and around East Palestine is safe for residents to return home, officials have not provided any data from the air tests. Depending on which types of air monitors the EPA is utilizing, they may not be providing the exact chemical breakdown and measurements in the air. How a healthy first responder reacts to a particular air quality measurement differs from an older adult or a child. The EPA needs to be transparent with community members on the technology used to test air quality, the limitations of the equipment, the chemical specificity found, and the measurements. **Environmental Impacts ~** The Norfolk Southern train carried 20 cars with hazardous materials. After the spill, chemicals—including an entire load of butyl acrylates—were seen running into storm drains and water sources. As of Tuesday, February 21—two weeks after the train derailment—Norfolk Southern reported the chemical spill contaminated at least 15,000 pounds of soil and 1.1 million gallons of water. Locals documented images of dead fish and an oily sheen along Ohio River tributaries days after the spill. Those streams are reintroduction sites for the hellbender salamander. Water pollution puts endangered amphibian species at risk. An official with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources told WKBN that it would take time to know the effects on the hellbender. The federal government's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry opened an investigation tracking the chemical exposure. **Water Contamination ~** According to the Ohio EPA, the Sulphur Run stream was the body of water most impacted by the derailment because of an "impoundment" on February 8 when officials rerouted the water with the damming and pumps. Environmental teams dammed a portion of Sulphur Run and rerouted it to protect water downstream. Teams will treat contaminated water with booms, aeration, and carbon filtration units. **What Are Dioxins?** Dioxins are highly toxic, persistent organic pollutants that take a long time to break down once in the environment. They are a contaminant formed during the production of some chlorinated organic compounds, released through waste incineration or burning fuels. Dioxins can travel long distances in the air or water; when they settle into the soil, it will take several years to break down. Once in the environment, they can accumulate in the food chain—primarily in animal fat, fish, and shellfish. Dioxins can cause cancer, disrupt hormones, lead to reproductive and developmental problems, and damage the immune system. In July 1976, a chemical plant explosion near Seveso, Italy exposed locals to the highest known levels of dioxin. Ohio's senators Sherrod Brown (D) and J.D. Vance (R) sent a joint letter requesting the state and federal EPAs to test the air for dioxins. [Follow EPA updates on the environmental impact of the Norfolk Southern train derailment disaster.](https://response.epa.gov/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=15933) **What Pennsylvania Leaders Say About Railroad Safety ~** **On Tuesday, February 21, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said his office made a criminal referral against Norfolk Southern to the acting Pennsylvania attorney general for review. At a press conference with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Shapiro said: "The combination of Norfolk Southern's corporate greed, incompetence, and lack of care for our residents is absolutely unacceptable."** Shapiro previously said publicly and in a letter to Norfolk Southern's CEO: "You can be assured that Pennsylvania will hold Norfolk Southern accountable for any and all impacts to our Commonwealth." **Gov. Shapiro listed three critical things Norfolk Southern did wrong after the derailment:** 1\. Norfolk Southern made its own plan and did not implement a unified command which confused first responders and emergency management. As a result, state and local agencies had to react versus work in tandem. 2\. Norfolk Southern gave inaccurate information and conflicting modeling about the impact of the controlled release of chemicals. 3\. Norfolk Southern was unwilling to explore an alternative to burning chemicals and released and burned the chemicals without warning government agencies. **Pennsylvania 's senators Bob Casey (D) and John Fetterman (D) sent a joint letter with the Ohio senators requesting the EPA continue its monitoring of the land, air, and water in East Palestine, Darlington Township in Beaver County, and other impacted communities "until the long-term effects of the exposure are fully understood."** **Questions and Actions Post-Emergency Operations** [PennFuture believes environmental disasters are long-term public health disasters.](https://www.pennfuture.org/Blog-Item-2023-East-Palestine-Ohio- Train-Disaster) We should ask the following questions of Norfolk Southern Railway Company and Pennsylvania and Ohio leaders: 1\. What is the current plan for continued community engagement? How frequently will residents in East Palestine and the surrounding areas receive updates? Are there opportunities to comment on cleanup plans? 2. How is ambient air being monitored? What are those measurements? 3. Where are air samples being collected? 4. How frequently is the air quality being tested? 5. Do experts know how far the toxic plume traveled? 6. Which bodies of water are scientists sampling, and for which chemical constituents? 7. Are officials advising children and dogs not to play in streams? 8. Were surface wipes used on residents' homes and vehicles? If so, what were the results? 9. Where are soil samples being collected, and how deep are those samples? 10. What is the plan for dioxin testing? 11. What is the plan to notify the community of dioxin contamination? 12. Was the controlled release and burn the best way to control the chemicals? 13. What are the reasoning and safety around transporting various chemicals near one another? 14. Was the train adequately inspected? Are there plans to improve the inspections in the future? 15. How can the community engage with testing and ongoing monitoring? 16. Are we investing enough in environmental agencies' personnel and equipment to ensure the fastest and best response to the next disaster? **Notable Environmental Organizations to Follow ~ Ohio Environmental Council & Clean Air Council** The longer people go without answers and action, anxiety and fear grow in the community. We need to limit pollution's impact on the ecosystem and mental health. East Palestine and Beaver County residents deserve transparency in testing and cleanup and a clear plan for long-term environmental monitoring. URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/05/train-disaster-in-east- palestine-pollutes-eastern-ohio-ohio-river/>

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Community Solar Petition Available Now ~ You Can Sign & Be Helpful!
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 04 Mar '23

04 Mar '23

# [Community Solar Petition Available Now ~ You Can Sign & Be Helpful!](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/04/community-solar-petition- available-now-you-can-sign-be-helpful/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/08167427-555A-43ED-893C-7CD8F306D0F2-300x46.jpg)](h… content/uploads/2023/03/08167427-555A-43ED-893C-7CD8F306D0F2.jpeg) Strength & progress result when our various groups work together **Sign the petition: Show your support for community solar ASAP** From the [Coalition Named “West Virginians for Energy Freedom”](https://www.energyfreedomwv.org/community-solar) You can join with fellow West Virginians in support of allowing community solar in our State of West Virginia. Community solar will rein in energy costs, create jobs, and promote energy freedom. [Community solar projects](https://www.energyfreedomwv.org/community-solar) enable individuals, businesses, or organizations to purchase or subscribe to a “share” in a community solar project. Community solar participants receive a credit on their electric bill each month for the energy produced by their share. And, community solar ensures we have the right to choose where our electricity comes from. Also, **community solar** has the power to save West Virginia families millions of dollars per year through lower electric bills. It does so while encouraging local economic development throughout the State. This creates good jobs and attracts more employers to invest in West Virginia. **Let’s face it, community solar is a free-market way to generate electricity. Let’s secure energy freedom for West Virginia families now, i. e., as soon as possible.** #######+++++++#######+++++++######## **SEE ALSO:** “[Advocates Pitch Community Solar To State Lawmakers. Some Say No](https://wvpublic.org/advocates-pitch-community-solar-to-state-lawmakers- some-say-no/),” Curtis Tate, WV Public Broadcasting, January 10, 2023 URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/04/community-solar-petition- available-now-you-can-sign-be-helpful/>

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PLEASE HELP OUT! ~ The WV Legislative Session End on March 11th!
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 03 Mar '23

03 Mar '23

# [PLEASE HELP OUT! ~ The WV Legislative Session End on March 11th!](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/03/please-help-out-the-wv- legislative-session-end-on-march-11th/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/38558B61-2C00-4EF1-96C9-24C72A504525-300x94.png)](h… content/uploads/2023/03/38558B61-2C00-4EF1-96C9-24C72A504525.png) WV Rivers Coalition is a not-for-profit organization in the public interest **[One Week to Go!](http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bulletin_Board/calendar/calendar_2023.cfm) What Policy Priorities Are Still in Play in the WV Legislature? ** . . . From the [West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Charleston, WV](https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/marchenews?wvpId=1484761a-9d09-4d6b-911f…, March 3, 2023 **HB 3189, the PFAS Protection Act** , passed the House in a vote of 82-9. It’s now referenced to Government Organization Committee in the Senate. Contact your Senators and urge them to pass the PFAS Protection Act! [Learn more about the PFAS problem here](https://wvrivers.org/pfas/). [Contact Your Senator on PFAS](https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/senatepfas/index.html?eType=EmailBlast… #####+++++#####+++++##### **HB 3110, which increases funding for inspectors with the WVDEP Office of Oil and Gas (OOG)** , passed the House unanimously. Unfortunately the bill that passed was weakened, leaving the state with less than 20 inspectors to oversee more than 75,000 wells. The Charleston Gazette-Mail has carried a discussion of the importance of this bill. It is now referenced to the Finance Committee in the Senate. Contact your Senators and encourage them to fully fund the WVDEP Office of Oil and Gas! [Read our fact sheet here.](https://fdfad2.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/02/OOG2.3.2023.pdf/) [Contact Your Senator on Office of Oil & Gas (OOG) Inspectors](https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/oogfundingsenate/index.html?eTyp… #####+++++######+++++####### **SB 468, which permanently reauthorizes off-road vehicles in Cabwaylingo State Park** , passed the Senate on a vote of 29-4. A proposed amendment to open additional public lands to off-road vehicles was defeated in committee. [However, the amended bill does allow connector trails from public lands to private lands. It now goes over to the House.](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb… #######+++++++#######+++++++####### **See Also:** [GREEN Newsletter, Volume 33, Number 8, West Virginia Environmental Council](https://wvecouncil.org/), March 3, 2023 URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/03/please-help-out-the-wv- legislative-session-end-on-march-11th/>

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Small Modular Nuclear Reactors ~ Bad Deal or Terrible Deal
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 02 Mar '23

02 Mar '23

# [Small Modular Nuclear Reactors ~ Bad Deal or Terrible Deal](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/02/small-modular-nuclear-reactor… bad-deal-or-terrible-deal/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/57B4AAB5-38E6-43BF- BA8A-5652F07CDB8F-232x300.jpg)](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/57B4AAB5-38E6-43BF-BA8A-5652F07CDB8F.jpeg) Small Modular Nuclear Reactors studied by Union of Concerned Scientists **Small modular nuclear reactors: A bad deal for Southwest Virginia! And all of us!** From the [Letter by Rees Shearer, Virginia Mercury,](https://www.virginiamercury.com/2023/02/16/small-modular-nuclear- reactors-a-good-deal-for-southwest-virginia/) February 16, 2023 **In announcing his 2022 Virginia Energy Plan, Gov. Youngkin said, “A growing Virginia must have reliable, affordable and clean energy for Virginia’s families and businesses.” The Governor’s plan to promote and subsidize Small Modular nuclear Reactors (SMnRs) in Southwest Virginia fails all three of the Governor’s own criteria:** >>> SMnRs can’t be reliable when they cannot reliably be built and brought on line in a predictable and timely fashion. >>> SMnRs can’t be affordable because nuclear power is close to the costliest of all forms of electric power generation. >>> SMnRs can’t be clean since they produce extremely toxic high and low-level nuclear waste, which has no safe storage or disposal solution. **Appalachia has long served as a sacrifice zone for rapacious energy ambitions of other regions.** Southwest Virginians have had reason to hope that would change as opportunities for low-cost solar development emerged in recent years. Instead, politicians like Youngkin are making too-good-to-be- true promises about SMnRs, sidelining opportunities to promote solar, which can produce power in a matter of weeks, not decades. Imposing SMnRs on Southwest Virginia is disturbing. My father worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s. The promise the nuclear industry and the government touted then – “electricity, too cheap to meter” – never has been realized. TVA and other utilities abandoned nuclear plants under construction, leaving costly monuments to that folly and sticking electricity customers with the bill. **COSTS** : It’s not at all clear that SMnR technology will succeed, or when. Levelized cost charts of electric power generation rate nuclear as among the very most expensive means to generate electric power at utility scale. If nuclear waste management, insurance, and decommissioning costs are counted, actual costs are far higher. (Some of these costs are already socialized for nuclear power – e.g. insurance in the Price-Anderson Act.) The first commercial SMnR is not expected to be completed until 2029, but already its developers have raised the target price of its power by 53%. This is not a surprise; nuclear power construction history documents an extremely strong correlation between new designs and cost increases and project delays. Indeed, the Lazard research shows that nuclear is the ONLY grid-wide generation source to increase in price, 2009-2021. The increase was 36%! **NUCLEAR WASTE, TRANSPORT, AND REPROCESSING** : Nuclear waste and reprocessing are also serious concerns. Make no mistake, unreprocessed nuclear waste, for all practicable purposes, is FOREVER. The fact that we have become accustomed to risk does not, by any means, reduce risk. Nor will SMnRs generate less waste than their larger forebears. Indeed, a recent Stanford University study concluded that “small modular reactors may produce a disproportionately larger amount of nuclear waste than bigger nuclear plants.” Safeguarding this waste is already costing taxpayers and utility customers tens of billions of dollars. With the failure of the U.S. to designate a central storage facility, nuclear power plants are forced to continue to store the waste in pools on site. Yet nuclear waste recycling, known as reprocessing, is no panacea. In November, the Governor spoke in Bristol in support of recycling nuclear waste from SMnRs: “I think the big steps out of the box are the technical capability to deploy in the next 10 years and on top of that to press forward to recycling opportunities for fuel.” He may have had in mind BWX Technologies of Lynchburg, which is beginning reprocessing of uranium at its Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS) plant just south of the Virginia border in Erwin, Tennessee, for nuclear weapons. It took over a decade, but in 1984, Congress finally killed the last proposal to reprocess nuclear waste into nuclear fuel. The reprocessing would have taken place at the Clinch River Breeder Reactor, also south of the Virginia border, near Oak Ridge, TN. The concern then was the potential for accidental highly toxic “spills” of nuclear wastes or purposeful diversion of plutonium into the international weapons market. I recall this clearly because I spoke at a public hearing in Abingdon about the transportation of nuclear waste that would be bound for the Clinch River plant. Transportation of SMnR nuclear wastes along Virginia mountain roads or railroads across the border to Erwin presents further risk of accident and contamination. Longstanding concerns about transportation and security of nuclear wastes have never been adequately addressed. In addition, Princeton University physicist, Frank N. von Hippel reported in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, charged with protecting U.S. citizens from reactor disasters such as Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, or Fukushima, has moved toward offering greater flexibility for a nuclear industry plagued by cost overruns and calls for safety improvements, rather than hewing to its primary responsibility for maintaining safety of nuclear generating facilities and the American people. The Bulletin also reports that, because of longstanding financial troubles experienced by the commercial nuclear power industry, state legislatures are increasingly being asked and are feeling compelled to subsidize nuclear power. Gov. Youngkin’s state energy plan would take Virginia down that road, a road that could be very long. **URANIUM MINING in VIRGINIA?** Because of toxic pollution risks, mining uranium in Virginia is currently prohibited under a moratorium enacted by the General Assembly. Coles Hill in Pittsylvania County contains the largest deposit of uranium in the U.S. Just a month ago, Consolidated Uranium, a Canadian company, announced its purchase of Virginia Energy Resources, which owns Coles Hill. It sounds like those executives think that another run at overturning the mining moratorium might be successful. That this purchase announcement comes so shortly after Youngkin’s announcement of SMnRs in his Virginia Energy Plan feels like more than coincidence. Uranium mining in a wet, eastern location would present a far higher opportunity for contamination than mining that has for years had problems affecting water and public health in the West. We Appalachians know the social and environmental costs of an extractive economy. We should not support any enterprise that forces that kind of exploitation upon our neighbors, especially mining with known, pervasive health, safety and environmental risks. **CORPORATE CRONYISM and POLITICAL BOONDOGGERY** : BWX Technologies of Lynchburg (formerly Babcock and Wilcox) is the nuclear contractor we can anticipate would be charged with Gov. Youngkin’s wish to reprocess nuclear waste into fuel. BWX has been on the ropes for years, since nuclear became so unpopular with utilities in the wake of the Three Mile Island accident. It has managed to stay afloat with military contracts and wants to develop the reactors it builds for subs and aircraft carriers for commercial power production. The SMnRs are its ticket, and Gov. Youngkin is playing both their salesman and the state’s purchasing agent. Some General Assembly members are angling to help their localities and favored industries cash in. #######+++++++#######+++++++######### **SEE ALSO ~** [INFOGRAPHIC: Small Modular Reactors | Department of Energy, 2018](https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/infographic-small-modular-reactors) #######+++++++#######+++++++######### **" Advanced" Isn't Always Better ~ Assessing the Safety, Security, and Environmental Impacts of Non-Light-Water Nuclear Reactors**, Edwin Lyman, March 18, 2021 If nuclear power is to play an expanded role in helping address climate change, newly built reactors must be demonstrably safer and more secure than current generation reactors. Unfortunately, most "advanced" nuclear reactors are anything but. The [Union of Concerned Scientists undertook a comprehensive analysis](https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/advanced-isnt-always-better) of the most prominent and well-funded non-light-water reactor (NLWR) designs. We asked: §- What are the benefits and risks of NLWRs and their fuel cycles ? §- Do the likely overall benefits of NLWRs outweigh the risks and justify the substantial public and private investments needed to commercialize them? §- Can NLWRs be safely and securely commercialized in time to contribute significantly to averting the climate crisis? Based on the available evidence, we found that the NLWR designs we analyzed are not likely to be significantly safer than today’s nuclear plants. In fact, certain alternative reactor designs pose even more safety, proliferation, and environmental risks than the current fleet. URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/02/small-modular-nuclear-reactors- bad-deal-or-terrible-deal/>

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EYES ON THE SHELL ETHANE CRACKER FACILITY IN S.W. PA ~ Zoom 3/1/23
by Frack Check WV: Duane Nichols 01 Mar '23

01 Mar '23

# [EYES ON THE SHELL ETHANE CRACKER FACILITY IN S.W. PA ~ Zoom 3/1/23](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/01/eyes-on-the-shell-ethane- cracker-facility-in-s-w-pa-zoom-3123/) [![](https://www.frackcheckwv.net/wp- content/uploads/2023/03/DCA61B84-F5D4-4F35-B3AD-A12BBD9DA24E-300x206.jpg)](… content/uploads/2023/03/DCA61B84-F5D4-4F35-B3AD-A12BBD9DA24E.jpeg) The Shell Ethane Cracker Facility appears to have challenging performance due to complex startup activities **Eyes on Shell Monthly Meeting, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. March 1, 2023** From the [Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community, Ambridge, PA](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdeGprj8qH9b1ZZrasEDVuwnYVxWpGtX8), 3/1/23 **All of us, no matter where we come from or what we look like, want to live in a safe, healthy environment where our families can thrive. But fossil fuel lobbyists and the politicians they pay for are once again sacrificing our health for their profits. We are coming together as a community to protect our families and hold Shell accountable for the damage they will do to our environment.** Connect with **Eyes On Shell** , and learn more about: -monitoring processes, -expected air contaminants, -water pollution, -health impacts …. Join us to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, and your loved ones from harm. You can be part of the Eyes on Shell watchdog team. If you see, smell, or hear something that doesn’t seem right, let us know. eyesonshell(a)gmail.com ……. (724) 923-3244 Note: By registering for this event you give permission for the organizers to send related emails to you. **Time** ~ [You can choose to attend the following session](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdeGprj8qH9b1ZZrasEDVuwnYVxWpGtX8). ~ Mar 1, 2023 07:30 PM <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdeGprj8qH9b1ZZrasEDVuwnYVxWpGt…> **Our mailing address is:** Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community P.O. Box 31, Ambridge, PA 15003 URL: <https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2023/03/01/eyes-on-the-shell-ethane- cracker-facility-in-s-w-pa-zoom-3123/>

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