The sun is actually shining, and the horses are rolling around in the field. I know we will have more winter weather, but right now it is lovely and a big change from the ice and snow! That does it for the weather report–let’s get down to facts!
The West Virginia Legislative session will be over by the time this letter is shared. Many bad bills have gone forward, but some have been stopped by our intrepid lobbyists and legislative team. The official adjournment of the legislative session is March 14 – we are in the home stretch!
The lack of clean water in southern West Virginia continues to be a major problem with no adequate solution in sight, so we will be continuing updates on that issue.
The microgrid/data center continues to be a major thorn in everyone’s side (or almost everyone). The appeal to the WV Department of Environmental Protection Air Quality Board (the WVHC appealed the decision to grant the permit for the microgrid to Fundamental Data) was denied, although we had many solid grounds. The next step will be the West Virginia Supreme Court; a notice has been filed, and the brief will follow. So, we need your continued support on this; the appeal is going to take a long time and a lot of resources. There is a bill pending in the legislature that would make all data center/microgrid applications confidential and not available to the public.
Many other things are on our minds and our agendas, but let’s pivot to things to look forward to:
On March 28, the Conservancy and the Friends of the 500th will be screening two films about women in conservation. The premiere showing is scheduled for March 21, at the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge, which is now sold out, so the March 28 screening is the next available! There will also be a screening in Morgantown, WV, on April 1 at WVU’s Media Innovation Center.
“Dolly Sods: the Legacy of Helen McGinnis” is a short film featuring Helen McGinnis, a woman who was instrumental in obtaining wilderness status for Dolly Sods. She will be there for discussion following the screening. The second feature screening of the event is “Mother Daughter Earth,” a film by Julia Huffman about her mother, Beth Little, who was a very active past member of the WVHC. Both are worth seeing, so please look at our website and social media and reserve your seat at the available screenings. Tickets are free, but donations are encouraged. I hope to see you there!
See you in the Highlands,
Marilyn Shoenfeld
President
West Virginia Highlands Conservancy