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Despite public pushback, West Virginia approves air quality permits for data center energy campus in Mingo County
By Jordan Howes, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy Despite public outcry, state issues air quality permits for two off-grid power plants tied to world’s largest ammonia project A proposal to build […]
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Tourism to Southern WV’s three national park sites contributes 108.4 million to local economy – new report shows a 12% increase over 2023
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve News Release A new National Park Service report shows that 2,080,330 visitors to the three national park sites —New River Gorge National Park […]
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New initiative launched to save five miles along the Gauley River
By Faye Wooden, Arc of Appalachia An organization that is relatively new to West Virginia is working to buy and preserve a 1,336-acre forest tract that will potentially protect 5 […]
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Metallurgical coal: A critical mineral?
By John McFerrin, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy Metallurgical coal is having a moment right now. After years of being just the less common type of coal, it is being elevated […]
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Update on Fundamental Data and the Ridgeline Project
By Luanne McGovern, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy Despite the outpouring of public concern and protest against issuing an air permit to the Ridgeline power plant project, the West Virginia Department of Environmental […]
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A watershed’s new beginning: Restoration and hope for the South Fork Cherry River
By Andrew Young, Staff Attorney for the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance At long last, the coal trucks have fallen silent on Sugartree Bench Mountain at the headwaters of the South Fork […]
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Helen McGinnis leaves West Virginia, but her legacy stays in the Highlands
By John McFerrin, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy Longtime member, leader, and friend Helen McGinnis is leaving West Virginia and moving to Massachusetts to be closer to her family. While the […]
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Remembering Andy Mahler
By Dave Cooper Andy Mahler, of Paoli, Indiana, longtime leader of the regional grassroots forest protection group Heartwood, passed away August 30, 2025, peacefully at his beautiful home place in […]
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EPA does about-face on climate change
By John McFerrin, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy The United States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed that it eliminate most of its authority to regulate greenhouse gases. In 2009, it was […]
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Thoughts from our President
Daylight is getting shorter, the leaves are turning, and the first frosts are already settling into Canaan Valley. Autumn is a season of change, and just as the natural world […]
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