Last week, our team gathered at Twin Falls State Park for our quarterly staff meeting. We left Wyoming County refocused and recommitted to our mission of protecting West Virginia’s water and communities.

This November, we have an opportunity to put those plans into action. There are 12 upcoming public meetings where we can send the message that West Virginians look out for our water and each other. However, we can’t do this alone. We need you.

From cleaning up the impacts of legacy fossil fuel pollution to preventing future impacts, these upcoming open houses and public meetings are critical moments to voice our desires for a future where the health of our environment and communities is a top priority. Please check your calendars and see where you can attend or help spread the word:

• West Virginia Open House for Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2): ARCH2 uses methane gas to produce hydrogen — join us in urging the Department of Energy to protect communities near extraction and disposal sites.
  • Date: November 7 from 6:00–9:00 PM
  • Location: Wilson University Union, West Virginia State University, Dunbar, WV
• WV American Water Lunch & Learn Webinar on Source Water Protection Planning: Join us for a public webinar with WV American Water to learn how we can safeguard drinking water sources, with details specific to the Bluefield, Bluestone, Gassaway, New River, and Kanawha Valley water systems.
  • Date: November 7 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Virtual – Join Zoom
• EPA Public Meeting on Fairmont Brine Facility: Join us in Fairmont for a conversation with EPA officials about how we can protect our communities from radioactive fracking waste. Learn about the history of the facility here.
  • Date: November 14 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: 416 Adams St, Fairmont, WV
• USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service Wolf Creek Dam Project Scoping Meeting: Attend to discuss the future of the Wolf Creek Dam and ways to restore water quality, fish passage, and recreation opportunities in Fayetteville.
  • Date: November 14 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
  • Location: Fayetteville Town Hall, Fayetteville, WV
• WV DEP Meetings on Methane Emissions Reduction Program: Join us to help shape how WVDEP will prioritize capping idle and low producing oil and gas wells to reduce methane emissions and protect our communities.
  • November 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Location: Coopers Rock Training Room, WVDEP Headquarters, Charleston, WV (Virtual option available here, or dial: 1 513-818-1632 PIN: 720 946 805 #)
  • November 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Location: Kingmont Community Room, Pleasant Valley, WV
  • November 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. | Location: Conference Room, North Bend State Park, Cairo, WV
• WV DEP Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation Planning Meetings: Participate in this meeting with WVDEP to learn about and support reclamation projects that address the hazards left by abandoned coal mines.
  • November 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Fairmont (1000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV  26554, Suite 3220)
  • November 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Charleston (601 57th Street, SE, Charleston, WV 25304)
  • November 20 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Fayetteville (1159 Nick Rahall Greenway, Fayetteville, WV 25840)
  • November 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Fairmont (1000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV  26554, Suite 3220)

Please let us know if you plan to attend these meetings by replying directly to this email. Let’s make sure our coalition advocates for clean water and healthy communities!

See you there,

All of us at West Virginia Rivers Coalition