Governor Morrisey and the Legislature have just told local people it doesn’t matter what we think. The Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, HB 2014 authorizing data centers consuming massive amounts of electric power and water…
https://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_1394052911.jpg5631000Neal Barkushttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngNeal Barkus2025-05-21 18:15:042025-05-23 08:49:33Governor, Legislature Yank Local Control of Data Centers from WV Residents
Being an environmentalist in West Virginia is like being Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. Every morning you wake up and there is a new over-hyped scheme proposed for the economic development of the state that is heavy on the promise of new jobs but light on the details.
https://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/data-center.jpg314600Neal Barkushttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngNeal Barkus2025-03-27 10:57:242025-04-22 10:58:32Legislature Seduced By Economic Possibilities of Large Data Centers
On March 26, 2025, the Senate Natural Resources Committee reported out SB 801. The bill is now in the Government Organization Committee. The purpose of this bill is to ensure public access to the state's rivers and streams for recreational purposes.
SB…
http://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.png00Neal Barkushttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngNeal Barkus2025-03-27 09:37:452025-03-27 09:40:19Safe Public River Access Proposed in Senate Bill
At the moment, West Virginia does not allow ATVs and other motorized recreational vehicles in state parks, with Cabwaylingo State Park being the one exception. West Virginia law prohobits the Department of Natural Resources from establishing…
http://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.png00Neal Barkushttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngNeal Barkus2025-03-22 08:56:092025-03-22 13:42:33Bills Introduced to Permit ATVs and Motorized Vehicles Throughout State Parks and Forests
Flooding is a chronic problem in West Virginia. We know this. The Legislature also knows this. Unfortunately, the Legislature has been unwilling to put any money into the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund to address the flooding problem. Now HB 3502,…
http://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.png00Neal Barkushttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngNeal Barkus2025-03-21 10:19:122025-03-22 09:06:25New Bill Seeks to Fund Flood Emergencies
Veteran watchers of the West Virginia Legislature will have noticed the trend to hide controversial bills behind innocent titles. This is the case with SB 599 introduced by Senator Patricia Rucker from Jefferson County on February 26. The title…
http://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.png00Neal Barkushttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngNeal Barkus2025-03-11 09:20:302025-03-27 09:16:02A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Senator Rucker’s Anti-Science Bill
It is hard enough to get any legislation promoting renewable energy passed in the West Virginia Legislature. But in 2025 there have been several bills introduced by hard-right legislators, the effect of which would be to undermine the development…
http://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.png00Neal Barkushttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngNeal Barkus2025-02-19 14:36:572025-02-19 14:36:57Attacks on Renewables Proliferate at Legislature
The community solar concept allows consumers who cannot install their own solar panels to participate in solar energy generated at a community facility. The concept is operating in many states, but not West Virginia. Bills promoting community…
http://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.png00Neal Barkushttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngNeal Barkus2025-02-19 10:59:052025-02-19 10:59:05Community Solar Bills Introduced in Both House and Senate
Groundwater is a public resource that should not be depleted or used in excessive quantities except for the public good. The West Virginia Legislature has declared that the waters of the state, including groundwater, are valuable public natural resources held by the state for the use and benefit of its citizens.
http://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.png00Conservation West Virginiahttp://www.conservewv.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CWV-logo.pngConservation West Virginia2025-02-03 11:26:422025-02-03 11:38:11Open Letter to the Jefferson County Planning Commission in Opposition to the Mountain Pure Water Bottling Concept Plan
We have all seen the news coverage of the horrific flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina, a small city often touted as protected from the effects of climate change. The truth is that Appalachia, including West Virginia,…
Governor, Legislature Yank Local Control of Data Centers from WV Residents
Legislature Seduced By Economic Possibilities of Large Data Centers
Safe Public River Access Proposed in Senate Bill
Bills Introduced to Permit ATVs and Motorized Vehicles Throughout State Parks and Forests
New Bill Seeks to Fund Flood Emergencies
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Senator Rucker’s Anti-Science Bill
Attacks on Renewables Proliferate at Legislature
Community Solar Bills Introduced in Both House and Senate
Open Letter to the Jefferson County Planning Commission in Opposition to the Mountain Pure Water Bottling Concept Plan
Appalachian Hurricane Flooding Intensified by Climate Change