New Year, New Actions
The OVEC staff and board of directors wish you happiness in the New Year.

Health professionals say happiness can arise from having a sense of purpose for your life’s activities and volunteering for causes you believe in. Defending our water fits both bills. 

Water defenders know that today, January 9, is the 4th anniversary of the #WVWaterCrisis. In a statement issued yesterday, OVEC’s Executive Director Natalie Thompson notes, “The crisis devastatingly underlined these facts: We simply cannot live without clean water, and our economy cannot function without clean water. The crisis underlined how cavalier our elected officials and polluting corporations have been with West Virginia’s most precious resource. The citizen response to the crisis reminded us of the power of organized people; together we can demand changes for a healthier quality of life.”

Tomorrow, January 10, the 2018 West Virginia Legislative Session begins. Natalie says, “You can help defend our water! This year’s Legislative Session begins on January 10. OVEC and other progressive groups plan to have a presence at the Capitol, but let’s be real: we don’t have the same access to politicians as do the industries that donate large sums to political campaigns. So, let’s bring on the people power! Our legislators need to hear from all of us.”

You are invited to join Natalie at the State Capitol. “For anyone who is compelled to stop the momentum of industry persuasion in our state, please plan on joining us for the 60-day Legislative Session as often as you can. I will be there often, and I’d be happy to have you join me. Contact me at natalie@ohvec.org or at the OVEC office, 304-522-0246.”

The WV Environmental Council is also urging you to take action during the Legislative Session, especially on Lobby Tuesdays: How To Get Your Legislator’s Attention in 2018.

If you don’t feel comfortable about lobbying at the State Capitol, don’t worry! Several allied groups are getting together to host free Your Voice WV: Citizen Lobbyist Trainings around the state. Trainings are already set for Morgantown, Lewisburg, Bethany, and Parkersburg, with more to come. 

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January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Program
The Huntington-Cabell NAACP invites you to the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Program. OVEC traditionally takes part; we hope to see you there! 

The march forms at 4:00 p.m. at Elm Street and 9th Avenue in front of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church (1647 9th Ave, Huntington, West Virginia 25703).

The march will begin at 4:30 p.m., proceeding up 9th Avenue to 19th Street, left to 8th Avenue down to Hal Greer Boulevard, under the overpass to 5th Avenue and east to the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

A trolley will be available for those who cannot partake in the walk.

The program is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the Arts Center Lobby following the program. 

Join the event on Facebook here. Help spread the word!

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January 16: Deadline to Comment on Proposed Clean Power Plan Repeal
The Trump Administration’s EPA, led by climate-change-denier Scott Pruitt, is proposing to repeal the Clean Power Plan.

As this EPA notes: “On March 28, 2017, Administrator Pruitt signed a notice indicating the EPA’s intent to review the Clean Power Plan, in accord with the President’s Energy Independence Executive Order. On October 16, the EPA proposed to repeal the Clean Power Plan, proposing that it is not consistent with the Clean Air Act. EPA is now taking comment on that proposal and has extended the public comment period to January 16, 2018.”

Written comments will be accepted until January 16, 2018. Details on how to comment are here.

Here’s an easy online way to comment, too. 

Also: Tell Scott Pruitt: Meet With Scientists, Health Experts and Environmental Advocates, Too!

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Upcoming Events: Get Active

Tonight: Public Health Town Hall in Charleston, WV.

Tonight:  Work In-Progress Screening of Still Life in Charleston, WV,

January 10: WV Legislative Session begins.

January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. March in Huntington, WV.

January 16: First WV Environmental Council Citizen Lobbying Day for 2018, then every Tuesday thereafter until the Session ends.

January 18: E-Council’s Legislative Kick Off Blast, 6-9 p.m. at the Woman’s Club in Charleston.

January 21: Stamp Money Out of Politics Stamp-a-thon OVEC has stamps. Contact us if you want to join a stamp-a-thon.

January 27: Deadline to register to run for office in 2018 in WV. 

January 31: Fossil Free Fast: The Climate Resistance

February 8: All Kinds Are Welcome Here Lobby Day

February 21: Deadline to file a claim in the #WVWaterCrisis/Freedom Industries’ MCHM leak class action lawsuit.

February 23-24: Race Matters Summit 2018: The Time is Now.

March 6: Annual E-Day! at the Capitol (lobbying, tabling, exhibits and more) Save the date!

March 10: Legislative Session ends at midnight.  

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