GOOD STUFF:

HB 2725: Relating to funding for the DEP Office of Oil and Gas by establishing an annual fee per well that would fully fund the Office. In House Energy and Manufacturing Committee.

SB 404: Modifying well work permits issued by DEP Office of Oil and Gas. This bill would help to partially fund the Office of Oil & Gas. Passed Senate; on 3rd reading in House of Delegates, expected to pass.

And, mark your calendar now: Join us March 24 for Lunchtime Chat & Chew with OVEC.

URGENT ACTION: The WV Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled an online “informal conference” (permit hearing) to hear objections to the proposed 1,085-acre (1.7 square mile) “Turkeyfoot” permit on Coal River Mountain. The hearing is today, Thursday, March 18, at 4 p.m. at at https://apps.dep.wv.gov/meet/S301419. You may need to download an app to log in to the conference; you may do that now to prevent delay logging in. For more information check out click here.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) is seeking a revision to Ohio law that would allow for the automatic extension of air permits-to-install (PTI) for major polluting facilities, potentially threatening local air quality and eliminating opportunities for public input. Click here to demand the US EPA deny the OEPA’s request to allow for the indefinite extension of those permits.

And some updates from WV Rivers Coalition: 

• HB 2382: WVDEP rules bundle, including revisions to water quality standards that would allow for more chemical toxins in our water. Learn more. Passed House of Delegates; in the Senate Judiciary Committee – Contact members of the Committee now! 

• FHB 2598: Exempts certain oil and gas storage tanks from the Aboveground Storage Tank Act (ASTA). This bill would exempt around 880 storage tanks close to drinking water intakes from regular inspections under the ASTA, putting our drinking water at risk. Learn more. Passed the House of Delegates; in Senate Judiciary Committee. Contact members of the Committee. 

• SB 30: Permitting third-party ownership of renewable and alternative energy generating facilities. Learn more from our friends at Solar United Neighbors. In Senate Economic Development Committee.

Income tax nightmare ongoing: W.Va. Gov. Wants A Population Boom And A Disney Theme Park. His Plan? Income Tax Cuts