Tag: Energy & Environment

Summer Fire Safety Basics On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, with the summer season in full swing, grills, fireworks and campfires are making a comeback into our lives. Chris Schulz sat down with Mark Lambert, director of the West Virginia University (WVU) Fire Service Extension about some fire safety basics.

On this West Virginia Morning, with the summer season in full swing, grills, fireworks and campfires are making a comeback into our lives. Chris Schulz sat down with Mark Lambert, director of the West Virginia University (WVU) Fire Service Extension about some fire safety basics.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Eric Douglas produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Berkeley County Tornado Marks Sixteenth This Year, Most In W.Va. History

A minor tornado struck the town of Inwood in Berkeley County on Wednesday afternoon, according to a Thursday report from National Weather Service team members.

A minor tornado struck a town in Berkeley County on Wednesday afternoon, according to a Thursday report from the National Weather Service.

The incident brings the total number of tornadoes to hit West Virginia this year to a staggering 16 — the most for one calendar year in the state’s history, with roughly six months still left to go.

The National Weather Service classified Wednesday’s tornado as “weak,” with winds reaching a maximum of 75 miles per hour. The organization classifies tornadoes with winds over 110 miles per hour as “strong,” and winds over 165 miles per hour as “violent.”

Despite the tornado’s minor classification, it still caused damage to a cow pasture and a gutter on the outskirts of Inwood. Its winds also took down tree branches and knocked shingles off of roofs.

The Berkeley County tornado was one of ten to strike the greater Baltimore-Washington D.C. area Wednesday. More severe tornadoes struck central Maryland, with residents suffering structural damage to their homes and some injuries being reported.

Herbicide Contamination And Oil Well Wastewater, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Chris Schulz spoke with a master gardener from Monongalia County about difficulties with this year’s crops — and two plant scientists who say it’s likely the result of herbicide contamination.

On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Chris Schulz spoke with a master gardener from Monongalia County about difficulties with his crops — and two plant scientists who say it’s likely the result of herbicide contamination.

Also in this show, Pittsburgh-based public radio program The Allegheny Front dives into challenges with oil well wastewater being dumped onto local roads.

Plus, Briana Heaney reports that a new study found calls to poison control centers now more often lead to hospitalizations and deaths.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Chris Schulz produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

State To Receive $140 Million From Interior For Abandoned Mines

The U.S. Department of the Interior is making $140 million in AML funds available to West Virginia, the most of any state but Pennsylvania.

West Virginia is eligible for a new round of Abandoned Mine Land (AML) funds.

The U.S. Department of the Interior is making $140 million in AML funds available to West Virginia, the most of any state but Pennsylvania.

A total of 22 states and the Navajo Nation will receive $725 million this fiscal year. In addition to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, are included.

The funds help clean up legacy mining sites, which can be a source of air and water pollution, a safety hazard and a threat to the climate. Abandoned mines release methane, which is a more powerful heat-trapping gas than carbon dioxide.

Projects funded through AML can revive local economies, put displaced miners back to work and create lasting recreational opportunities.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 made a total of $11 billion to address the legacy pollution of abandoned mines and create employment opportunities in coal communities.

The program includes mines that were abandoned before 1977. 

Earlier this week, West Virginia received $28 million from the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program, which aims to stimulate economic development in coal communities.

FEMA Surpasses $1 Million In Aid For Residents Affected By April Storms

FEMA has surpassed $1 million in aid approved for West Virginia residents affected by flooding, landslides and tornadoes in early April. The money will go toward housing, essential needs and more.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $1 million in aid for West Virginia residents and businesses affected by severe weather events in April including flooding, landslides and tornadoes.

Residents and businesses in 11 West Virginia counties affected by the storms — Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne and Wetzel counties, specifically — are eligible for the current round of federal aid through FEMA.

The $1 million in aid will go toward housing assistance, essential needs support and more. The agency announced Wednesday that 756 West Virginia households and businesses have been approved for aid thus far.

Applications for federal aid through FEMA remain open, and a deadline for applications has not yet been announced.

Qualifying residents can apply for aid at disasterassistance.gov, or call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.

Residents can also speak with FEMA representatives in person at disaster recovery centers in Kanawha or Nicholas counties.

Some West Virginia residents whose work was affected by the severe weather may also be eligible to receive unemployment benefits through WorkForce West Virginia. For more information on accessing these benefits, see our previous reporting.

Some residents who lost their jobs or were unable to work due to severe weather in April may be eligible for unemployment benefits through WorkForce West Virginia.

Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Changes To The FAFSA On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, is meant to help students access funds to pursue higher education. But as Chris Schulz reports, recent changes to the federal form have left students and schools scrambling for answers.

On this West Virginia Morning, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, is meant to help students access funds to pursue higher education. But as Chris Schulz reports, recent changes to the federal form have left students and schools scrambling for answers.

Also, in this show, a new federal silica dust rule is about to take effect. Monday, a panel of Black Lung experts expressed hope for the future of young miners — if they’re educated about their rights. Emily Rice has more.

A U.S. Senate committee approved West Virginia’s solicitor general Tuesday to serve as a federal energy regulator. Curtis Tate has the story.

And, new funding for Preston County aims to improve and expand local water access. Jack Walker reports.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Chris Schulz produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

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