Tag: Energy & Environment

Utility Bills up 1.2% in 2013 for West Virginia Residents

A new report says West Virginians paid 1.2 percent more for utilities in 2013 than in the previous year, primarily because of increases in natural gas and…

A new report says West Virginians paid 1.2 percent more for utilities in 2013 than in the previous year, primarily because of increases in natural gas and water rates.  
 
     The report released Wednesday by the Public Service Commission’s Consumer Advocate Division says the average West Virginia utility customer paid $280.62 a month for gas, electricity, water and telephone service last year. In 2012, the average monthly cost was $277.22.  
 
     Utility rates ranged from $258.82 in Morgantown to $316.25 in Bluefield.  
 
     Consumer Advocate Division director Jackie Roberts says the increases in natural gas and water rates last year were offset by a decline in electricity rates.
 
     Roberts said rates have increased by 18 percent for water and 7 percent for electricity since 2010. Natural gas rates have fallen 18 percent.

Gov. Tomblin Unaware of Freedom Industries Donations

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says he was unaware he received campaign checks from top executives at the company at the center of West Virginia’s chemical spill.
 
     The Democrat said he found about donations from two Freedom Industries executives from news articles Wednesday morning.
 
     J. Clifford Forrest, who runs Freedom’s parent company, gave Tomblin’s campaign $500 in 2011 and $500 in 2012. Dennis Farrell, another Freedom executive, gave $500 total to Tomblin in 2011.
 
     W.Va. Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito received $500 from Forrest last February for her current US Senate bid. US Sen. Joe Manchin received $1,000 from Forrest for his 2008 run for governor. Both are giving the money to West Virginia charities.
 
     The Freedom donations make up a sliver of the millions of dollars raised for each respective campaign.

Downstream Strategies Pres. Critical of Governor's Proposed Source Water Protection Act

The President of Downstream Strategies is in Charleston presenting his organization’s report on the Elk River chemical spill to lawmakers. Meanwhile,…

The President of Downstream Strategies is in Charleston presenting his organization’s report on the Elk River chemical spill to lawmakers. Meanwhile, lawmakers are debating a proposal from Gov. Tomblin. Hansen is concerned about some aspects of the bill.

Hansen’s concerns involve several aspects of the bill. One aspect of the proposed legislation would require public water systems to present in-depth reports to the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary, about contingency plans should spills occur from tanks, as well as identifying secondary water sources, and management plans. If passed, that information would have to be passed along 90 days after passage. Hansen says that’s a tight deadline.

“In order to write solid plans, that have community support, that integrate information from local elected officials and industry and citizens, it’s going to take community meetings, it’s going to take a long time,” he said.

“I think if these are rushed too fast, they may not be meaningful reports that are going to do any good.”

Hansen is also concerned the legislation is too limited, focusing too much attention on chemical storage tanks above ground, and not other places that might inadvertently contaminate water supplies.

State Sen. John Unger, a Democrat, is also proposing legislation on the issue.

Unger says his bill is more broad than the governor’s bill. His proposal would regulate all above-ground storage tanks.

State Senate Majority Leader: Governor's Bill Shields Chemical Industry

A West Virginia Senate leader thinks the governor’s proposal to prevent chemical spills caters to industry interests.
 

Senate Majority Leader John Unger says Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s bill doesn’t do enough to register and inspect above-ground storage tanks.
 
     Tomblin’s measure responds to Freedom Industries’ Jan. 9 spill, which contaminated the water supply for 300,000 people.
 
     Unger took issue with Tomblin’s bill on Tuesday because it regulates just above-ground tanks deemed too close to a water supply. It also would only regulate sites holding chemicals above a certain risk level.
 
     Unger is proposing regulation of all above-ground tanks.
 
     Unger says all of the state’s water needs to be protected. He says sites far from public water systems need to be regulated, since people in rural areas rely on wells using groundwater.

Downstream Strategies: New Regulations Are Only First Step to Prevent Future Spills

Downstream Strategies President Evan Hansen has worked on a report called "The Freedom Industries Spill: Lessons Learned and Needed Reforms." Hansen says…

Downstream Strategies President Evan Hansen has worked on a report called “The Freedom Industries Spill: Lessons Learned and Needed Reforms.” Hansen says new regulations on storage facilities, like the one involved in the Elk River spill, are only a first step towards prevention.

Hansen also suggests:

  • Additional funding to the state Department of Environmental Protection, to add staff to its enforcement ranks;
  • A harsh tone from the state government on all extraction industries, that lax enforcement and shoddy storage won’t be tolerated,
  • A reformation of the permitting system, which includes holding storage facilities to more stringent permits, that would require public comment.

A copy of this report is now available.

Last 'Do Not Use' Water Restrictions Lifted

 The “do not use” order has been lifted for the last customer area in West Virginia American Water’s Kanawha Valley district. Customers in the Clendenin area may begin flushing according to the established guidelines.
 
Although the online map currently reflects that all areas have  turned blue, customers should  keep in mind that precautionary boil water advisories are in place for several smaller groups of customers throughout the district after water storage tanks were depleted following excessive flushing activities. A list  of boil water advisories currently in effect can be found on line on West Virginia American Water’s website. 
 

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