“Black dust” coming from Amsted Graphite Materials Factory has Anmoore residents concerned in Harrison County.
WV DEP was contacted by many residents, and upon inspection, the WV DEP determined that the “soot” was “calcined petroleum coke fines”.
Read more here at WBOY12↪️
#EarthDay sale 🌎
West Virginia Highlands Conservancy t-shirts are 25% off with promo code EARTHDAY26. Limited colors and sizes available and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Support conservation and wear your love for West Virginia!
Link to shop below! ⤵️
www.wvhighlands.org/apparel/
Did you know West Virginia helped power the first #EarthDay? In 1970, millions rallied for the planet — backed by Wheeling native Walter Reuther.
This Earth Day, let’s honor that legacy and fight for clean air, water and a future worth protecting. 💪🌎
Read the full story below ⤵️
Lawmakers in West Virginia want to deregulate the storage of toxic mining liquids.
SB 641 advanced out of committee yesterday, and the bill is on second reading in the West Virginia Senate today (March 3, 2026). Take action now ↪️
WV's streams hold remarkable biodiversity, including endangered species like the Diamond Darter and the vibrant Candy Darter. At the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery, biologists are raising and restoring imperiled fish to native Appalachian waters. #WorldWildlifeDay
Read more down below
Missed our recent webinar, Industry & Landowner Negotiation 101? The full recording is available on our YouTube channel!
Environmental attorney Jocelyn Phares shares practical guidance on property law basics, eminent domain, and negotiation strategies for landowners facing pressure from industry.
South Fork Coal Company failed to attend the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s hearing to address an array of violations perpetrated by the company. Appalachian Voices reports that the company itself requested the hearing in 2025.
Read more from Appalachian Voices ↪️
🌲🪓 Join the Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards for Crosscut Sawyer Training March 14–15 at Seneca Rocks! Earn Forest Service certification & help clear trails. CPR/First Aid required (class 3/13).
Limited space — join the DSWS first, then register for crosscut training: https://bit.ly/4bdbx91
E-Day 2026 at the West Virginia State Capitol was a powerful day of advocacy for clean air, clean water and environmental justice across the Mountain State. We can’t wait to be back again next year! ✨
Join the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy on March 21 at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge for a screening honoring Helen McGinnis and Dolly Sods Wilderness.
🎥 6 p.m. | Free (donations encouraged)
💬 Q&A with McGinnis
🔗 Register below
https://www.wvhighlands.org/2026/02/13/dolly-sods/
Three West Virginia coal plants receive handouts from the Trump administration.
In the wake of the President being dubbed “The Undisputed King of Coal”, the Trump administration announced $175 million to prop up seven coal plants, including three in West Virginia.
Read more from the Sierra Club ⤵️
The West Virginia Department of Commerce is at it again.
An amendment to HB 4983 was proposed last week in the House of Delegates Energy Committee that would add transparency on data centers water consumption and effects. The DOC opposed the amendment and it died in committee 12-8.
Read more ⤵️
The February edition of The Highlands Voice is out now. This issue covers WV legislative updates on microgrids & data centers, Clean Water Act enforcement, Corridor H, EPA oversight, and Candy Darter restoration — plus board updates and reflections from our President.
Read the full issue below ⬇️
West Virginia lawmakers want data centers, but don’t want their constituents to have a say. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports on lawmakers efforts to decrease transparency concerning data center projects in the state.
Read more ⤵️
Despite lawmakers promises that data centers would provide significant economic growth in the Mountain State, they have now introduced a new tax credit via HB 4013 giving millions in revenue away. Read more from Mountain State Spotlight. ⤵️
Lawmakers in West Virginia vote down an amendment introduce by Rep. Kayla Young (D- Kanawha) to HB 2014 proposing that the Department of Commerce release redacted fillings from businesses wishing to build data centers in the state, Reports Caity Coyne of WV Watch.
Read more. ⤵️
Lawmakers in West Virginia vote down an amendment introduce by Rep. Kayla Young (D- Kanawha) to HB 2014 proposing that the Department of Commerce release redacted fillings from businesses wishing to build data centers in the state, Reports Caity Coyne of WV Watch.
Read more. ⤵️
BREAKING NEWS: The West Virginia Air Quality Board has ruled in favor of the Ridgeline data center and power plant proposed for Tucker County, in spite of local and environmental groups' appeal. The fight is not over, though, donate now to help prevent data center encroachment in West Virginia.
Dolly Sods is more than a destination—it’s a responsibility. Join the Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards and help protect one of the wildest places in Appalachia.
Click the link below for more information and updates on upcoming trainings!
🔗 www.wvhighlands.org/dolly-sods-wilderness-st...
Join us for a free Zoom presentation, Industry & Landowner Negotiation 101, on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2:30 PM.
Environmental law expert Jocelyn Phares covers eminent domain, negotiation tools, and real-world examples.
Link to register below ⤵️
https://secure.everyaction.com/ty3uLRY1o0ad1IVfMvL0Iw2
Decades without clean water in southern WV’s coalfields. Aging coal-era systems, contamination, and disinvestment left families relying on bottled water or roadside springs. A proposed Coalfield Clean Water Act could unlock funding to finally address the crisis.
🔗 https://bit.ly/3LYXZFe
The latest issue of The Highlands Voice is out! 📰
This month: West Virginia’s coalfield water crisis, Corridor H concerns, Clean Water Act rollbacks, solar policy in the 2026 Legislature, conservation easements, and many more important topics.
Read the full edition below ⤵️
“HB 4013 would give major tax cuts to these entities by allowing them to dramatically reduce or even eliminate their state tax liability by deducting most of their costs from their tax bill including capital investments, construction costs, and employee wages.” - WV Center on Budget & Policy
Join us for a free Zoom presentation, Industry & Landowner Negotiation 101, on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2:30 PM.
Environmental law expert Jocelyn Phares covers eminent domain, negotiation tools, and real-world examples.
Link to register below ⤵️
https://secure.everyaction.com/ty3uLRY1o0ad1IVfMvL0Iw2
A proposed data center in Tucker County could cost the local community up to $35M, according to a new report cited by the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Critics warn of environmental harm, water strain, and costs shifted to taxpayers.
Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/49TDQbE
"...why are we pouring over $500 million dollars into this road," said Miller, "when there are bridges and roads failing all across the state?"
Olivia Miller - WVHC, was responding to the Federal Highway Adminstration's Finding Of No Significant Impact for the Wardensville segment of Corridor H.
A family farm held since 1848. A trout stream turned sulfur-yellow after Corridor H blasting ruptured a coal seam beneath it. Linda Durrett’s story shows how “progress” without accountability can leave permanent scars on land and water.
Full story below ⤵️
New voices, shared values. 🌲 Meet Scott Durham, Cameron Layne, and Jocelyn Phares— WVHC’s newest board members. All from different backgrounds, they’re united by a love for WV’s wild places and a commitment to protecting them.
Read the full Q&A down below ⤵️
Happy holidays from our team here at the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy! ✨🎁
Our work would not be possible without each and every one of you. Cheers to another fantastic year of conservation, community, and protecting our Highlands. Now onto 2026! 💪
