Since the end of the 19th century West Virginia’s air, mountains, streams, groundwater, wildlife and people have been at the mercy of the timber, coal, oil and gas, and chemical industries. Now, without even an attempt to utilize the clean, safe, renewable energy of solar, wind, hydro and geothermal, six obtuse West Virginia senators have co-sponsored legislation to allow nuclear power plant construction in West Virginia.
They could have introduced legislation to stop Mountaintop Removal Mining, slurry injection, and sludge ponds. They could have introduced legislation to provide grants, tax credits and other incentives to enable homeowners to purchase solar and wind power systems.
They could have, but they didn’t. Instead they are attempting to repeal the ban on nuclear power plant construction that has been in place since 1996.
West Virginia Environmental Council Comments on SB 240
The bill has been referred to the following committees:
Energy, Industry and Mining
Judiciary
The misguided co-sponsors of SB 240:
Brooks McCabe -D
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7990
E-mail: brooks.mccabe@wvsenate.gov
Dan Foster – D
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7990
E-mail: brooks.mccabe@wvsenate.gov
Robert Plymale - D
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7937
E-mail: plybob@aol.com
Don Caruth – D
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7901
E-mail: don.caruth@wvsenate.gov
Dave Sypolt – R
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7914
E-mail: davesypolt@wvsenate.com
Erik Wells - D (spouse of WV Secretary of State Natalie Tennant)
Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7841
E-mail: erik.wells@wvsenate.gov
In a state that has been repeatedly devastated by timber, oil and gas, and coal companies these legislators now want to open the door to nuclear power. Has any one of these senators thought beyond repealing the ban? What are the consequences of building nuclear power plants in West Virginia? What water sources will the plants be sited on? Where will the waste be disposed of? West Virginia’s abysmal +100 year track record on environmental protection is proof enough that WV government cannot be trusted with nuclear power.
Wednesday evening, WV governor Joe Manchin ended his State of the State address saying "May God save the great State of West Virginia," For once I couldn’t agree with him more.