Carbon dioxide and methane are accumulating in the Earth’s atmosphere exponentially!
From the Letter to the Editor by Jim Kotcon, Morgantown Dominion Post, February 19, 2023
West Virginia legislators are adopting one taxpayer rip-off after another. For example, bills to subsidize uncompetitive coal companies or power plants are moving quickly (e.g., HB 3133).
Nuclear power, the most expensive way to generate electricity, seems to be targeted for West Virginia. (HB 2896 allows radioactive waste dumps in West Virginia.)
Bills to encourage a hydrogen hub are also being adopted. Building carbon capture and sequestration may make sense for biofuels, but it only throws good money after bad when trying to prolong fossil fuels (SB 162).
If any of these had a legitimate role in combating climate change, I might be more supportive, but there is simply no way they will make a meaningful impact.
There are better options. A report last month from Energy Innovation and University of California, Berkeley shows that building renewable energy such as wind or solar will generate electricity more cheaply than operating any existing power plant in West Virginia.
Instead of gouging ratepayers or ripping off taxpayers, our political leaders should invest in the cheapest, cleanest, safest and fastest alternatives first. Why should we continue to subsidize the dirtiest and most expensive alternatives?
If the free market has spoken, why are our political leaders so intent on subsidizing dinosaurs and ripping off the taxpayers?
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NOTE: You are invited to E-Day at the West Virginia State Capitol Building on February 28th from 9 am to 2 pm. WV Environmental Council.
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ALERT ~ TAKE ACTION TODAY: support community solar in WV!
Introduced in the Senate last week, SB 627 creates a community solar program where individuals, businesses, and organizations can purchase or subscribe to a “share” in a locally-sited solar panel array and use credits against their electric utility costs. This bill can lower energy costs, create jobs, and promote energy freedom in our state.
Community solar offers the benefit of solar to those who can’t, or prefer not to, install solar panels on their own homes. Currently, 22 states have enabled community solar programs. It’s time for West Virginia to expand access to solar.
We urge you to take action TODAY and let West Virginia lawmakers know we must expand affordable energy options by enabling community solar programs. Please contact the Senate Government Organization Committee TODAY and tell them to support and co-sponsor community solar in West Virginia. The committee meets tomorrow, so urgent action is needed now!
Call to Action: Email Senators on the Senate Government Organization Committee
Email: jason.barrett@wvsenate.gov, bill.hamilton@wvsenate.gov, mark.hunt@wvsenate.gov, glenn.jeffries@wvsenate.gov, mike.maroney@wvsenate.gov, rupie.phillips@wvsenate.gov, ben.queen@wvsenate.gov, randy.smith@wvsenate.gov, mike.stuart@wvsenate.gov, chandler.swope@wvsenate.gov, ryan.weld@wvsenate.gov, mike.woelfel@wvsenate.gov, jack.woodrum@wvsenate.gov
Subject: Please Support and Co-Sponsor Community Solar Today!
Dear Members of the Senate Government Organization Committee,
Please support and co-sponsor community solar programs in West Virginia! A bill in your Committee, SB 627, would give more families access to affordable energy by establishing community solar programs.
Community solar offers the benefit of solar to those who can’t, or prefer not to, install solar panels on their homes. These projects enable individuals, businesses, or organizations to purchase or subscribe to a “share” in a community solar project. Individuals can receive a credit on their monthly electricity bill by purchasing a share.
Currently, 22 states have enabled community solar programs. It’s time for West Virginia to expand access to solar.
Community solar could save subscribers millions of dollars annually and create jobs in the state. A competitive and well-structured program would increase energy freedom and boost our state’s economy.
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Calls are most effective! Please call these committee members and let them know you want energy freedom.
Senator Jack Woodrum (Chair): (304) 357-7849
Senator Jason Barrett (Vice Chair): (304) 357-7933
Senator Bill Hamilton: (304) 357-7906
Senator Bill Hunt: (304) 357-7841
Senator Glen Jeffries: (304) 357-7866
Senator Mike Maroney: (304) 357-7902
Senator Rupie Phillips: (304) 357-7857
Senator Ben Queen: (304) 357-7904
Senator Randy Smith: (304) 357-7995
Senator Mike Stuart: (304) 357-7939
Senator Chandler Swope: (304) 357-7843
Senator Ryan Weld: (304) 357-7984
Senator Mike Woelfel: (304) 357-7956
Thank you!
West Virginia Environmental Council
P.O. Box 1007, Charleston, WV 25324
info@wvecouncil.org (304) 414-0143