Moms are working in West Virginia to fight for clean air and a stable climate. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for mothers to talk to their legislators about their concerns. Please join us in West Virginia, and let us know about your priorities.
What We’re Working On
Tell the Department of Defense: WV Families Don’t Want PFAS Incineration
The Pentagon wants to burn toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” at a hazardous waste incineration plant in East Liverpool—threatening the health of families in Ohio and neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia. But it's not yet a done deal. Moms in the Ohio River Valley are speaking out against toxic air pollution in our region.
Tell Governor Morrisey and the WVDEP: Protect Our Families From Polluting Facilities
West Virginia Moms are working to curtail the buildout of plastics facilities in the Ohio River Valley while also advocating for community health protections from existing petrochemical operations. We are currently calling on Governor Morrisey and the Department of Environmental Protection to stop petrochemical expansion and all its harmful pollution.
Meet Your West Virginia State Organizer
Lani Wean
Lani Wean is Moms’ West Virginia Field Organizer. She has a bachelor's degree in public health and experience in labor rights, reproductive health, and climate action organizing. Lani works to address environmental concerns such as petrochemical pollution and plastics pyrolysis, or burning plastic trash, producing toxic waste and air pollution.
Pictured: Lani Wean
Highlights
- West Virginia Moms spread the word about the dangers of plastic pollution. In June 2025, Moms gathered at the Shepherdstown Opera House to watch Single-Use Planet, a documentary that explores connections between public health, plastics production, and industry influence on government policy to answer the questions, Why is there so much plastic, and what can we do about it?
- Moms rally against dirty hydrogen development in our West Virginia communities. The Appalachian hydrogen hub, also known as ARCH2, will bring more fracking and petrochemical pollution, along with dangerous new pipelines, to our communities. In November 2024, Moms’ Candi Hurst joined our partners for a rally at West Virginia State University during an ARCH2 project developers’ meeting to stop this project in its tracks.
- Moms unpack how “advanced recycling,” a.k.a. burning plastic, endangers communities in West Virginia. In June 2024, West Virginia moms hosted a virtual panel discussion featuring frontline advocates about what “advanced recycling” actually is, what “advanced recycling” facilities have been proposed for West Virginia, and how communities can take action to protect children and families “advanced recycling” pollution.
- West Virginia Moms speak at EPA hearing to demand a ban on vinyl chloride. EPA is reviewing the toxic petrochemical vinyl chloride—a known human carcinogen used to make PVC plastic—for regulatory action under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Moms’ Lucia Valentine spoke out at the hearing in February 2024 to demand this harmful chemical be designated a high priority substance and ultimately banned.
- West Virginia Moms call for a fee on methane emissions. In February 2024, Lucia Valentine joined other Moms from across the country to testify at EPA’s hearing about the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP), which includes a commonsense fee on the largest oil and gas operators if they exceed the federal methane standard. Read her testimony.
- West Virginia moms join EPA to celebrate Wirt County electric school bus award. In September 2023, Moms’ Lucia Valentine, EPA Region 3, and Matheny Motors gathered for a press event to celebrate Wirt County Schools’ new electric bus, funded by EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Watch the replay.
Events and Resources in West Virginia
Why We Care
West Virginia produces 14% of coal in the U.S., and 89% of our electricity generation is powered by coal. But we have the potential to move toward clean energy—especially solar. Many experts even encourage transforming former mine sites into solar projects. West Virginia Moms are working to build a clean energy future to protect our families’ health.
Because of our abundant natural gas, West Virginia is being targeted for a huge buildout of plastics facilities along the Ohio River Valley. This buildout is expected to rival industrial development along the Mississippi River in Louisiana. With this plastics infrastructure inevitably comes air pollution that harms our health and makes climate change worse. Moms across West Virginia are joining together to fight this development.
Flash floods are endangering our communities. From 2019 to 2023, there were 380 flash floods in West Virginia—that’s one every 4.8 days! Climate change will only increase this danger to our families.
Past Events
October 2025
On October 18, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer tabled at an Empire Diversified event.
June 2025
On June 5, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Candi Hurst hosted a screening of “Single Use Plastic” in Sheperdstown.
May 2025
On May 18, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer tabled at Earth Fest in Wheeling.
On May 6, for World Asthma Day, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia dropped off postcards in support of Clean School Bus program to local congressional offices.
On May 3, 2025, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Candi Hurst hosted a table at Earth Fest 2025 in Shepherdstown.
February 2025
On February 1, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Candi Hurst tabled at the WV Homeschool conference.
November 2024
On November 7, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Candi Hurst spoke at an ARCH2 rally in Charleston, West Virginia, on the need for community input and the concerns of petrochemicals as part of the Hydrogen Hub.
June 2024
On June 7, West Virginia Moms hosted an Advanced Recycling webinar focused on the Clean Seas and Empire facilities.
April 2024
On April 27, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine tabled at the Morgan’s Grove Earth Day Festival.
February 2024
On February 20, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine gave comments about the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) prioritization review on vinyl chloride. Read her testimony.
On February 13, a Moms Clean Air Force Supermom hosted a table at Environmental Day at the West Virginia State Capitol.
On February 12, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine joined other Moms from across the country in testifying at the EPA’s Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) hearing. Read her testimony.
January 2024
On January 11, Lucia Valentine spoke at an EPA Region 3 Clean School Bus 2023 Rebate Webinar.
September 2023
On September 30, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine joined West Virginia Electric Auto Association at the Electric Vehicle Show in South Charleston for National Drive Electric Week.
On September 14, Moms Clean Air Force joined EPA Region 3, Matheny Motors, and our partners to celebrate the awarding of an electric school bus to Wirt County School District. The purchase of this bus was funded with money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean School Bus (CSB) rebate program. Watch the replay.
August 2023
On August 15, Moms Clean Air Force joined PennEnvironment and our partners in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, for a webinar about EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. Our panel of national experts shared information about the innovative technology behind electric school buses, the health benefits of this technology—and ways local school districts can tap into Clean School Bus Program funds. Watch the replay.
June 2023
On June 13–15, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine joined more than 70 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 22 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for carbon pollution from power plants. Read Lucia’s testimony here.
May 2023
On May 16, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine gave testimony at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for pollution from chemical manufacturing facilities. Read Lucia’s testimony here.
On May 9, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 16 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for pollution from cars and trucks. Read Lucia’s testimony here.
On May 9, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 15 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on the proposal to strengthen the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Read Lucia’s testimony here.
On May 2, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 18 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for greenhouse gas pollution from heavy-duty trucks. Read Lucia’s testimony here.
April 2023
On April 22, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine hosted a table at Elks Run WaterFaire Earth Day 2023 at Sam Michaels Park in Harpers Ferry.
On April 6, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer attended a community meeting in Follansbee, West Virginia, held by Ohio River Valley Environmental Advocates. Rachel shared concerns over a proposed pyrolysis facility planned for the area.
March 2023
On March 9, Moms Clean Air Force showed up in force for the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing about the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. No one from the community was invited to testify at the hearing, so three Moms members from East Palestine came to put a face to the disaster. Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Louisiana, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, also attended. Watch our Moms in action.
On March 2, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine attended a public meeting hosted by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Air Quality to provide information and answer questions on its Ethylene Oxide Monitoring Report.
February 2023
On February 28, Moms Clean Air Force participated in Environmental Advocacy Day at the West Virginia State Capitol.
In February, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine and a volunteer from Shepherdstown joined more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members across the country to testify at the EPA hearing on proposed federal standards for soot pollution. Read Lucia’s testimony here.
On February 14, Moms Clean Air Force partnered with Our Future WV and People Concerned About Chemical Safety to deliver Valentines to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. We worked to collect messages from West Virginians asking why they love our beautiful state and want clean air.
On February 6, West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine ran into Senator Shelley Moore Capito at the State Capitol. Lucia shared Moms work on PFAS and thanked the Senator for her federal work on toxic “forever” chemicals.
West Virginia state coordinator Lucia Valentine ran into Governor Jim Justice at the State Capitol in early February. She took the opportunity to let him know Moms Clean Air Force is fighting for environmental protections across the Mountain State.
January 2023
On January 30, Moms Clean Air Force joined the West Virginia Electric Auto Association for a ribbon cutting ceremony for two new electric chargers at the Shepherdstown Library.
On January 10, 11, and 12, more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 21 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its updated proposal to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations. Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine and Supermom Karen Valentine offered testimony. Read Lucia’s testimony here.
On January 9, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine provided testimony about the Title V operating permit renewal for the Union Carbide Corporation Institute before the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. In her testimony, she cited public health and environmental concerns regarding the ethylene oxide emissions from UCC’s operation in Dunbar. Read her testimony here.
December 2022
On December 14, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio River Valley coordinator Rachel Meyer gave comment about a proposed medical waste pyrolysis facility in Follansbee during a West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection public meeting. Her comments focused on the health impacts of pollution from this facility on children.
October 2022
On October 15, Moms Clean Air Force had a table at Family Fun Day hosted by Eastern Panhandle Green Coalition at Evitts Run Park in Charles Town.
On October 9, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine attended the Shepherdstown Farmers Market to spread the word about the 2022 midterm elections.
September 2022
On September 28, West Virginia state coordinator Lucia Valentine joined Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from across the country to speak out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its proposed Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention rule, which will better protect the health and safety of communities vulnerable to chemical disasters by strengthening existing safeguards and introducing new ones. Read Lucia’s testimony HERE.
On September 21, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine gave a presentation for the WV Climate Change Professional Development Fall 2022 webinar series. She spoke about how to mobilize families to reduce air pollution, fight climate change, and improve health of our children.
August 2022
On August 30, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the GreenPower Motor Company Facility in South Charleston.
On August 5, Moms Clean Air Force visited Senator Joe Manchin’s office to show our support for the Inflation Reduction Act, ahead of the Senate vote.
July 2022
On July 6, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners outside the Supreme Court to protest the Court’s decision to constrain EPA’s authority to limit climate-harming pollution from power plants. Lucia Valentine, Moms’ West Virginia coordinator, opened the program with an acapella rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” National Field Manager Elizabeth Brandt and her daughter Valencia spoke about the threat of climate change to children. They called on EPA to get to work creating federal standards to limit climate pollution and on the Senate to pass commonsense investments in climate solutions.
June 2022
On June 30, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners on the Supreme Court steps for an emergency rally in response to that morning’s decision to constrain EPA’s authority to limit climate-harming pollution from power plants. National Field Manager Elizabeth Brandt and West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine spoke at the event, calling on President Biden and Congress to take immediate action to address the climate crisis.
On June 26, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine joined a gathering of music, discussion, and action on faith and the climate crisis at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Parish in Morgantown. Lucia performed a few songs for the gathering and participated in a panel discussion with parishioner Charles DiSalvo and Fr. Rich McCouch, Director of the Appalachian Institute at Wheeling University.
On June 20, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and West Virginia Rivers Coalition for a Jammin’ for Jobs & Justice at East Marion Park in Fairmont, West Virginia, Senator Manchin’s hometown. The event featured local music acts and speakers who urged Congress to pass commonsense climate investments before the summer ends.
On June 15, Moms Clean Air Force joined GreenPower Motor Company and the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) for an electric school bus demonstration at the US Capitol. Several federal and state legislators, including Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV) and West Virginia State Delegates Paul Espinosa and Christopher Toney, gave remarks at the event, along with Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Elizabeth Brandt and West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine.
On June 2, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine joined women from across the Mountain State to share stories and photographs highlighting ways that the commonsense climate investments in Congress’s budget reconciliation package will improve their quality of life. Watch the replay.
April 2022
On April 26, Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres joined EDF and Defend Our Future to celebrate “A Vital Earth for Everyone” with WaWa Gatheru, founder of Black Girl Environmentalist. The event highlighted and celebrated the progress we’ve seen happen over the last year against climate change and the opportunity we have in this “Climate Moment” for our leaders to get serious about climate change and the transition to clean energy. Panelists included Almeta Cooper (National Field Manager, Moms Clean Air Force), Carolina Peña (Project Manager, EcoMadres), Jay Knott (Executive VP and Chief Administrative Officer, EDF), and Kyli Wagner (Senior Manager, Defend Our Future). The program also included music from Lucia Valentine (West Virginia coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force) and poetry by Emely Rodriguez. Watch the replay.
On April 21, West Virginia state coordinator Lucia Valentine participated in a panel discussion titled Environmental Action: A Grassroots Perspective at West Virginia Wesleyan University. She and her fellow panelists, including West Virginia Rivers’ Morgan King and Citizens Climate Lobby’s Mark Tabbert, talked about national, state, and local efforts to stop climate change and protect our environment.
On April 12, 13, and 14, dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 18 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its proposal to clean up tailpipe pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses. Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine offered testimony. Read Lucia’s full testimony HERE.
February 2022
On February 28, moms and kids from DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia joined more than 200 advocates outside the Supreme Court on February 28 to defend the Clean Air Act, as the US Supreme Court convened to hear oral arguments in the landmark case, West Virginia v. EPA. Lucia Valentine, Moms Clean Air Force’s West Virginia coordinator, and her dad, Dominic, opened the rally with a few folk tunes. DC EcoMadre Daniella Ochoa and her son Martin shared their support for strong EPA action on climate and urged the Supreme Court to protect the Clean Air Act. They were joined by students, doctors, and US Congresswoman Kathy Castor, chair of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
On February 24, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 15 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing on its proposal to restore the appropriate and necessary finding of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine offered testimony. Read Lucia’s testimony HERE.
On Valentine’s Day, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine joined Morgan King with West Virginia Rivers Coalition to deliver 75 handmade Valentines from constituents to Senator Joe Manchin. Each Valentine included a unique message about why we love West Virginia and why we want climate action.
January 2022
On January 17, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia coordinator Lucia Valentine gave a presentation about climate advocacy to students at the University of Charleston.
December 2021
On December 16, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine joined Delegate Jim Barach, Delegate Kayla Young, and Fred Albert, president of American Federation of Teachers West Virginia, at the West Virginia State Capitol for a press conference in support of the Build Back Better Act. Watch the replay.
On December 15, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine and Morgan King, Climate Campaign Coordinator for the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, delivered Christmas cards to Senator Joe Manchin’s office in Charleston. Our message: Support the Build Back Better Act!
Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia joined 38 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s 3-day public hearing about the proposed rule to cut methane and other harmful air pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations in November and December 2021. Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine offered testimony. Read Lucia’s full testimony here.
November 2021
On November 30, West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine premiered her original song “We Are One.” The song asks West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin to take action on climate to safeguard our children’s future. Watch the replay.
On November 30, West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine gave testimony on West Virginia’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan before the Department of Environmental Protection. Read her testimony here.
September 2021
On September 28, Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and West Virginia joined the Clean Vehicles Coalition to deliver comments on EPA’s rulemaking on near-term greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks to Administrator Michael Regan.
On September 28, Moms Clean Air Force staff, including Georgia organizer Almeta Cooper, West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine, Program Coordinator Hailey Duncan, and Field and Special Projects Manager Elizabeth Brandt (along with her two children), joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi for a press conference on the importance of climate action at the Capitol. Watch the replay.
On September 21, West Virginia moms participated in the Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Lobby Day. Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine met with Senator Joe Manchin’s staff to advocate for important Black maternal health provisions in the Build Back Better Act, including programs specifically focused on easing the impacts of climate change on Black mothers and babies.
On September 9, Moms Clean Air Force joined West Virginia elected officials and labor and clean transportation advocates to say it’s time to address extreme weather and invest in clean energy. West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine spoke at the event, along with Huntington Mayor Stephen T. Williams, Delegate Jim Barach (D – Kanawha, 36), Delegate Sean Hornbuckle (D – Cabell, 16), and IBEW Local 317’s Skip Bailey. Watch the replay.
On September 2, Moms Clean Air Force joined the BlueGreen Alliance to host a press conference in Shepherdstown to call on West Virginia’s federal leaders to push for a transition to cleaner, zero-pollution vehicles. Delegate John Doyle, Harpers Ferry Town Council Member Chris Craig, Eastern Panhandle Central Labor Council Member JB Christensen, West Virginia Electric Auto Association’s Robert Fernatt, and the Eastern Panhandle Green Coalition’s Morgan Sell joined Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia Organizer Lucia Valentine in calling for bold federal incentives for electric vehicles and support for EV advanced manufacturing. Watch the replay.
August 2021
On August 25, West Virginia organizer Lucia Valentine joined more than 30 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing about strengthening near-term greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks.
On August 24, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia joined Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, and leading environmental and policy experts in West Virginia for a virtual public forum on climate, jobs, and justice.
On August 12, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia hosted an electric bus press event at Criel Mound in Charleston. The event was part of Moms’ nationwide Let’s Get Rolling Tour, calling for federal funding to help localities upgrade old school and transit buses with better technology to reduce our communities’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution. Watch the replay.
July 2021
On July 28, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia hosted an electric bus press event at City Hall in Morgantown. The event was part of Moms’ nationwide Let’s Get Rolling Tour, calling for federal funding to help localities upgrade old school and transit buses with better technology to reduce our communities’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution. Watch the replay.
On July 13, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia field organizer Leah Barbor traveled to Washington, DC, with leaders from across West Virginia to urge Congress to Act on Climate. Together, these West Virginia leaders endorsed a strong American Jobs Plan with bold investments in climate solutions, including achieving a 100% clean grid, powered by renewable sources like wind and solar, by 2035.
June 2021
West Virginia moms joined Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from across the country to participate in EPA’s listening sessions on its upcoming oil and natural gas methane rule. West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor offered testimony. Read Leah’s testimony.
On June 2, West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor joined more than 40 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 16 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s first climate-related public hearing since President Biden took office. The hearing was about EPA’s proposal to restore long-standing state authority to protect residents from climate pollution from cars.
May 2021
On May 7, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor attended a tour of Revolt Energy’s large-scale solar installation at Nitro Construction Services in Nitro, West Virginia.
April 2021
On Earth Day, Moms Clean Air Force joined the West Virginia Climate Alliance for a roundtable discussion about actions and policies they are pursuing to confront climate change and encourage alternative energy development. Watch the replay.
On April 18, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia joined our partners at Corazón Latino and the West Virginia Climate Alliance for a virtual Earth Week celebration. The program included reflections from West Virginia leaders on the current historic opportunity for climate action and special musical performances by Fletcher’s Grove and The Lords of Lester. Watch the replay.
March 2021
On March 20, West Virginia moms joined Corazon Latino and Redescubre El Yunque to celebrate International Day of Forests with yogi Aly MacLatchy. Watch the replay.
January 2021
On January 28, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia field organizer Leah Barbor hosted a Green the New Year yoga event for the whole family. Watch the replay.
On January 9, Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia field organizer Leah Barbor moderated a West Virginia–focused panel discussion to reflect on the five years since the negotiation of the Paris Climate Agreement. The event included a special musical performance by Julie Adams, Josh Barrett, and Ron Sowell. Watch the replay.
December 2020
In December, members of Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia met with their members of Congress to encourage bold climate action in 2021. West Virginia parents had meetings with Sen. Joe Manchin and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
September 2020
On September 30, Moms Clean Air Force Ohio organizer Tracy Sabetta, Pennsylvania organizer Vanessa Lynch, and West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor sat down to discuss energy policy in their states and ways moms are working to ensure climate safety for our children. Watch the video here.
On September 29, Moms Clean Air Force chapters in DC, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia hosted watch parties for the first presidential debate. After receiving hundreds of emails and tweets from our members, debate moderator Chris Wallace strayed from the planned debate topics and spent 10 minutes questioning the candidates about their climate policy. It was the first time a debate moderator had asked a question about climate change during a presidential debate in 12 years.
On September 21, West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor participated in the virtual press conference announcing the release of A Citizen’s Guide to Climate Change. The guide, written by Moms Clean Air Force and 10 partner organizations, is a resource for educating West Virginians on the causes of climate change and providing commonsense solutions that center around environmental justice and a just transition to clean energy for impacted workers and frontline communities.
West Virginia Moms joined Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to testify in EPA’s virtual hearing on its proposal to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ground-Level Ozone. West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor urged EPA to follow the science and strengthen the existing rule.
July 2020
On July 10, West Virginia Moms met at Greenbrier State Forest for a socially distanced walk and conversation about local climate issues and ways we can reimagine a new normal based on what we’ve learned during the pandemic.
June 2020
As part of their weekly Moms Read for Our Future series, Pennsylvania field organizer Vanessa Lynch and West Virginia field organizer Leah Barbor hosted an online reading of Energy Island by Allan Drummond. Watch the story and activity.
May 2020
West Virginia Moms joined Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to testify in the EPA’s virtual hearing on its proposal to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter. West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor testified in favor of following science and strengthening the existing rule.
April 2020
Field organizer Leah Barbor participated in a virtual town hall with Senator Joe Manchin, asking how he planned to hold EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler accountable for stripping environmental safeguards and setting Americans up for increasing public health vulnerabilities in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
February 2020
West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor attended a town hall with Senator Joe Manchin in Huntington, West Virginia.
On February 18, West Virginia organizer Leah Barbor attended a Climate Mayor Meeting with Mayor McCauley of Buckhannon.
Moms Clean Air Force West Virginia hosted a Creation Care Prayer Breakfast with Del. Danielle Walker, West Virginia Interfaith Power and Light, West Virginia Council of Churches, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, and Christians for the Mountains in Charleston.
Members of Moms Clean Air Force from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and DC, testified at the Washington, DC, public hearing on the rollback the National Environmental Policy Act. Moms spoke out against the White House’s plan to weaken this important safeguard. Read more here.
January 2020
Field organizer Leah Barbor hosted a Communing for Climate house party.
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New Map Shines Light on Communities Most At-Risk From Toxic Air Pollution
Extreme Living: Climate Disruption Stories From Moms Coping With Flooding
Life Under Threat: “Advanced Recycling” in West Virginia
Advocating for Clean Air In and Outside the Home: Moms Make News
Moms Applaud EPA’s First Step Toward Vinyl Chloride Ban: Moms Make News
Moms Welcome Isabel González Whitaker: Moms Make News
Another Day, Another Petrochemical Disaster: Moms Make News
They Call It “Advanced Recycling.” It's Not.
Frontline Mental Health Impacts: Ohio River Valley Communities
Candi Hurst, Remarks at Appalachian Hydrogen Hub Rally, November 7, 2024
How Chemical Recycling Endangers Communities in West Virginia
Tell the Department of Defense: Ohio River Valley Families Don’t Want PFAS Incineration
The First 100 Days: Shell's Beaver County Ethane Cracker Report Card
Tell Governor Morrisey and the WVDEP: Protect West Virginia Families From Polluting Facilities
Protecting Little Lungs From Petrochemical Pollution
A Vital Earth for Everyone
Youth Voices Talk Climate Change
"We Are One," by Lucia Valentine
WV Moms Call on Sen Manchin to Support the Build Back Better Act
2025
Science, disaster costs at odds with WV leaders' fight to ax key EPA climate finding
Financial, environmental concerns loom over Clean-Seas Belle site permit application
WV Congress members quiet, advocates loud on Trump aim to ax Chemical Safety Board
Plastic-to-fuel plant planned for the UKV draws 'greenwashing' concerns
This free film in Shepherdstown could change how you see plastic
Around the Region - May 29, 2025
On World Asthma Day, Constituents Told US Leaders to Protect a Clean Ride for Kids
Around the Region - May 2
Republicans in Congress Move to Gut the Clean Air Act
June 5: Screening of documentary "Single-Use Planet"
2024
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, Supreme Court sides with WV to block rule targeting air pollution
- Press release, Moms to Host Webinar About How Chemical Recycling Endangers Communities in West Virginia
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, EPA: New chemical emissions rule benefits Ohio River Valley, drastically cut air toxins
- Press release, New EPA Protections Will Curb Chemical Pollution, Clean Up Air in Impacted Communities
2023
- The Weirton Daily Times, Information about plastics recycling plant shared
- Beyond Plastics, Community Groups Announce Opposition to Plastics Pyrolysis Plant as Proposed in Follansbee, West Virginia
- The Buzz EV News, EPA Region 3 celebrates WV electric school bus delivery
- Business Telegraph, EPA Region 3 Celebrates Electric School Bus Delivery in Wirt … – U.S. EPA.gov
- Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Region 3 Celebrates Electric School Bus Delivery in Wirt County, West Virginia
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, DEP renews air quality permit for Union Carbide ethylene oxide distribution system in Institute driving health concerns
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV air regulators, political leaders concerned with tighter regulations proposed for pollutant looming large in wildfire smoke
- The Herald-Dispatch, EPA proposal gives fossil fuel plants time and choices with estimated billions in benefits, but WV leaders oppose it
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV environmentalists cheer while some leaders jeer new EPA emissions standards aimed at boosting electric vehicle sales
- Press release, STRONG PETROCHEMICAL RULES ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY WITH EPA PROPOSAL, BUT MORE SAFEGUARDS ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT PEOPLE LIVING NEAR FACILITIES
- Press release, West Virginia Organizer Impacted by Toxic Pollution Will Attend EPW Senate Hearing on Ohio Train Derailment & Chemical Disaster; Contact Us for Interviews
- The Journal, Electric vehicle car charges installed at Shepherdstown library
2022
- School Transportation News, GreenPower Cuts Ribbon on West Virginia Electric School Bus Manufacturing Plant
- School Bus Fleet, GreenPower Celebrates West Virginia Ribbon Cutting
- The West Virginia Daily News, WV Groups support the Inflation Reduction Act as a Good First Step
- Dominion Post, Stewards of the Earth: St. Francis church to host environmental forum
- Times West Virginian, Environmental, labor groups join forces to fight climate change
- Yahoo! News, Climate-conscious groups to hold West Virginia Day celebration
- Times West Virginian, Climate-conscious groups to hold West Virginia Day celebration
- The Herald-Dispatch, Appalachian activists renew calls for federal climate action as time ticks away on current Congress
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, Appalachian activists renew calls for federal climate action as time ticks away on current Congress
- My Buckhannon, Dear Neighbor: WVWC panel discussion highlights concrete ways local people can help combat the climate crisis
2021
- West Virginia Gazette-Mail, “We need this so bad”: Build Back Better backers say bill would protect WV’s most vulnerable as Manchin resists
- Martinsburg Journal, West Virginia’s Chance to Lead
- WDVM, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin at center of Biden agenda debate on Capitol Hill
- Public News Service, WV Moms Call on Manchin to Support Biden’s Climate Plan
- Huntington Herald-Dispatch, Elected leaders call on Manchin to support clean energy, infrastructure
- Charleston Daily Mail, “I’m asking you, Uncle Joe”: Clean energy, fossil fuel advocates lobby Manchin, Congress in infrastructure fight
- Martinsburg Journal, Local leaders urge Manchin to support clean transportation investments
- Martinsburg Journal, Elected officials, clean vehicle advocates to hold press conference Thursday
- Herald-Dispatch, WV environmentalists urge Congress to pass climate priorities missing from bipartisan Senate infrastructure deal
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV environmentalists urge Congress to pass climate priorities missing from bipartisan Senate infrastructure deal
- WCHS, Delegates, energy advocates push for electric infrastructure
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV advocates urge state leaders to capitalize on federal environmental justice push by embracing clean energy
- WDTV, Local advocates and officials call for clean transportation
- WBOY, City of Morgantown and climate change groups ask Manchin, Capito to support push to electric vehicles
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV infrastructure upgrade advocates stress high stakes as senators reach bipartisan deal
- Press Release, West Virginia Elected Officials and Climate Justice Advocates to Call for Bold Federal Investment in Clean Transportation at Clean Vehicles Press Event
- HuffPost, Exxon Lobbyist Brags About Regular Access To Joe Manchin
- Press Release, With Energy Secretary Granholm Touring Coal Country in West Virginia, Solar Entrepreneur and Moms Clean Air Force Member Available for Comment
- National Cyber Security News Today, EPA, DEP reassessing high Kanawha cancer risks from air toxics after review of Union Carbide emissions
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, EPA, DEP reassessing high Kanawha cancer risks from air toxics after review of Union Carbide emissions
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV’s coal economy keeps carbon emissions coming as aging AEP plants near compliance crossroads
- Parkersburg News & Sentinel, WVDEP weighs potential permit for plant in Pleasants County
- Marietta Times, WVDEP discusses potential permit for methanol plant
- Daily Mail West Virginia, Profile: The Revolt Energy ‘power couple’
- Press Release, W.Va. Climate Alliance responds to President Biden’s Clean Energy Initiatives
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, Keena Mullins: Clean energy could lift WV out of poverty (Opinion)
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, LETTER: Manchin must support and confirm Regan to head EPA
- Press Release, Moms Clean Air Force, together with the WV Climate Alliance, Lauds Biden’s Breakthrough Climate and Environmental Justice Actions: The president’s actions move our families toward a healthier, more stable future
2020
- My Buckhannon, New West Virginia environmental coalition publishes ‘A Citizen’s Guide to Climate Change’
- Connect the Dots Podcast, Young and Wild and Sick
- Coal Valley News, W.Va. environmental, social justice groups release climate change guide
- The Herald-Dispatch, W.Va. environmental, social justice groups release climate change guide
- MetroNews, Newly formed West Virginia environmental group presents climate report
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, Leah Barbor: Pollution agenda harms West Virginians amid pandemic
- Center for American Progress, Environmental Review Is Under Attack: Here Is What’s at Stake
- My Buckhannon, Planet-friendly fun: Here’s a handful of activities to help adults and kids celebrate 50th annual Earth Day
- Press Release, West Virginia Moms are outraged at EPA’s attack on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic: Sabotaging these standards is an unforgivable assault on our health
- My Buckhannon, Moms Clean Air Force seeking members to take everyday actions that protect environment for future generations
2019
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, Penny Dacks: Capito should protect WV from Wheeler’s dodgy record (Gazette Opinion)
2017
- WOWK 13 News, EPA Clean Power Plan Hearings End in WV
- CBS FOX 59, EPA Clean Power Plan Hearings End in WV
- Courthouse News Service, Scores Turn Out In Coal Country to Air Views on Clean Power Plan’s End
- Charleston Gazette-Mail, EPA greenhouse gas rule hearing in WV draws supporters, opponents
- Governors’ Wind & Solar Energy Coalition, Nearly 300 slated to speak at epic W.Va. hearing today
- West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Clean Power Plan’s Repeal Gets Hearing In Coal Country
- The Washington Post, In the heart of coal country, EPA gets an earful about Clean Power Plan’s fate