The Chair's Corner
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Since I wrote to you the last time we’ve had some very good news about the Blair Mountain Nomination. The Archives and History Commission voted unanimously to resubmit the expanded nomination package to the National Park Service (NPS). This resubmission includes archaeological information from numerous sites within the nomination boundary. Our super heroes are: Dr. Barbara Rasmussen of the Preservation Alliance of WV who prepared the extensive nomination documents; Dr. Harvard Ayers of Appalachian State University and Kenny King, a local activist and amateur historian, who pursued the archaeological digs thru heat humidity and poison ivy. During the 2008 Session the House of Delegates passed HJR 40, a resolution in support of the designation of this historic site. (See the text of the resolution printed elsewhere in this issue.) The State Historic Preservation Office is putting the package together for submission to the NPS within the next few weeks. NPS will have a 60-day review period. We are optimistic. Stay tuned.

I have more election information for you—gee, will this subject ever go away? On Tuesday, 25 March, your Political Committee met in Morgantown and reviewed all the questionnaire responses received from candidates for the May 13 WV Primary Election (See the list of endorsements in this issue.) This list will be expanded in the fall when we make some more endorsements prior to the general election. Please come out and vote for our environment-friendly candidates on May 13. Sometime before the general election you will be receiving a PAC letter soliciting your help to re-elect our friends and to support new progressive candidates. I hope you will be as generous as possible because new friends in the State Legislature are vital to the passage of the bottle bill, clean elections, alternative energy, stop mountaintop removal, etc.

My latest update from the West Virginia DEP tells me they are now sure the blue haze which enveloped the Kanawha Valley during January was caused by emissions from AEP’s John Amos power plant. DEP will be issuing a formal report within the next few weeks and I will keep you posted as we learn exactly what we were breathing on that dirty day. The blue haze incident emphasizes the importance of stopping the proposed new power lines. We breathe in ever-increasing pollution as we generate more electricity for use on the Eastern Seaboard. The temperature inversion which caused the blue haze is just a reminder that we are in fact suffering health impacts from power plant emissions every day, even on the days when it’s not so visible. Recently WVU researcher, Michael Hendryx, used results from a telephone survey of 16,500 people to come to the conclusion that people who live in coal-producing counties are more likely to suffer from heart, lung and kidney disease. Dr. Hendryx adds that he has corrected for other factors with an effect on health, such as age, obesity and smoking.

The blue haze incident and Dr. Hendryx’ research emphasize the importance of stopping the TrAIL and PATH power lines. We are expecting a decision on the TrAIL power line in early May and the PATH hearings are upcoming very soon. You will be receiving an update on status of these projects in our forthcoming appeal letter. (We’ve held this letter up a bit in order to be able to let you know the outcome of the TrAIL hearing.) This is the one time during the year that WV Chapter is allowed to do a statewide funds appeal on behalf of the Chapter. When you receive our appeal, please be generous and help us send the message that West Virginians will no longer be the nation’s energy sacrifice zone. The health of West Virginians statewide depends our stopping these power lines which will have a negative impact on our health and our tourism income.

Peace,
Regina Hendrix