West Virginia has received federal Infrastructure Bill funding to complete the Corridor H Highway, a four-lane route beginning in Tucker County and connecting with Interstate 81 in Strasburg, Virginia.

Some environmental groups and local residents argued the project's current route could disrupt wildlife habitat and local economies based on outdoor recreation and tourism.

Hugh Rogers, board member and chair of the highways committee for the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, said small towns around Blackwater Falls would feel the impact from increased traffic and congestion.

"The people on the mountain who live in Thomas and Davis, they don't want a four-lane slamming right between their towns," Rogers emphasized. "And causing a whole different kind of development probably from the kind that has been very successful."

More than 120 miles of Corridor H is now open, with around 30 miles left to complete, according to the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The state maintains the project will open up remote areas in Grant, Tucker and Hardy counties to economic development and shorten travel times through the mountains.

But Rogers countered the outdoor tourism small businesses and residents have worked to build up around Blackwater Falls is at stake. He pointed out travelers come to the area to escape major development.

"And there's just all this opportunity for recreation," Rogers explained. "As you know, mountain biking is very big around here. Lots of hiking, of course. Rafting and kayaking on the river, it's just a wonderful playground"

He added nearly 2,000 residents have signed an online petition calling for the highway's path to be diverted from the Blackwater region to an alternate route.

"For years, people thought, we have to take whatever the Department of Highways gives us; we just 'want' the changes that it will bring," Rogers noted. "Now, more and more people are getting the idea that we don't have to settle for a lousy version of this."

Research from the Allegheny Blue Ridge Alliance shows the highway could potentially impact threatened and endangered species such as Cheat Mountain salamander, Indiana bat, Virginia big-eared bat and West Virginia flying squirrel.

Oregon salmon populations had some significant wins in 2024, including a record number of sockeye salmon passing through the Columbia River's Bonneville Dam last summer. But there is still a long way to go to restore wild salmon populations.

Lauren Goldberg, executive director of the environmental group Columbia Riverkeeper, said they are focused on resisting new fossil-fuel infrastructure along the Columbia. She pointed out proposals include an unconventional diesel refinery from NXTClean Fuels and the expansion of an existing interstate gas pipeline, Gas Transmissions Northwest.

Goldberg argues the projects are dangerous for the fish and people in the area.

"We defend our nation's bedrock environmental laws to make sure that everybody can drink water without fear of getting sick, can eat locally caught fish," Goldberg explained.

Last week, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality approved a water quality certification for NXTClean Fuels' massive refinery along the Columbia River. Goldberg noted NXT still needs several more permits before it can begin construction and Columbia Riverkeeper will ask the department to reconsider its decision.

Despite challenges, Goldberg emphasized the Northwest is on track for significant salmon recovery, in part thanks to the 2023 Columbia River Basin agreement.

Signed by the Biden administration, local tribes, Oregon, Washington, and nonprofits, the agreement includes more than $1 billion in federal funding for wild fish restoration and clean-energy development for the next decade.

"There is so much momentum right now to restore abundant salmon and to support the cultures and the economies that rely on salmon," Goldberg stressed.

Goldberg added the group will continue working alongside Tribes and local communities this year, and has added four new board members to aid its efforts.

A Michigan expert weighs in on an historic shift in 2024 - wind and solar power surpassed coal on the U.S. grid.

According to research from Ember - a nonprofit focused on advancing the transition to clean energy - from January to November of last year, renewable energy sources in the country provided a record 17% of U.S. electricity, while coal supplied 15%.

In Michigan, several coal-fired power plants have closed, with more set to come.

Dan Scripps, who chairs the Michigan Public Service Commission, said he believes economics is the largest driver of the shift.

"Coal plants, starting in sort of 2010 era, needing to start adding pretty significant pollution abatement and reduction technologies, in order to continue operating," said Scripps, "that really did have pretty fundamental impact on their price parity."

Many of the nation's coal plants were built in the 1970s and 1980s, making them some of the oldest power plants in the country.

Looking ahead, utilities are set to retire nearly 30 gigawatts of coal capacity between 2025 and 2027, marking a 12% decrease from earlier projections.

Scripps said another major factor in the shift away from fossil fuels is growing customer interest - evident through Michigan's voluntary renewable energy plans, offered by the utility companies.

"I've seen really significant uptick in participation - including, I think, two of the largest deals in U.S. history of corporate customers," said Scripps, "Ford Motor Company being the largest one, purchasing renewables through their utility. But, also just regular homeowners."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has committed to achieving carbon-free electricity by 2040, as part of Michigan's Healthy Climate Plan.




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Connecticut environmental groups are dissatisfied with Gov. Ned Lamont's energy strategy for the state.

In his State of the State address, the governor called for increasing nuclear energy and bolstering natural gas pipelines. His plan comes as energy company Enbridge plans to extend a gas pipeline running through the state.

Lori Brown, executive director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, said many people are disappointed by lawmakers' direction on fossil fuels.

"The mindset of the governor and some lawmakers is really moving away from investments in the future in clean energy and in renewable energy that will absolutely be better for our state," Brown asserted. "It's the long-term thinking but there are much more desirable ends."

Lamont's intentions come several months after pulling Connecticut out of a multistate offshore wind deal. A Sierra Club report found offshore wind would be an abundant renewable energy resource for the state, potentially cutting utility bills by $630 million a year.

The state also still has a "pipeline tax," through which ratepayers pick up a $6.6 billion tab for energy company infrastructure improvements.

With the State of the State Address kicking off the legislative session, many want some climate-related bills passed, since there has been almost no headway on climate legislation in the last two sessions.

Samantha Dynowski, state director of the Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club, said this year, the General Assembly will see some bills coming back for another look, which could bolster the state's climate-friendly future beyond generating more clean energy.

"We are keenly aware of how heat impacts public health, and are looking to make sure we're doing more to protect vulnerable populations from high-heat days and the health impacts that those have," Dynowski explained.

For Connecticut, 2024 was the state's second-warmest year, with projections showing it will be a continuing trend. Other legislation being considered this year would ban certain pesticides harmful to people and wildlife.