Advocates want federal regulators to shut down what they say is an illegal coal haul road in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest.

South Fork Coal Company obtained a state mining permit in 2011 for its haul road.

Willie Dodson, coal impacts program manager for the advocacy group Appalachian Voices, said the company falsely claimed the road would not enter national forest land. While he expects in the company to argue its right to continue using the road, he said groups have sent a letter to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement asking its Sharon Buccino, its deputy director, to immediately shut it down.

"It makes no sense to allow them to continue operating this haul road in the meanwhile. The haul road needs to be shut down right now," Dodson asserted. "Sharon Buccino has the authority to do that, and we are asking her to do that."

Under federal law, surface coal mining operations are prohibited on protected lands unless a coal company acquired rights established before the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

In 2022, West Virginia was the second-largest coal producer in the nation, after Wyoming, and was responsible for 14% of the nation's total coal production.

Dodson added travelers from across the country visit southern West Virginia and the Cranberry Glades. He said it's critical to conserve the region's ecosystem for habitat and wildlife, but also for the longevity of tourism dollars drawing people to the Mountain State.

"The area where the haul road is drains into the South Fork of the Cherry River, which is one of the major headwaters for the Gauley River," Dodson pointed out. "Also, these are pristine trout streams."

Conservation groups are currently involved in litigation with agencies over failure to enforce federal environmental protections related to South Fork Coal Company's operations.

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.