ARCH2 (Dis)engagement Continues to Fail West Virginians

By Morgan King, WV CAG Climate and Energy Program Manager

On September 18, 2024, representatives from the Appalachian Regional “Clean” Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) hosted their first “engagement” webinar with the public, providing updates on the tax-payer-funded project. All previous “engagement” occurred virtually through the Department of Energy (DOE). ARCH2 promised “two-way engagement with labor and community stakeholders.” 

In reality, the hub communicated very little new information that was not already available to the public, and there was no time for questions or discussion with attendees. Attendees could not see who else attended the session other than the panelists. Moreover, the session started five minutes late and concluded seven early; this means that the only engagement session hosted by ARCH2 and open to the public occurred in a mere half hour. This is not a “two-way” engagement. 

They shared that the proposed projects are in Point Pleasant, Fairmont, Follansbee, and southern West Virginia, with two locations to be determined. Several other proposed project developers have already dropped out, and ARCH2 will solicit proposals from other companies to backfill those widening gaps. 

The hub plans to host only three community meetings in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The dates were released fewer than four weeks before the first open house: 

• Thursday, November 7, 6-9 pm, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV
• Tuesday, November 19, 6-9 pm, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA*
• Tuesday, December 3, 6-9 pm, Kent State University Stark campus, North Canton, OH*
  
  *These two are likely to be delayed until early 2025, however we will keep you updated. West Virginia’s event, during election week, nonetheless, is the only one not delayed after requests to push it back.

 

So, why does this matter? No energy project should develop in our state without meaningful input from community members from the start. Engagement cannot be a closed-off webinar with no questions, commentary, or discussion between developers and communities. Even more, engagement cannot be an afterthought to check the boxes of the simple engagement expected by the DOE and dismiss community concerns. If this concerns you, get involved with our climate program! 

Join our climate committee to stay updated and organize on all hydrogen and CCUS developments, including ARCH2. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at morgan@wvcag.org if you have questions or want to talk more about this topic!

Environmental Justice x Climate Tech: NYC Climate Week

I had the opportunity to represent West Virginia Citizen Action on a panel in New York City at Climate Week, September 23, 2024, on environmental justice and climate technology alongside climate justice champions Audrey Alonso of Our Climate and Roishetta Ozane of the Vessel Project of Louisiana. 

With so many false climate solutions being posed across the country and our state as “climate technology,” from hydrogen and direct air capture hubs to carbon capture, pipelines, and injection wells, environmental justice is crucial. It must be at the forefront of policy, regulatory, and commercial decisions. 

Panelists discussed the importance and difference between community engagement and consent and how intentional engagement must start long before industry appears in a community with a new project idea. We’ve seen the challenges and failures of engagement with ARCH2 in West Virginia, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences at Climate Week.