This week Dominion hired a company based in Texas to work on new pipelines in Wetzel County. Instead of using local labor, workers will be imported from Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.  In reaction, the Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation has organized four protests in front of Dominion Transmission facilities.  Commenting on the matter, Larry Young of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 132 said, “They promote Marcellus Shale like it is the biggest thing in the world that will produce millions of dollars. But the local people sure don’t see much of that.”  Read more in the Charleston Gazette…

Another rally was held in Morgantown, where concerned citizens once again gathered in the courthouse square to speak out against the two Marcellus wells permitted 3000 feet from the intake of their drinking water supply. Attendees spoke not only of their fears about the detrimental health effects that would result from spills, runoff, and air pollution, but drew attention to the fact that there was no public comment period on the permits, as is standard with current regulations.

Meanwhile, the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia launched a new publicity campaign and website.  Among legislators present at the support rally for the campaign was Senate President Pro-Tempore Brooks McCabe, who helped pass huge tax breaks for the gas industry in the most recent legislative session.  Called “Just Beneath the Surface,” the campaign touts benefits the state is reaping from natural gas production, such as local jobs and tax dollar contributions.