Correction: The date for the MLK Jr. March is January 16.  We also corrected a formatting problem that should improve readability for folks using Yahoo email.  Sorry for the duplicate alert...

Help End Slurry Injection
In West Virginia, coal companies are pumping coal sludge (the toxic byproduct of washing coal for market) underground, poisoning the well water for thousands in our state. The Sludge Safety Project - a collaboration of OVEC, Coal River Mountain Watch, and mountain communities - is pushing for a law to ban underground coal sludge injection and protect our waters. Join us this month and next at the State Capitol to fight for our rights to clean water!

January 17 - Sludge Safety Project Legislative Kick Off
We are kicking off the legislative session on January 17 with a press conference and lobby day. Join us in the morning to learn the basics of lobbying, then meet with your legislators to ask them to support our bill to end sludge injection.

The lobbying training and a media training begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Regents Room in the State Training Center (Building 7 at the Capitol Complex). Building 7 is the connector for Buildings 5 and 6. Once you pass through the security check point, proceed up the stairs to your right and then make a right at the top of the stairs.  The Regents Room is at the end of the hallway on the right (just past the restrooms).  The security personnel at the check point can also help direct you to the room.

Join us in defending our communities - see you on January 17.

February 25 - 40 Years of Black Water: From Buffalo Creek to Today
Save the date! From 2 - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, SSP is hosting a memorial for the victims of sludge / blackwater. Forty years ago this February, 125 people died in the blackwater flood of Buffalo Creek.

Since then, scores of families, in communities such as Prenter and Rawl, have lost loved ones to cancer and other ailments they blame on sludge-contaminated water. On February 25, we will memorialize those lost to blackwater. Whether you know someone who has died or simply think that all people have a right to safe, clean water, we invite you to join us at this event.

The Sludge Safety Project would like to know who is coming to our events, so please fill out this form and let us know when you are joining us. 

Stay Informed During The Legislative Session
The West Virginia Legislative Session begins today, January 11. If you want to stay current on actions needed to protect human health and the environment from polluters' lobbyists and politicians beholden to them, make sure you are on the action alerts issued by the WV Environmental Council and WV Citizen Action Group. OVEC is a major supporter of E-Council, which is set-up to do citizen lobbying on behalf of the state's environmental organizations. And, we are long-time partners with CAG. These two groups will contact you as action is needed during the legislative session.

The E-Council's E-Day! is February 8. The event is a major Citizen Lobby Day, so come on out!  SSP,  OVEC and other groups will have tables in the State Capitol. That evening, E-Council hosts a benefit dinner and awards ceremony. More info: See the February 8 entry here.

Upcoming Events
This Monday, January 16, the Huntington-Cabell Branch of the NAACP requests the participation of members of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition in the Martin Luther King, Junior, Jr. Civil Rights March.

The March gathers at 4:30 p.m. at 16th Street Baptist Church in Huntington, WV and begins at 5 p.m., commemorating Dr. King's belief that there is strength in numbers against blatant prejudice and discrimination. Dr. King and others led a major civil rights march in 1965, which took participants from Selma, AL to Montgomery, AL.

This march symbolizes the continued struggle for justice in the South and in all other parts of the US. At 6:00 p.m., the march ends at Marshall University's Joan C. Edward Theatre where a play will be presented of a fictional conversation between Martin L. King, Jr. and Malcolm X.

On Friday, January 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., protest the Supreme Court's decision to treat corporate money as "free speech" and corrupt our democracy. Join the nationwide Occupy the Courts day. Join the movement at the Byrd Federal Building, 300 Virginia St., East. Spread the word!

Move to Amend and other groups are organizing the nationwide Occupy the Courts actions to memorialize and resist the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. Please be part of this nationwide call to end "corporate rule" and corruption of campaign financing! Charleston will be one of more than 80 cities holding protest events.

On January 26, Marshall University SEAC and OVEC will co host a showing of The Last Mountain. For time and location information, check OVEC's online calendar, or e-mail vivian@ohvec.org.