The following report was circulated to the Mon Group members in early January, 2026.
The strength of the Sierra Club is that we not only have a strong voice at the national level but also at the state and local level. Grassroots advocacy, education, outings, and engagement with other like-minded groups made 2025 a busy year for us. Given current asaults on climate goals and social justice issues, we've had plenty of battles to fight.
Educating members on local fossil fuel issues this year included outings to:
• Fort Martin and Longview coal-fired power plants
• The site in Tucker County where a proposed data center/microgrid may happen
• Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area with a methane detector to see how gas wells leak methane
Activism included:
• Our participation in all the No Kings rallies
• Table set-ups at the Mountainlair for Earth Day and at Ruby Amphitheater for the October No Kings rally to promote local environmental issues
• Five OpEds and Letters to the Editor in the Dominion Post to address coal, data center and other issues of state and local concern
• Sponsoring a forum to generate synergy with other like-minded groups
• An action alert to protect our national forests
• Jim Kotcon spoke as an expert witness at an air quality permit hearing in Charleston in December regarding the Fundamental Data Center in Tucker County
• Participation in state-wide symposium on data center activism
Social Events included:
• A frog walk at the WV Botanic Garden to hear the spring peepers
• An Ice Cream Social at the East Marion Park in Fairmont
• A hike in the Cheat Canyon Wildlife Management Area
• Eight Mon Group meetings across the year to discuss issues and events
The members of our executive committee also belong to other social justice and environmental groups that advocate for issues of concern to West Virginia - so we benefit from cross fertilization of ideas and energy.
Looking forward to 2026:
• January 31, 2026, Jim will lead a hike or cross-country ski outing in Blackwater Canyon, depending on weather and snow
• Lisa DiBartolomeo will lead a quilting event to gather people for communication and a shared project.
• ET and Molly will lead a follow-up to the November Forum
• Sponsor a billboard to educate people about solar energy
• Plan outdoor events to attract children and families
• Increase presence on social media to attract more young people
• Data Centers, power plants, and Rate-Payer Bill of Rights will likely dominate our attention.
Sierra Club Links
Mon Group Facebook page
Eastern Panhandle Group Facebook page
West Virginia Chapter web pages and Facebook page
Main organization web pages and Facebook page
Contact us at SCWVMG@gmail.com