Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (Powhr)

Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) is an interstate coalition representing Virginians and West Virginians dedicated to protecting the water, local ecology, heritage, land rights, human rights, and our communities from harms caused by the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. POWHR is a strong interstate coalition of local citizen groups that coordinate, conduct, and sponsor research on the impacts of fossil fuel infrastructure development in the Appalachian region. POWHR members further promote the preservation of the biodiversity, historical landmarks, cultural attachments, pristine waters, air quality, geologic integrity, property rights, and the optimal wellness and prosperity of all residents living in the region. The coalition serves and is comprised of community groups threatened and harmed by the the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline. Recognizing this fossil fuel infrastructure threatens communities well beyond this route, POWHR welcomes and includes a diverse array of allied organizations and individuals. POWHR’s Goals: ● Defeat the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), protect water and endangered species. ● Shift government priorities to the needs of people and the environment over corporations. ● Hold legislators accountable for campaign promises regarding green energy. ● Expose the self-dealing and lack of public benefit from fracked gas infrastructure projects. ● Shift public opinion about these dangerous projects and the flawed permitting process ● Strengthen the fossil fuel infrastructure regulatory process by holding public servants and elected officials accountable. ● Continue community-driven environmental quality monitoring. ● Support emerging resistance to environmental injustice ● Support communities in efforts to bolster cultural heritage. ● Promote equitable, community-based energy alternatives. ● Expose the socio-economic pitfalls of eminent domain. ● Engage our larger community in awareness of climate crisis.