Nov 5 Democracy & Civic Life Ex-Massey Energy CEO Draws Thousands of Votes For President In Closely Contested States Former coal executive Don Blankenship, who went to prison for his role in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in West Virginia, drew about 55,000 votes Tuesday as a third-party candidate for president, including thousands of votes in closely contested states. While not a significant amount in comparison to the more than 140 million Americans […] By Brittany Patterson Nov 5 Democracy & Civic Life Ex-Massey Energy CEO Draws Thousands of Votes For President In Closely Contested States Brittany Patterson
Oct 28 Energy & Environment Advocates Say Citizen Mining Complaint Process Weakened By Rule Change Environmental and community advocates in Appalachian coal communities are concerned about a new federal rule, finalized this week, that is changing the process that allows citizens to file complaints about polluting coal mining operations. The Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement said in a Tuesday press release that the changes […] By Brittany Patterson Oct 28 Energy & Environment Advocates Say Citizen Mining Complaint Process Weakened By Rule Change Brittany Patterson
Oct 25 Energy & Environment Ohio Valley Coal Mine Executive Bob Murray Dead at 80 Robert E. Murray, the founder and former president and CEO of Murray Energy Corp., formerly the largest privately-held underground coal company in the country, has died. He was 80 years old. Murray’s death was reported Sunday evening by television stations WTOV9 in Steubenville, Ohio, and WOWK in Huntington, West Virginia. According to the news outlets, […] By Brittany Patterson Oct 25 Energy & Environment Ohio Valley Coal Mine Executive Bob Murray Dead at 80 Brittany Patterson
Oct 23 Democracy & Civic Life From Appalachia To Wyoming: Youth From Coal Country Discuss The Future After Coal On a recent Saturday, over Zoom, a group of seven high schoolers from Wyoming, eastern Kentucky and West Virginia gazed at an image of a gleaming, pale blue, coal-fired power plant. “OK, so this one really interested us,” said Sarah Belcher, a senior from eastern Kentucky. “So we noticed your all’s coal facilities, they’re really […] By Brittany Patterson Oct 23 Democracy & Civic Life From Appalachia To Wyoming: Youth From Coal Country Discuss The Future After Coal Brittany Patterson
Oct 19 Energy & Environment Bob Murray Announces Retirement From Coal Company He Founded After applying for black lung benefits, Robert Murray, founder and former president of the now-bankrupt coal company Murray Energy Corp., announced Monday he was leaving the business after more than 60 years in the industry. Murray Energy emerged from bankruptcy protection last month as American Consolidated Natural Resources (ACNR). The 80-year-old Murray was named chairman […] By Brittany Patterson Oct 19 Energy & Environment Bob Murray Announces Retirement From Coal Company He Founded Brittany Patterson
Sep 30 Energy & Environment Bob Murray, Who Fought Black Lung Regulations As A Coal Operator, Has Filed For Black Lung Benefits Robert E. Murray, the former CEO and president of the now-bankrupt Murray Energy, has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Labor for black lung benefits. For years, Murray and his company fought against federal mine safety regulations aimed at reducing the debilitating disease. “I founded the company and created 8,000 jobs there until […] By Brittany Patterson and Dave Mistich Sep 30 Energy & Environment Bob Murray, Who Fought Black Lung Regulations As A Coal Operator, Has Filed For Black Lung Benefits Brittany Patterson and Dave Mistich
Sep 28 Energy & Environment Drilling Permits Cancelled For Underground Natural Gas Storage Project Ohio environmental regulators have canceled key permits needed for an underground natural gas liquids storage facility proposed along the Ohio River. According to an order from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, permits to drill three three Class III solution mining wells in Monroe County, Ohio were cancelled on Sept. 21. Cancellation was requested by […] By Brittany Patterson Sep 28 Energy & Environment Drilling Permits Cancelled For Underground Natural Gas Storage Project Brittany Patterson
Sep 16 Energy & Environment Murray Energy Exits Bankruptcy, Rehires Union Miners Coal mining giant Murray Energy Corp. has emerged from bankruptcy with a new name and a commitment to rehire all of its former union employees, according to a news release from the United Mine Workers of America. UMWA President Cecil Roberts said on Wednesday that a new collective bargaining agreement has been finalized between the […] By Brittany Patterson Sep 16 Energy & Environment Murray Energy Exits Bankruptcy, Rehires Union Miners Brittany Patterson
Aug 21 Democracy & Civic Life “The Proof Is In The Pudding.” Coal Country Responds To Democrats’ Clean Energy Transition Democrats made their pitch to the American people during a largely virtual Democratic National Convention and addressing climate change emerged as a central tenet of the party’s plan. The party platform spells out a major investment in green energy jobs and infrastructure in order for America to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emission no later than […] By Brittany Patterson Aug 21 Democracy & Civic Life “The Proof Is In The Pudding.” Coal Country Responds To Democrats’ Clean Energy Transition Brittany Patterson
Aug 14 Energy & Environment Transparency, Environmental Concerns Surround Proposal To Barge Oil And Gas Waste On The Ohio River A proposal to repurpose a docking facility near Marietta, Ohio, to allow for the barging of oil and gas drilling waste on the Ohio River is drawing concern from environmental groups and local residents. Ohio-based DeepRock Disposal Solutions LLC is seeking approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District to operate a barge […] By Brittany Patterson Aug 14 Energy & Environment Transparency, Environmental Concerns Surround Proposal To Barge Oil And Gas Waste On The Ohio River Brittany Patterson