May 14 Democracy & Civic Life A Pandemic Voter Guide For West Virginia’s 2020 Primary West Virginia officials moved the state’s primary election from May 12 to June 9 out of safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, and have expanded options for mail-in voting. Registered voters can vote in person during early voting or on Election Day at a polling location, or by absentee ballot. The last day to […] By Brittany Patterson May 14 Democracy & Civic Life A Pandemic Voter Guide For West Virginia’s 2020 Primary Brittany Patterson
May 5 Economy West Virginia Small Businesses Face Tough Decisions As State Reopens West Virginia is among the states beginning to loosen restrictions meant to reduce the spread of coronavirus, allowing for some non-essential businesses to reopen beginning this week. On Monday, May 4, West Virginia entered the second week of Gov. Jim Justice’s six-week reopening plan, which he calls “the comeback.” During week two, businesses with fewer […] By Brittany Patterson May 5 Economy West Virginia Small Businesses Face Tough Decisions As State Reopens Brittany Patterson
Apr 14 Energy & Environment W.Va.’s Longview Power Declares Bankruptcy Citing Low Energy Prices, Coronavirus A West Virginia-based coal plant operator has announced that it’s filing for bankruptcy due to weak demand for electricity. Longview Power LLC, which operates one of the newest and most efficient coal-fired power plants in the U.S. hailed by the Trump administration as a model for coal’s future, announced in a Tuesday press release that […] By Brittany Patterson Apr 14 Energy & Environment W.Va.’s Longview Power Declares Bankruptcy Citing Low Energy Prices, Coronavirus Brittany Patterson
Apr 1 Energy & Environment Justice Coal Companies Agree To Settle $5 Million In Delinquent Mine Safety Debts Coal companies owned by the family of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice have agreed to pay more than $5 million in overdue mine health and safety fines and fees. According to a press release released Wednesday, a total of 24 coal companies owned by the Justice family agreed to settle millions of dollars in unpaid […] By Brittany Patterson Apr 1 Energy & Environment Justice Coal Companies Agree To Settle $5 Million In Delinquent Mine Safety Debts Brittany Patterson
Mar 26 Energy & Environment UMWA Wants More Coronavirus Protections For Coal Miners The United Mine Workers of America is asking federal regulators to set uniform, enforceable guidelines to help protect coal miners from contracting COVID-19. In a letter dated Tuesday, March 24, UMWA President Cecil Roberts wrote to the Mine Safety and Health Administration requesting the agency issue a “safeguard” or “emergency standard” that would require coal […] By Brittany Patterson Mar 26 Energy & Environment UMWA Wants More Coronavirus Protections For Coal Miners Brittany Patterson
Mar 23 Energy & Environment Ohio Valley Coal Industry Braces As COVID-19 Impacts Electricity Demand, International Exports As states across the Ohio Valley order the closure of non-essential businesses to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, coal mines will remain open. But as with many industries, the global pandemic is straining the coal sector, and some experts say the already struggling industry could face intense challenges in the months ahead as […] By Brittany Patterson and Sydney Boles Mar 23 Energy & Environment Ohio Valley Coal Industry Braces As COVID-19 Impacts Electricity Demand, International Exports Brittany Patterson and Sydney Boles
Mar 19 Energy & Environment Coronavirus And Slumping Prices Hit Ohio Valley’s Oil & Gas Sector Energy producers, utilities and energy sector workers across the Ohio Valley are adjusting operations and bracing for continued economic impacts as the fast-moving coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold. Efforts to limit the spread of the virus include shuttering schools and businesses and limiting travel, all of which reduce demand for energy. The federal government is […] By Brittany Patterson Mar 19 Energy & Environment Coronavirus And Slumping Prices Hit Ohio Valley’s Oil & Gas Sector Brittany Patterson
Mar 6 Energy & Environment Glidepath To Recovery: Flying Squirrels And Spruce Forests Share Common Fate U.S. Forest Service district biologist Shane Jones stands on an overlook high up on West Virginia’s Cheat Mountain. Behind him lush, red spruce trees stand like sentinels on this frozen landscape. As he looks out, small patches of green dot what is largely a view of the barren, brown trunks of leafless hardwoods. More than […] By Brittany Patterson Mar 6 Energy & Environment Glidepath To Recovery: Flying Squirrels And Spruce Forests Share Common Fate Brittany Patterson
Feb 14 Energy & Environment Just Transition: Amid Climate Debate And Coal’s Decline, West Virginia Considers Its Future On a recent soggy Wednesday evening, dozens of West Virginians packed a conference room inside the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center to discuss the need for a “just transition” for coal-impacted communities. As the nation grapples with climate change, the need for a fair transition for workers and communities that depend upon coal jobs and […] By Brittany Patterson Feb 14 Energy & Environment Just Transition: Amid Climate Debate And Coal’s Decline, West Virginia Considers Its Future Brittany Patterson
Jan 27 Energy & Environment New Protections Proposed For Imperiled Crayfish Species The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is proposing new protections for two threatened species of crayfish found in the Appalachian coalfields. Under the new proposed rule, set to be published Tuesday in the Federal Register, the agency will designate 445 miles of streams in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia as “critical habitat” for the Guyandotte […] By Brittany Patterson Jan 27 Energy & Environment New Protections Proposed For Imperiled Crayfish Species Brittany Patterson