Jan 24 Energy & Environment Competing Bills On Miners Benefits Tens of thousands of retired coal miners and their families in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia face another deadline on expiring healthcare benefits and pensions. A temporary extension Congress funded late last year expires in April. A regional Senate Republican and Democrat have offered competing bills to address the issue. The two measures differ sharply […] By Becca Schimmel Jan 24 Energy & Environment Competing Bills On Miners Benefits Becca Schimmel
Jan 13 Energy & Environment Ross Reviewed: Trump’s Choice For Commerce Left Mixed Legacy In Ohio Valley The billionaire Wilbur Ross is headed for Senate confirmation hearings as President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for secretary of the Department of Commerce. Ross made it to ultra-rich status in part by salvaging coal and steel assets in Appalachia and the Rust Belt. His business dealings leave a mixed legacy in the Ohio Valley region, from […] By Glynis Board Jan 13 Energy & Environment Ross Reviewed: Trump’s Choice For Commerce Left Mixed Legacy In Ohio Valley Glynis Board
Jan 13 Energy & Environment International Coal Group (ICG): A Brief But Eventful History From its creation at a bankruptcy auction to its final profitable sale, Ross’ International Coal Group lasted just seven years as an independent entity. But Ross left a mark on central Appalachia as the owner of mines that saw one of the region’s worst mine disasters and chronic environmental violations. By Jeff Young Jan 13 Energy & Environment International Coal Group (ICG): A Brief But Eventful History Jeff Young
Dec 16 Energy & Environment Fighting For Breath: Black Lung’s Deadliest Form Increases At the age of 38, a coal miner named Mackie Branham Jr. was diagnosed with progressive massive fibrosis, a debilitating and terminal form of an illness that was supposed to be a disease of the past — black lung. But Branham is among many miners afflicted by a resurgence in the disease, and officials are […] By Benny Becker Dec 16 Energy & Environment Fighting For Breath: Black Lung’s Deadliest Form Increases Benny Becker
Oct 21 Energy & Environment Toxic Legacy: “Teflon” Chemical Sticks Around In Water Supplies For more than half a century along the Ohio River, the chemical company DuPont provided jobs for thousands of people. One chemical they produced is PFOA, commonly known as C8. It was a remarkably useful compound, used in “Teflon” non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and even in some food wrappers. Over time, researchers have found that […] By Glynis Board Oct 21 Energy & Environment Toxic Legacy: “Teflon” Chemical Sticks Around In Water Supplies Glynis Board
Oct 14 Energy & Environment Piggy Express: ‘Right To Farm’ Law Shields Giant Hog Operation Mount St. Joseph in Daviess County, Kentucky, may appear calm with the Green River flowing past homes that dot the farmland here. But there is trouble in the air and it comes along with the smell of a large hog farm. Sixty-three year old Jerry O’Bryan was born and raised on a farm in Daviess […] By Nicole Erwin Oct 14 Energy & Environment Piggy Express: ‘Right To Farm’ Law Shields Giant Hog Operation Nicole Erwin
Oct 6 Energy & Environment Justice Delayed: Billionaire Candidate’s Coal Companies Owe $15M in Taxes, Fines The Democratic candidate for governor in West Virginia has never held public office. Jim Justice is instead running on his record as a businessman. He runs coal mines, farms, and a luxury resort, and according to Forbes, he’s also the wealthiest person in the state, worth $1.56 billion. A review of records by NPR and […] By Benny Becker Oct 6 Energy & Environment Justice Delayed: Billionaire Candidate’s Coal Companies Owe $15M in Taxes, Fines Benny Becker
Oct 6 Energy & Environment Justice Timeline By Alexandra Kanik Oct 6 Energy & Environment Justice Timeline Alexandra Kanik
Sep 26 Energy & Environment Kentucky Clean Power Plan By Alexandra Kanik Sep 26 Energy & Environment Kentucky Clean Power Plan Alexandra Kanik