The Warren-Moreno proposal prevents Social Security cuts that could cost elderly Appalachians over $4,000 per year.
Alarm bells are ringing in Washington, D.C., with the Trump Administration warning that Social Security is projected to become insolvent in 2032. This would trigger an automatic 22% cut to benefits for over 70 million elderly or disabled Americans who rely, at least in part, on the program. Debate is swirling this week, as two […]
Congress is trying to loot America’s fund to clean up dangerous mines
In a “minibus” bill released by the House Appropriations Committee this week, legislators are attempting to loot $500 million from the bipartisan fund used to clean up the country’s land and water polluted by coal mining. The bill would transfer $500 million in previously appropriated cleanup funds to pay for other federal programs. Since 1977 […]
Statement on H.R.1’s Hydrogen Tax Credit Provision
Earlier today, Congress finalized a budget that includes a provision restricting access to the 45V hydrogen production tax credit solely to companies that initiate construction activities prior to the end of 2027. In response, Ohio River Valley Institute Hydrogen Program Director Tom Torres issued the following statement: While the Appalachian hydrogen hub may celebrate […]
The House Reconciliation Package, Climate Funding, and Tax Credit Impacts
News Articles on House Bill & Climate/Economic Development Funding House GOP budget ‘worse than feared’ for clean energy: analysts – By Brian Martucci – Utility Dive – May 22, 2025 – The bill’s “unworkable” provisions raise barriers for projects to qualify for clean energy credits before an accelerated 2028 expiration, an industry association said. House […]
Governor Shapiro’s “Lightning Plan”: What HB500 Means for Hydrogen
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposal for a hydrogen tax credit addresses some of the worst aspects of the existing tax credit but the tax credit still rewards polluters and leaves itself vulnerable to changes that could render it moot, unenforceable, or worse. Background Last month, legislation associated with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Lightning Plan […]
Ohio House Budget Proposal Would Cost Appalachian Public Schools $565.8 Million Over the Next 2 Years
The Ohio House of Representatives recently released its proposal for the next two years of school funding. Despite claims that the new plan gives schools more money than they received in 2025, the new proposal actually reduces funds for almost all of Ohio’s public schools compared to what they would have received if the state […]
Statement on West Virginia Senate Bill 627
CHARLESTON, W. Va. — In response to the final passage of West Virginia Senate Bill 627, Ohio River Valley Institute Hydrogen Program Director Tom Torres issued the following statement: The West Virginia legislature made a bad bet in 2023 when it opened up state forests, natural and scenic areas, wildlife management areas, and other […]
Uncertainty Remains for Essential Programs After Gov. Shapiro’s Lawsuit Unfreezes Federal Funds for PA
Last week, I joined a group of Pennsylvania advocates and policy experts for a press event on the critical situation facing businesses, community service organizations, and municipalities across the Commonwealth, one that demands our immediate attention and continued vigilance. The Trump administration recently took the unprecedented step of withholding over $2.1 billion in Congressionally approved […]
Damage Control: Federal Funding to Plug Orphaned Wells—And Create Good-Paying Jobs—Is In Jeopardy
Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have been awarded a total of $290.3 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up orphaned oil & gas well sites.
Filling the Hole: A Federal Solution to Cleaning Up America’s Orphaned and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
On October 23, 2024, Senior Researcher Ted Boettner presented at the 2nd Annual Orphan & Idle Wells Texas Conference on the need for a federal solution to clean up America’s orphaned and abandoned wells. His presentation is summarized below. An upcoming report will provide further detail on the topic. For more than 200 years, the […]