Research
The Ohio River Valley Institute examines some of the region’s most pressing challenges. We provide policy analysis and practical tools for building a stronger Appalachia. All of our research is available for you to cite, use, and share, per our free use policy.
Repairing the Damage: Cleaning Up the Land, Air, and Water Damaged by the Coal Industry Before 1977
Cleaning up Appalachia’s thousands of acres of abandoned mine lands could create jobs, reduce climate-warming emissions, improve quality of life, and minimize environmental damage.
An Energy State No More: As coal vanishes from the grid, so might West Virginia’s status as an energy state
In 10 years, unless West Virginia leapfrogs from its coal-dominated energy system to one driven by clean renewable resources, it will cease to be an...
Polling Shows A Republican Split in Pennsylvania
One quarter of the way through 2021 and Pennsylvania voters are grumpy. According to the March edition of Franklin & Marshall College Poll,...
ORVI Insider #13: Risks for New Natural Gas Development in Appalachia
ORVI Insider Vol. 13 March 23, 2021 In this edition of our newsletter, we introduce groundbreaking new...
NEW REPORT: Future Appalachian Shale Gas Drilling Unprofitable and Petrochemical Buildout Unlikely
JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania, March 23, 2021 – New gas field developments in Appalachia are unlikely to be profitable as the US energy system undergoes...
The true cost of cleaning up historic damage from the coal industry
This afternoon, Congress will hold a hearing on a slew of bills that seek to clean up land and water damaged by the coal industry before it was...
A federal solution is needed to address hazardous abandoned wells
On Thursday the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources in the US House will be holding a hearing on the federal Abandoned Mine Land (AML)...
Misdirection: How we’re misled about the natural gas boom’s economic impacts
The Ohio River Valley Institute’s recent report on the nearly complete failure of the Appalachian natural gas boom to deliver on promises of jobs...
Risks for New Natural Gas Development in Appalachia
Higher prices are needed to save Appalachian natural gas, but the industry faces pressure from decarbonization and uncertain petrochemical markets.
Critical Condition: “The Shale Crescent” and the Dream of an Appalachian Petrochemical Boom
On February 3rd, 2021, the Ohio River Valley Institute convened a forum of experts from finance, policymaking, and the petrochemical industry to...
ORVI Insider #12: Fossil Fuel Subsidies, LNG Trains, and a Window into the West Virginia Legislature
ORVI Insider March 2, 2021 A Message from Our Executive Director Many of us are...
The Failure of Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Pennsylvania
$3.8 billion is enough money to run the entire economy of a small country. But it’s just barely enough to cover the cost of Pennsylvania’s annual...
West Virginia Legislative Session Starts Shrouded in Secrecy & Bad Ideas
The West Virginia Legislature got underway on Wednesday, February 10th, and so far the legislative session has been marked by a lack of...
Proposed Belmont County, OH ethane cracker project postponed . . . again
The Ohio River Valley Institute issued the following press release earlier today. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Newest delay for Belmont County cracker...
ORVI REPORT – Appalachia’s Natural Gas Counties: How dreams of jobs and prosperity turned into almost nothing
NEW REPORT: NATURAL GAS COUNTIES' ECONOMIES SUFFERED AS PRODUCTION BOOMED Since the start of the fracking boom, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West...