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.
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...
ORVI Insider #11: Energy Experts Say “There Is No Business Case” for Appalachian Fracking
ORVI Insider February 9, 2021 A Message from Our Executive Director Last week, we...
Railroaded By the Gas Industry
Before you get behind the wheel of a car, you’re required to have auto insurance. It costs a few bucks, especially for bad drivers, but everyone...
Fracking Counties Economic Impact Report
Since the start of the fracking boom, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia’s biggest gas-producing counties have seen declines in their share of jobs, income, and population.
Living with Natural Gas Pipelines
More than 2 million miles of natural gas pipelines run throughout the United States. In Appalachia, they spread like spaghetti across the region.
ORVI Insider #10: “The Shale Crescent” and the Dream of an Appalachian Petrochemical Boom
ORVI Insider January 26, 2021 In this edition of our newsletter, we are excited to announce the Ohio River...
Biden’s First Fracking Test: LNG Trains
Biden’s first fracking test. That’s what the Wall Street Journal editorial board calls the incoming administration’s decision about a port project...
Critical Condition: ‘The Shale Crescent’ and the Dream of an Appalachian Petrochemical Boom
Join us for an expert panel discussion on the projected future of the promised Appalachian petrochemical buildout.
Technical Note for Forthcoming Report – Repairing the Damage: Cleaning up the land, water, and air damaged by the coal industry pre-‘77
Abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation consists of design, construction, and administration costs.
Cost estimates in the official AML inventory, eAMLIS, only reflect construction costs—and many construction cost estimates are old and not updated for inflation or new reclamation techniques.
ORVI Insider #9: Plastic Market Trends Are Bad News for Appalachian Cracker Plans
ORVI Insider December 22, 2020 In this edition of the ORVI Insider, our last newsletter of 2020, we...
Paper Summary: Near Term Carbon Tax Policy in the US Economy
New research by Advisory Council member Nick Muller evaluates impacts of near term carbon tax policy in the United States.
Plastic Market Trends Are Bad News for Appalachia Cracker Plans
The Ohio Valley petrochemical buildout is in big trouble. You know it when you hear things like this: “The Zeitgeist has shifted, and this is a...
ORVI testifies in support of Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Reduced emissions, lower utility bills, and economic development for small-town Pennsylvania ORVI testimony before the Pennsylvania Environmental...