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.
Fracking is Not Popular in Pennsylvania
Public opinion research–and now actual election results–give lie to the myth: fracking simply is not popular, not nationally and not in Pennsylvania.
Low-Wage Jobs Are the Future in Ohio River Valley Without Policy Change
If policymakers at the state and federal level want to build a strong economy with good paying jobs in the Ohio River Valley region it will require...
Election 2020: Will Pending Litigation Impact Results in Pennsylvania?
The 2020 election has taken place against the backdrop of a pandemic, a racial justice movement, and record-setting political spending--projected to...
ORVI Elections Analysis
2020 election results and analysis for Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky
ORVI Insider #6: Trump Won’t Like the Results of an Economic Impact Study on Fracking
A Message from Our Executive Director Back at my desk in Pennsylvania, I have the strong sensation of being in the eye of a storm; the past few...
Supreme Court Allows Pennsylvania Extension to Count Ballots, For Now
For the moment, Pennsylvania ballots postmarked by Election Day and received through November 6 could be counted. The opinion looked like a win for voting rights in a battleground state , but it’s too early to celebrate.
Trump wants to order an economic impact study for fracking. He won’t like the results.
Tim Puko of the Wall Street Journal recently reported that President Trump is weighing an executive order to study the economic impacts of...
ORVI Insider #5: LNG-by-Rail Transport Poses Threat of Catastrophic Explosions
The latest news and research findings from the Ohio River Valley Institute.
Good Jobs: A Robust Labor Movement, Strong Labor Laws
The key to stronger communities is not trying to turn the clock back to an industrial past but to learn the lesson of how we got those “good jobs” of yesterday: a robust labor movement protected by strong labor laws.
New Rule Allows Explosive Liquefied Natural Gas on Rail Lines Near You
October 22, 1944 was an ordinary Friday in Cleveland until 2:40 in the afternoon. That’s when liquefied natural gas (LNG) that had quietly seeped...
Renewable Energy: The New Texas Tea
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia should try it instead of throwing up barriers In 2009, Texas was the nation’s biggest consumer of coal for the...
ORVI Insider #4: Quality of Life Investments Could Drive Prosperity in Small Cities and Towns
A Message From Our Executive Director The Ohio River Valley, like much of the country, is currently living under the nation’s microscope - we are...
West Virginia’s Oil & Gas Industry Pushing for Millions in Property Tax Cuts
While West Virginians are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and trying to figure out if their kids can attend school, the oil and gas industry is...
Quality of Life-driven prosperity for small cities and towns
Earlier this year, the Belomar Regional Council, an economic planning and development council comprised of governments in Belmont County Ohio, and...
The Fracking Boom in Appalachia: Big GDP Growth, Small Amount of Jobs and Local Income
"If our economy seems to be growing but that growth is not sustainable because we are destroying the environment and using up scarce natural...