Feature Stories
New Climate Deal Spurs Hopes of More Carbon Storage Projects
August 16, 2022
The rolling prairie lands of northeastern Wyoming have been a paradise of lush, knee-deep grass for sheep, cattle, and pronghorn antelope this summer. But it’s a different green — greener energy — that geologist Fred McLaughlin seeks as he drills
Carol Miller: American Producers, Natural Resources Can Solve Energy Crisis
August 10, 2022
America faces a two-fold energy crisis — record high gas prices, such as more than $4 per gallon in West Virginia, and the potential for rolling blackouts. The answer to both of these problems is to produce more American energy,
What Does Senator Joe Manchin Believe He’s Getting?
August 6, 2022
Numerous news reports have emerged about the reforms to the energy infrastructure permitting process that Senator Joe Manchin has obtained as promises from President Joe Biden, Senator Chuck Schumer, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in exchange for his support for
Coal is at the Heart of Efforts Overseas to Keep the Lights On
July 20, 2022
We must stop pretending our nation’s coal power plants are unessential. The loss of coal generation is undermining our energy security, contributing to inflation and risking rolling blackouts. What’s happening is that we are dismantling essential generating capacity far faster
Researchers Dig Deep into North Dakota’s Coal Seams for Rare Earth Elements
June 20, 2022
Within North Dakota’s lignite coal seams lie a number of materials needed to produce touch screens used on cellphones, guidance systems for missiles, and motors and batteries for hybrid vehicles. Researchers know that rare earth elements such as neodymium and
David Banks: Adapting to Reliance on Imports of Battery Metals Is Dangerous
June 17, 2022
Of all the serious issues surrounding U.S. energy resources, few are more important to America than the one the Biden administration is sidestepping. The need for a new mining policy to end our dependence on China for lithium and other
Demand for Coal High, but Obstacles Slow Opportunities
June 6, 2022
Coal production is rebounding slowly in McDowell County as well as in the state, but with the current surge in worldwide as well as domestic demand, the potential market for coal is being hindered by many factors, from manpower to
Why The World Can’t Kick King Coal
June 2, 2022
Despite big promises, Europe is acknowledging the importance of coal, as it continues to impose sanctions on Russian energy before having the necessary oil, gas or renewable alternatives ready to take its place. At the same time, the G7 is
Unless We Get Serious About Domestic Mining, America’s Electrified Future is Impossible
June 1, 2022
There are a lot of people who are convinced that in just a few short years, the U.S. will be powered completely by fossil fuel-free renewable electricity. EVs will replace ICE-powered cars, and wind and solar will supplant coal and
Defense Production Act – What Does it Mean for Minerals?
May 23, 2022
Minerals are critical to energy — the building blocks for a range of advanced energy technologies — but they are also critical to national security. In an effort to reduce the United States’ reliance on China and other adversarial nations
