The Ohio River Valley Hydrogen Hub: A Boondoggle in the Making

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) torpedoed the Build Back Better bill because, he said, it is too costly. But the fleet of hydrogen hub projects he is now promoting for locations around the nation, one of them in the Ohio River Valley, may cost nearly as much, they will drive up utility bills and create few […]

Should DOE’s Vision of an Ohio Valley CO2 Hub be DOA?

The recent movie, “Don’t Look Up”, parodies our response to the climate crisis and, in particular, political leaders whose attitude seems to be, “Sure, we’ll all die if we don’t change . . . but can’t we do it in a way that takes care of me and my donors?” For those who haven’t seen […]

Another round of Appalachian coal plant retirements may be imminent

January 25, 2022 may become the day the music died for a number of the remaining Appalachian coal-fired power plants. That’s when PJM, the regional transmission operator (RTO) that manages wholesale energy markets in all or parts of 13 mid-Atlantic and midwestern states and the District of Columbia, will hold a “capacity auction” to lock […]

Fewer Jobs, Higher Electric Bills if WVPSC Mitchell Ruling Prevails

The West Virginia Public Service Commission’s ruling on the case regarding the Mitchell power plant will, if it is implemented, result in fewer jobs and less prosperity for Marshall County and surrounding counties, it will needlessly raise West Virginians’ utility bills, and it will steal from a community that has been distressed for too long […]