West Virginia
70's-Era Personal Rapid Transit System Still Operating in West Virginia
The only true PRT in the United States, the system serves 15,000 students of West Virginia University each day when school is in session. Some even credit the school's growth to the effectiveness of the PRT.
Governing Magazine
Could China Set New Standards for Coal Mining?
The Atlantic's James Fallows and Alexis Madrigal fly over Virginia & Kentucky to see first hand how mining effects the land, both in the U.S. and more importantly in China, where they're developing greener techniques for mining.
The Atlantic Magazine
First Mountaintop Mining Permit Expected To Be Revoked
A major mountaintop mining permit is likely to be rejected after an environmental review found "unacceptable" impacts on water quality and wildlife. This would be the first major rebuke to the mining practice, and could foreshadow its end.
Nature
Thinking BIG
In Beckley, West Virginia, planners are thinking BIG- the Beckley Intermodal Gateway, that is, a $24 million transportation hub that is partly funded by FTA grants. Of course, not everyone is getting what they want out of the project.
Beckley
Struggling Cities Meet to Brainstorm Survival Strategies
Representatives from a handful of the country's "fastest-dying cities" met recently in Dayton, Ohio to try to figure out how they could revive their economies and reverse the decline that has been slowly strangling them of jobs, money and people.
The Wall Street Journal
BofA Ends Financing for Mountaintop Removal Mining
Rainforest Action Network and Natural Resources Defense Council enjoyed a huge victory when Bank of America decided last week to end its financing of controversial, destructive mountain top removal coal mining in Appalachia.
The Charleston Gazette
Need A Job? Try Appalachia!
Appalachia, long known as one of the poorest parts of the U.S. with chronically high unemployment, finds itself in the enviable position of enjoying remarkably low unemployment due to unwavering demand for its main natural resource – coal.
The Wall Street Journal
World's Only Personal Rapid Transit System May Expand
The only running Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system has served West Virginia University and Morgantown's downtown for 32 years. Now the university is considering proposals to expand the system to cope with increasing traffic.
The New York Times
Sprawl's Economic Effect On Agriculture In South
As new developments consume agricultural lands in the fast-growing South, the cooperatives that cater to farmers feel the pinch. While some can 'retool' by selling pet food and lawn fertilizer, others must close as another casualty to sprawl.
AP via Daily Press (Hampton Roads, Virginia)
Mining Companies Blast Mountaintops and Memories
Controversial technique by mining companies of dynamiting moutaintops to get at coal destroys more than the environment.
Grist Magazine
Coming Soon To An Exurban County Near You
It is possible to move three, four, or even five counties out from the District of Columbia and still feel the effects of growth in the national capital region, even though Unger, W.Va. is not generally considered a suburb of Washington.
The Washington Post
West Virginia's Renewed Hope In Coal, Tourism
After suffering population loss and poverty for decades, West Virginia recently posted a decline in the unemployment rate, spurred by the resurging coal, tourism, and construction industries.
West Virginians Reluctantly Leave State for Economic Reasons
Many West Virginians must leave the state to find work, but they long for home.
The New York Times
Historic Status Sought For New Deal Homestead
Inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places could bring federal dollars for Neal Deal homesteads.
The Washington Post
An Environmental Setback In West Virginia
The environmental movement suffered a setback as whe Supreme Court refuses to hear a case about mountaintop coal mining in West Virginia.
Charleston Gazette
World's Best Tap Water
Contest for the city with the best public tap water draws international attention to drinking water quality.
The San Diego Union-Tribune





















