On Nov. 9, China Energy Investment Corp., Ltd., and West Virginia Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher signed a 20-year, $83.7 billion deal for the foreign company to invest in shale gas and chemical manufacturing in the state.
The signing was witnessed by President Donald Trump.
While many state officials have heralded the economic boost such an investment might provide, other state advocates have asked for more details, such as whether local workers will be hired and environmental protection agencies are up to the task of monitoring the expansion, according to the Charleston Gazette-Mail.
“This is signaling more rapid industrial development … that I don’t think the state or the region is prepared for,” said Angie Rosser of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. “What sounds like a quick fix for the economy and jobs has long-term implications written all over it that we are not prepared to handle. It feels like something spinning out of control.” — Elizabeth E. Payne
Related Articles
Latest News
More Stories
English Language Learning in Appalachia
Learning English is always difficult. But current aggressive approaches to immigration policy are creating more barriers for learners and the programs that serve them than ever before in Appalachia and beyond.
Pike County Rejects Mega Landfill
Many residents of Pike County, Kentucky, are breathing a sigh of relief since county commissioners finalized their decision to rescind a contract with an out-of-state waste management company.
Overdrive: Fossil Fuels in Appalachia
Electricity demand is on the rise. Here, we share snapshots of energy trends in the region and how methane gas, coal and data centers are affecting our communities — and how people are pushing back.
Less Support for Communities with Mine Problems
The Trump administration issued a regulation to weaken the Ten Day Notice process that helps community members call in federal enforcement when state regulators don’t do a good job policing environmental problems at coal mines
Chaos at the Tennessee Valley Authority, Cuts to Public Input
The past year has brought turmoil and uncertainty to the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s largest public power provider, and its more than 10 million customers across the Tennessee Valley.
Landmark Coal Ash Protections Under Attack
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning to eviscerate important, hard-won regulations on coal ash, a toxic waste left after burning coal for energy.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Leave a Comment