A look back at our top ten 2019 blog features on coal, oil and gas, food and agriculture, and the West. Philosopher George Santayana famously said, “those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” In 2019 we … Continued
Above: Coal plants like the one above dispose of thousands of tons of toxic coal ash in unlined pits that leak contaminants, polluting vital groundwater. WORC network fighting to stop utilities from abandoning their cleanup obligations. Coal ash, the waste … Continued
Regional cooperation is the key for western coal communities weathering the coal market contraction. This post originally appeared on Dakota Resource Council’s blog. The Beulah public forum “Building Resilience in Coal Country”, hosted by Dakota Resource Council, was planned to … Continued
For our 40th Anniversary, we hear from Annika Johnson, of Colorado’s Youth Voter Initiative about the importance of getting involved early. Annika Johnson participated in Western Colorado Alliance for Community Action’s Youth Voter Initiative during the 2018 election cycle. She … Continued
WORC founder Pat Sweeney tells the story of four decades of grassroots organizing around western issues like responsible fossil fuel development, agriculture and food, renewable energy, and rural prosperity. Not only does he detail forty years of winning on issues, he also describes what grassroots organizing might look like over the next generation.
WORC set out to investigate what the western coal industry’s continued decline means for cleanup of the hundreds of square miles of coal mines that stretch from North Dakota to Navajo Nation. As long-time coal companies are replaced by unknown firms without track records in the region, what has happened to the companies guaranteeing mine cleanup?
Congress misses golden opportunity to bring transparency to consumers and economic justice for rural communities in NAFTA 2.0. The U.S. House voted to approve NAFTA 2.0/USMCA on December 20, 2019 and the agreement is expected to pass the U.S. Senate … Continued
Western Native Voice Stands Against Border Wall And Concentration Camps Western Native Voice (WNV) staff and members attended the 2019 Native Voice Network (NVN) meeting and protest in McAllen, Texas, July 25-27th. The NVN chose to hold this gathering in … Continued
The Trump Administration is accelerating its efforts to dismantle the few regulatory barriers that protect the public from toxic coal ash waste. Minerals in coal ash (the ash left over after burning coal) including arsenic, mercury, thallium, lead, and many other elements make coal ash one of the most dangerous pollutants in America, causing respiratory illness, neurological damage, and cancer.
Above: Without consistent monitoring and repair, natural gas infrastructure develops leaks that can pollute air with methane and toxic organic compounds, which can cause health problems and exacerbate climate change. Strong methane standards are essential to putting the health of … Continued