Transition to Homegrown Prosperity

Westerners are all-too-familiar with boom and bust cycles in coal, mining, oil and gas, commodity agriculture and other natural resource sectors. Currently, coal production across the WORC region faces steep declines as coal loses market share to cheap, fracked natural gas, and cost competitive clean energy from wind and solar generation.

In addition, more efficiency in buildings, appliances, lighting and industries has decoupled economic growth from increasing electric demand, further depressing coal’s prospects.

WORC members were present when coal boomed in the Northern Great Plains in the 1970’s-1980’s and successfully championed reforms that protected communities and the environment from permanent damage, like

• Strict mine reclamation,
• Severance taxes and minerals trust funds, and
• Federal coal leasing policy.

Now WORC and its member groups are working together to mobilize our grassroots energy and leadership to help direct and shape and lead the transition to a cleaner, more resilient, sustainable and just economy in our seven-state region.

Never miss an opportunity to make the West a healthier and more sustainable place to call home.

Dakota Rural Action teases fiction from fact on Hungry for Truth’s misleading ad campaign.

The above infographic is from Hungry for Truth (the media and messaging arm of the South Dakota Soybean Producers) which uses checkoff dollars on ad campaigns…

Northern Plains and Colstrip power plant union release cleanup jobs study

As Colstrip Power Plant plans to shut down units 1 and 2, coal ash pond cleanup can keep plant workers on the job. Northern Plains…

Fact-check: Meatpackers are lying to you about Country of Origin Labeling

These are the myths told so that beef importers can fleece U.S. ranchers on cattle and hog prices Sign up for our newsletter! Picture it:…