Friend of Miners and Mountains
Silas House writes about life in coal country through rich, complex characters steeped in history and tradition. His activism is rooted in seeing how mining affected his family and community.
Reid Frazier
EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Tells Pennsylvania Miners He Has Their Back
During a quick stop-over in Greene County, the EPA administrator made the case that an industry-friendly EPA can indeed help coal miners.
Louisianans Can Tell You What Pennsylvania’s Petrochemical Industry Might Look Like
If a petrochemical boom is heading to western Pennsylvania — as it now appears to be — there are some big lessons we can learn from residents living in the shadow of Louisiana's "Chemical Corridor."
How Shale Gas is Fueling a Spinoff Industry in Petrochemicals
The shale gas boom on the Gulf Coast has had a trickle down effect for the region's petrochemical industry. Could the same happen in western Pennsylvania?
What Pennsylvania Can Learn from Houston’s Air Pollution
As a petrochemical industry boom looms, Pennsylvanians could learn a lot from chemical capitals like Houston about how to keep air pollution under control.
Chemical Plant Brings Jobs and Dangers for a Gulf Coast Community
Shale gas development in Louisiana's "Chemical Corridor" may hold clues for what's coming next to Pennsylvania's natural gas country.
How One Woman Took On Shell to Save Her Louisiana Town
It's not every day that a major corporation agrees to move an entire community out of the path of pollution from one of its facilities. But a retired Louisiana school teacher was able to get Shell to do just that.
This is Exactly How Natural Gas Gets Turned Into Plastics
Our energy reporter Reid Frazier digs into how Shell's new ethane cracker will turn natural gas into one of the building blocks of modern life.
Report Finds Fracking Companies Often Get Slap-on-the-Wrist Fines
That's if they're getting fined at all. The new report from PennEnvironment found only 17 percent of violations resulted in penalties, and the median fine was around $5,000.
Groups Announce Plans to Sue Steel Plant for Air Pollution Violations
In the latest chapter of Allegheny County's struggle with air pollution, four environmental groups say they are suing the county and a steel plant for violations of the Clean Air Act.
