Last week, the WV Chamber of Commerce celebrated West Virginia's improving business climate, according to the CNBC Best States for Business rankings. According to the Chamber, West Virginia's improvement from 48th to 45th is proof that the Chamber's preferred policies are working. CNBC's rankings is one of several in a long line of business climate…
Economy
The nearly six-fold increase in West Virginia’s natural gas production in the last decade, due largely to shale development, or fracking, has fallen short of expectations for economic growth, job creation, and tax revenue generation, according to a new report released by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and the West Virginia…
A new report from the Economic Policy Institute outlines the recent risk to the U.S. steel industry from a rapid increase in steel imports. According to the report, in facing the lack of demand in the aftermath of the Great Recession, steelmakers in other countries continued to add production capacity with government support. As the U.S. recovered…
Central Appalachian Broadband Policy Recommendations The Central Appalachia Regional Network (CARN) advocates for policies that support the availability of affordable high-quality broadband services for the citizens of the Central Appalachia region. These include both policies that will support broadband deployment as well as policies to increase public awareness of the need for broadband and digital…
As policymakers debate regulating Marcellus Shale gas drilling, the state needs to protect itself from the booms and busts of energy development that have left many counties with undiversified economies, a less-educated workforce and poorer health outcomes. This is according to a new report by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, "Booms and…
Natural gas is quickly becoming one of the most important contributors to the nation's energy portfolio. Natural gas is a very versatile energy source and emits lower levels of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants than coal and oil. Natural gas will likely be an integral part of the nation's energy future. Natural gas production…