Ohio River Valley Institute
@ohiorivvalleyinst.bsky.social
Sound research for a more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable Appalachia.
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Ohio River Valley Institute
The Ohio River Valley Institute is a think tank focused on lasting job growth, clean energy, and more inclusive civic structures for northern Appalachia.
ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org
📊 Hello! We're the Ohio River Valley Institute, a research organization helping Appalachian communities chart a course toward shared prosperity, clean energy, and more equitable civic structures.
We're very excited to join you on Bluesky. Learn more about our work at ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org.
We're very excited to join you on Bluesky. Learn more about our work at ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org.
As power-hungry data center projects scramble to secure electricity, capital costs for new gas-fired power plants have soared from less than $1,000/kW to as much as $3,000/kW in just two years, heightening the risk of stranded assets. https://ow.ly/e55e50Xpw6U
What the last gas boom (and bust) says about today’s rush to build
Gas power M&A valuations have doubled since 2024, but new generation remains a risky investment, analysts say.
ow.ly
November 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM
As power-hungry data center projects scramble to secure electricity, capital costs for new gas-fired power plants have soared from less than $1,000/kW to as much as $3,000/kW in just two years, heightening the risk of stranded assets. https://ow.ly/e55e50Xpw6U
The US steel industry risks falling further behind absent large-scale investment in a transition to low- or zero-emissions “green” steelmaking, our new report finds. https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/falling-further-behind/
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The US steel industry risks falling further behind absent large-scale investment in a transition to low- or zero-emissions “green” steelmaking, our new report finds. https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/falling-further-behind/
In 2022, Diversified claimed its aging wells would continue producing for decades and could be plugged at a fraction of industry norms. These assumptions helped shave hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities from the company's financial statements: https://ow.ly/i3Qk50XmrgI
November 7, 2025 at 1:50 PM
In 2022, Diversified claimed its aging wells would continue producing for decades and could be plugged at a fraction of industry norms. These assumptions helped shave hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities from the company's financial statements: https://ow.ly/i3Qk50XmrgI
Data center projects have flooded Ohio. Their carbon footprint can be enormous, Randi Pokladnik writes. A 100 MW data center project, on average, emits roughly 300,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to the annual emissions of 60,000 passenger cars: https://ow.ly/Opoe50XmqMp
Ohio’s data centers will impact many Ohioans • Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio’s Appalachian region is no longer a bucolic setting of small rural communities; it is an industrial zone littered with fracking operations. Soon, central Ohio will experience the same degradation as data centers transform their towns into industrial landscapes.
ow.ly
November 6, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Data center projects have flooded Ohio. Their carbon footprint can be enormous, Randi Pokladnik writes. A 100 MW data center project, on average, emits roughly 300,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to the annual emissions of 60,000 passenger cars: https://ow.ly/Opoe50XmqMp
Oil & gas lobbying groups drafted and advanced legislation to pave the way for carbon capture and storage (CCS) development in Ohio. Join us on Thursday, Nov. 6 to learn more about House Bill 170: http://bit.ly/new-wild-west
November 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Oil & gas lobbying groups drafted and advanced legislation to pave the way for carbon capture and storage (CCS) development in Ohio. Join us on Thursday, Nov. 6 to learn more about House Bill 170: http://bit.ly/new-wild-west
"Disappointing" — A deal between West Virginia and Diversified Energy leaves the state open to billions of dollars in well-plugging liabilities. https://ow.ly/vZSE50Xmqwk
'Disappointing': WV's Diversified well-plugging deal viewed as missed opportunity
Experts and advocates already were wary of a deal that Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s administration struck this month with the nation’s largest gas and oil well owner to seal, or plug, its wells throughout the state. Now that the Gazette-Mail has obtained the 481-page agreement via a Freedom of Information Act request, experts see even more reason to condemn the deal. They also see a missed opportunity to strengthen West Virginia’s protection against the threat of a future riddled with unplugged, abandoned wells that pollute groundwater, create sinkholes, hurt wildlife and emit climate-harming...
ow.ly
November 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"Disappointing" — A deal between West Virginia and Diversified Energy leaves the state open to billions of dollars in well-plugging liabilities. https://ow.ly/vZSE50Xmqwk
On Thursday, Nov. 6, join Fieldnotes, Buckeye Environmental Network, and the Ohio River Valley Institute for a webinar and Q&A on the oil & gas industry’s push to fast-track carbon capture and storage development in Ohio. Register: http://bit.ly/new-wild-west
October 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
On Thursday, Nov. 6, join Fieldnotes, Buckeye Environmental Network, and the Ohio River Valley Institute for a webinar and Q&A on the oil & gas industry’s push to fast-track carbon capture and storage development in Ohio. Register: http://bit.ly/new-wild-west
The Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) was an important part of the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from oil & gas operations. But in recent months, most aspects of the program have been rolled back, delayed, or dissolved:
October 31, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) was an important part of the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from oil & gas operations. But in recent months, most aspects of the program have been rolled back, delayed, or dissolved:
As the global market continues to decarbonize, the US primary steel industry risks falling further behind absent a large-scale transition to green steelmaking, according to our new report. Join us next Thursday, Nov. 6 to learn more: http://bit.ly/falling-further-behind
October 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM
As the global market continues to decarbonize, the US primary steel industry risks falling further behind absent a large-scale transition to green steelmaking, according to our new report. Join us next Thursday, Nov. 6 to learn more: http://bit.ly/falling-further-behind
Voters’ frustration over soaring electric bills is “shaking political fault lines” in the lead-up to consequential November elections. Since last year, electricity prices have risen by double-digit percentages in OH, PA, and other PJM states. https://ow.ly/53UT50XiOoL
October 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Voters’ frustration over soaring electric bills is “shaking political fault lines” in the lead-up to consequential November elections. Since last year, electricity prices have risen by double-digit percentages in OH, PA, and other PJM states. https://ow.ly/53UT50XiOoL
CNX is marketing a site in Washington Co., PA to data center developers with claims of “carbon-neutral” power from “remediated mine gas.”
In reality, the mine gas scheme wouldn't achieve carbon neutrality and could incentivize additional coal production. https://ow.ly/4pz550XiOjG
In reality, the mine gas scheme wouldn't achieve carbon neutrality and could incentivize additional coal production. https://ow.ly/4pz550XiOjG
Washington County acreage pitched as ‘carbon-neutral’ data center development
In the race to develop data centers to satiate the growing appetite for artificial intelligence, Washington County is hoping to be a contender.
ow.ly
October 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
CNX is marketing a site in Washington Co., PA to data center developers with claims of “carbon-neutral” power from “remediated mine gas.”
In reality, the mine gas scheme wouldn't achieve carbon neutrality and could incentivize additional coal production. https://ow.ly/4pz550XiOjG
In reality, the mine gas scheme wouldn't achieve carbon neutrality and could incentivize additional coal production. https://ow.ly/4pz550XiOjG
Diversified Energy became the nation’s largest well owner by amassing old, discarded wells—without adequate funding to eventually plug them. Now, the company has signed a “sweetheart deal” with West Virginia to help lead the state’s well-plugging efforts. http://bit.ly/4owPr64
Figures point to wide funding gap in WV deal with nation's largest gas well owner
The nation’s largest gas and oil well owner has relied on a business model that energy experts and West Virginia landowners say put the state at high risk of having to close environmental health-damaging wells – something the owner has done at a pace that would take until late into the 24th century to complete in Appalachia. Gov. Patrick Morrisey is heralding a new agreement his administration has reached with that owner to seal, or plug, the wells that experts say is a sweetheart deal for the company – not the state. At a news conference in Bridgeport on Oct. 16, 2025, Morrisey and the CEO...
www.wvgazettemail.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Diversified Energy became the nation’s largest well owner by amassing old, discarded wells—without adequate funding to eventually plug them. Now, the company has signed a “sweetheart deal” with West Virginia to help lead the state’s well-plugging efforts. http://bit.ly/4owPr64
Over the last twenty years, most of the electricity generated in and around Appalachia has been—and continues to be—carbon-intensive, even as the region's transition from coal to natural gas cuts down on net emissions. https://ow.ly/yIAx50Xf00v
October 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Over the last twenty years, most of the electricity generated in and around Appalachia has been—and continues to be—carbon-intensive, even as the region's transition from coal to natural gas cuts down on net emissions. https://ow.ly/yIAx50Xf00v
Two competing pipeline proposals would increase Appalachian natural gas flows to southern VA & NC, helping fuel data center development. If either project is granted federal approval, hefty infrastructure costs could be passed on to ratepayers. https://ow.ly/X2WA50XeZIp
New, overlapping pipeline proposals are redundant–and unnecessary
Two competing pipeline proposals would increase Appalachian natural gas flows to southern Virginia and North Carolina.
ow.ly
October 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Two competing pipeline proposals would increase Appalachian natural gas flows to southern VA & NC, helping fuel data center development. If either project is granted federal approval, hefty infrastructure costs could be passed on to ratepayers. https://ow.ly/X2WA50XeZIp
Skyrocketing electricity demand complicates decarbonization efforts in Appalachia, a region whose emissions cuts have come primarily from swapping coal for gas. https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/expanding-data-center-demand-near-appalachia-could-slow-down-regional-decarbonization-efforts/
Expanding data center demand near Appalachia could slow down regional decarbonization efforts
Further decarbonizing the PJM grid is functionally impossible unless Appalachia replaces gas-fired generation with zero-carbon electricity.
ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org
October 22, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Skyrocketing electricity demand complicates decarbonization efforts in Appalachia, a region whose emissions cuts have come primarily from swapping coal for gas. https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/expanding-data-center-demand-near-appalachia-could-slow-down-regional-decarbonization-efforts/
Figures point to wide funding gap in West Virginia deal with nation's largest gas well owner: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/figures-point-to-wide-funding-gap-in-wv-deal-with-nations-largest-gas-well-owner/article_48b37fb6-e243-490a-bb1c-c3ca9f0005b2.html
Figures point to wide funding gap in WV deal with nation's largest gas well owner
The nation’s largest gas and oil well owner has relied on a business model that energy experts and West Virginia landowners say put the state at high risk of having to close environmental health-damaging wells – something the owner has done at a pace that would take until late into the 24th century to complete in Appalachia. Gov. Patrick Morrisey is heralding a new agreement his administration has reached with that owner to seal, or plug, the wells that experts say is a sweetheart deal for the company – not the state. At a news conference in Bridgeport on Oct. 16, 2025, Morrisey and the CEO...
www.wvgazettemail.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Figures point to wide funding gap in West Virginia deal with nation's largest gas well owner: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/figures-point-to-wide-funding-gap-in-wv-deal-with-nations-largest-gas-well-owner/article_48b37fb6-e243-490a-bb1c-c3ca9f0005b2.html
The Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) is facing serious setbacks. Our new report describes how Ohio River Valley states are using already disbursed MERP funds to plug orphaned wells:
https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/whats-happening-with-merp-in-ohio-river-valley-states/
https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/whats-happening-with-merp-in-ohio-river-valley-states/
What's happening with MERP in Ohio River Valley states?
The Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) is facing serious setbacks. Here's how states are implementing the MERP funding they've received so far.
ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) is facing serious setbacks. Our new report describes how Ohio River Valley states are using already disbursed MERP funds to plug orphaned wells:
https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/whats-happening-with-merp-in-ohio-river-valley-states/
https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/whats-happening-with-merp-in-ohio-river-valley-states/
Scientists have documented “significant contamination” from fracking activity in a Pennsylvania town’s water supplies, bolstering a resident-led lawsuit against EQT. Plaintiffs say a drilling fluid rupture in 2022 rendered residential water wells in New Freeport unusable. https://ow.ly/hElK50XbJ1T
October 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Scientists have documented “significant contamination” from fracking activity in a Pennsylvania town’s water supplies, bolstering a resident-led lawsuit against EQT. Plaintiffs say a drilling fluid rupture in 2022 rendered residential water wells in New Freeport unusable. https://ow.ly/hElK50XbJ1T
IMPLAN modeling suggests Empire Diversified Energy’s plastics pyrolysis project & associated downstream economic activity in Follansbee, West Virginia could support 38 direct jobs and fewer than 63 total jobs. https://ow.ly/FSEy50XbJcZ
October 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
IMPLAN modeling suggests Empire Diversified Energy’s plastics pyrolysis project & associated downstream economic activity in Follansbee, West Virginia could support 38 direct jobs and fewer than 63 total jobs. https://ow.ly/FSEy50XbJcZ
The Trump administration’s cuts to energy projects could hamstring demand for Form Energy’s fledgling battery plant in Weirton, WV. The plant, which manufactures low-cost batteries for energy storage, is expected to create 750 jobs with minimum salaries of nearly $63,000. https://ow.ly/ImHv50XbIVC
Trump axe to blue-state energy funding support hits $70M Form Energy-backed project
The Trump administration has cancelled tens of millions of dollars in support for energy projects whose technology provider has been looking to usher in a new era of regional energy manufacturing at a nascent, state-supported battery-making plant in West Virginia. The U.S. Department of Energy on Oct. 2, 2025 announced the termination of 321 financial awards providing $7.56 billion in support for 223 projects. The terminations cut funding for clean energy projects in Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, extending a history of President Donald Trump using his presidential...
ow.ly
October 16, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The Trump administration’s cuts to energy projects could hamstring demand for Form Energy’s fledgling battery plant in Weirton, WV. The plant, which manufactures low-cost batteries for energy storage, is expected to create 750 jobs with minimum salaries of nearly $63,000. https://ow.ly/ImHv50XbIVC
A plastics pyrolysis facility in Follansbee, WV is unlikely to bring many jobs or generate much revenue for local & state budgets, economic modeling shows. https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/an-economic-impact-analysis-of-a-planned-plastics-pyrolysis-facility-in-follansbee-west-virginia/
An Economic Impact Analysis of a Planned Plastics Pyrolysis Facility in Follansbee, West Virginia
A pyrolysis project in Follansbee, WV is unlikely to create many jobs or generate much tax revenue for local and state budgets, modeling suggests.
ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:43 PM
A plastics pyrolysis facility in Follansbee, WV is unlikely to bring many jobs or generate much revenue for local & state budgets, economic modeling shows. https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/an-economic-impact-analysis-of-a-planned-plastics-pyrolysis-facility-in-follansbee-west-virginia/
"I feel like we’re getting the raw deal here," Ogden said of Tenaska's proposed carbon storage wells. “We're asked to be the dumping grounds...I’m really worried about it. I think it’s unproven technology with a lot of wells, mineshafts." https://ow.ly/i9wE50X72Yx
October 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
"I feel like we’re getting the raw deal here," Ogden said of Tenaska's proposed carbon storage wells. “We're asked to be the dumping grounds...I’m really worried about it. I think it’s unproven technology with a lot of wells, mineshafts." https://ow.ly/i9wE50X72Yx
It’s not just Beaver County. As Shell looks to offload its struggling Monaca plastics plant, the company’s entire chemical sector saw revenue fall by 43% from 2021 to 2024.
IEEFA North America covers Shell's petrochemical underperformance:
https://ow.ly/zA3j50X73Ce
IEEFA North America covers Shell's petrochemical underperformance:
https://ow.ly/zA3j50X73Ce
October 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
It’s not just Beaver County. As Shell looks to offload its struggling Monaca plastics plant, the company’s entire chemical sector saw revenue fall by 43% from 2021 to 2024.
IEEFA North America covers Shell's petrochemical underperformance:
https://ow.ly/zA3j50X73Ce
IEEFA North America covers Shell's petrochemical underperformance:
https://ow.ly/zA3j50X73Ce
Monthly electricity costs have risen 267% in areas near significant data center activity, according to data analyzed by Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-ai-data-centers-electricity-prices/?embedded-checkout=true
October 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Monthly electricity costs have risen 267% in areas near significant data center activity, according to data analyzed by Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-ai-data-centers-electricity-prices/?embedded-checkout=true
Nine ammonia & hydrogen projects have been canceled or paused since July, when Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” shortened the eligibility window for lucrative hydrogen tax credits: https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/the-ammonia-industry-begins-to-falter/
October 8, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Nine ammonia & hydrogen projects have been canceled or paused since July, when Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” shortened the eligibility window for lucrative hydrogen tax credits: https://ohiorivervalleyinstitute.org/the-ammonia-industry-begins-to-falter/