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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin
@connorgiffin.bsky.social
310 followers 160 following 59 posts
Environmental reporter for The Courier Journal in Louisville, Kentucky. Tips: [email protected] https://courier-journal.com/connor
courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Feb 7
In Daniel Boone National Forest, NFFE tells me a large portion of U.S. Forest Service staff received probation notices — indicating risk of immediate termination — amid the Trump administration's blitz to cut the size of the federal government.
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Dozens of U.S. Forest Service workers in Daniel Boone National Forest facing layoffs
Trail maintenance, visitor information and other services in places like the Red River Gorge would see "immediate" impacts from layoffs, workers said.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · 13d
Full 88-page letter here:
www.ag.ky.gov/Press%20Rele...
This month's National Academies report on the harms of climate change here:
www.nationalacademies.org/news/2025/09...
www.nationalacademies.org
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · 13d
Comments to the EPA led by KY Attorney General Russell Coleman made a series of false or unsupported claims about the science of climate change, including suggestions that higher carbon dioxide levels would bring "net benefits" for "millions of Americans."
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
AG Coleman letter rejects climate change harm, claims 'net benefits' of emissions
In a letter, Russell Coleman and other attorneys general challenged the harms of climate change, which experts say are "beyond scientific dispute."
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · 15d
This fall, #Kentucky farmers will harvest soybeans, the state's top crop, from an area twice the size of Rhode Island. China, the world's largest soybean buyer, isn't buying.

"It's a critical time for Kentucky agriculture right now," one economist said.
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
A soybean farmer in Shelby County, photographed by Matt Stone.
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · 28d
As Louisville's top climate official exits, are the city's energy goals still in reach?
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
As Louisville's top climate official exits, are the city's energy goals still in reach?
Sumedha Rao has led Louisville's sustainability office since 2022. Her exit leaves questions about the city's path forward on pressing climate goals.
www.courier-journal.com
connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 28
The UAW claimed a narrow, contested victory in a union election at the BlueOval SK Battery Park, in what would be a historic outcome for organized labor in KY's budding battery industry.

But more than 40 challenged ballots could still swing the result.
www.courier-journal.com/story/money/...
UAW claims narrow win in BlueOval SK union vote ― but historic outcome is contested
A union win at the BlueOval SK battery plant would mark a pivotal victory for organized labor in Kentucky's budding battery industry.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 27
Kentucky wildlife officials euthanized more than 20 deer at a Meade County wildlife sanctuary yesterday, pointing to violations of chronic wasting disease rules.

What we know so far on a very sad story:
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Wildlife officials euthanize more than 20 deer at wildlife sanctuary, citing violations
Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary was in violation of regulations on chronic wasting disease in Meade County, state officials said.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 19
The CSB's work is especially pertinent in cities like Louisville, where chemical plants and homes are often in close proximity. Thousands of Louisville residents live near industrial facilities handling high quantities of hazardous chemicals.

More:
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Where heavy industry meets residential: Thousands in Louisville live near chemical risk
About 1 in 50 Louisville residents live in the same census block group as facilities handling "flammable or extremely hazardous chemicals."
www.courier-journal.com
connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 19
Trump's budget proposal would completely defund the
Chemical Safety Board, which still has an open investigation on the Givaudan explosion in #Louisville last year.

www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Chemical Safety Board, investigator of multiple Kentucky disasters, faces closure by Trump
The Chemical Safety Board is still investigating last year's explosion in Clifton. Its proposed closure this year could leave the probe in limbo.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 13
Even as the Trump administration pulls federal support for electric vehicles, #Ford is doubling down on its #EV investments in Kentucky.

"The training wheels are coming off," says
Cox Automotive.

With Lucas Aulbach:
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/p...
Ford deepens EV investment as incentives vanish: 'The training wheels are coming off'
Ford Motor Co. is still betting billions on building electric vehicles in Kentucky, even as the industry loses federal backing.
www.courier-journal.com
connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 12
Here's one interesting snippet from the order:

Chemours says it has not looked at reducing production at its Washington Works plant to curb PFAS emissions, even amid a series of permit violations and legal challenges.
connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 12
Chemours "has a history of violating its permit, knows it is violating its permit, and intends to continue violating its permit," a federal judge wrote. "This is unacceptable under the Clean Water Act."

A big court order on Ohio River PFAS pollution:
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Chemours 'boldly' violating pollution permit, putting Ohio River at risk, judge rules
Chemours "has a history of violating its permit, knows it is violating its permit, and intends to continue violating its permit," the judge wrote.
www.courier-journal.com
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Reposted by Connor Giffin
pressfreedomtracker.us
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker @pressfreedomtracker.us · Aug 5
Secret Service agents searched and read through Cincinnati Enquirer reporter @eringlynn.bsky.social’s notebook, which included unpublished work product, during a security screening ahead of an event with Vice President @jd-vance-1.bsky.social in Lima, Ohio, on June 24.
Ohio reporter’s notebook searched by Secret Service at Vance fundraiser
Erin Glynn, a reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer, had her reporting notebook searched by Secret Service agents during a security …
pressfreedomtracker.us
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 5
NEW: General Matter plans to build a $1.5 billion uranium enrichment facility in Paducah - "the largest economic development project in Western Kentucky history,"
@govandybeshear.bsky.social says.

More on the plans:
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
The new 'nuclear age': $1.5 billion uranium enrichment facility planned for Paducah site
The project is expected to create about 140 full-time jobs, officials said.
www.courier-journal.com
connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 5
Wide-ranging plans for Kentucky's old Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant have been thrown around lately, including #nuclear power and #AI data centers.

A Peter Thiel-linked uranium enrichment company is expected to share more info today. Here's what we know so far:
Uranium enrichment, nuclear power, AI, Peter Thiel: Leaders hint at big plans for Paducah
Ambitious plans for Paducah's old gaseous diffusion site could include Kentucky's first nuclear power plant. Steep hurdles likely await.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Aug 4
In July, Trump gave a Louisville formaldehyde plant two extra years to comply with Biden-era pollution control requirements.

Homes sit 500 feet from the plant. Nearly 2,000 people, including hundreds of children, live within a mile.
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Trump gives Louisville plant more time to address pollution. Homes sit 500 feet away
The Louisville formaldehyde plant bordering a residential neighborhood will have two additional years to comply with toxic air emission rules.
www.courier-journal.com
connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Jul 31
Big news for labor in the #batterybelt:

A union election date is set for BlueOval SK in #Kentucky ― a plant facing an uncertain #EV market + ongoing tensions between workers and the company over safety concerns.

What we know so far, w/ reporter Olivia Evans:
www.courier-journal.com/story/money/...
Ford, SK On battery park workers in Kentucky to vote on joining UAW union. What to know
BlueOval SK Battery Park workers in Hardin County will vote on whether to unionize with the United Auto Workers at the end of August. What to know.
www.courier-journal.com
connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Jul 29
Kentucky's largest utility is moving to extend the life of a coal-fired generating unit, citing demand from data centers and other economic development.
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
LG&E to extend use of Louisville coal unit, citing demand from data centers, other sources
The plan to extend the use of coal is notable for a utility that's shifted toward gas, and confirms the fears of some environmentalists.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Jul 29
Kentucky recently expanded tax incentives for data centers, with little public debate.

The provisions lack job creation and wage requirements, and contain no cap on tax abatements. Critics say such programs can mean "a huge loss" for state and local coffers.
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Kentucky legislators paved the way for data center development. Will Kentuckians benefit?
In some states, tax abatements for data centers have skyrocketed. One researcher said incentives like Kentucky's can be a "very big problem."
www.courier-journal.com
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Reposted by Connor Giffin
tomeblen.com
Tom Eblen @tomeblen.com · Jul 9
Trump plan to slash Appalachian economic development agency’s funding raises concerns across states kentuckylantern.com/briefs/trump...
Trump plan to slash Appalachian economic development agency's funding raises concerns across states • Kentucky Lantern
Trump budget would slash Appalachian Regional Commission funding. More than 80 organizations and individuals call on Congress to protect the agency's work.
kentuckylantern.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Jul 9
In today's Courier Journal, an explainer on the function and history of one of the most underrated pieces of infrastructure in #Louisville:
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
'Marvel of engineering': How Louisville's McAlpine Locks and Dam unlock the Ohio River
The McAlpine locks are among the busiest in the country, transporting $120 billion in cargo every year.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Jun 25
Thank you, Jess!
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Reposted by Connor Giffin
storiesbyjess.bsky.social
Jess Clark @storiesbyjess.bsky.social · Jun 25
Incredibly important reporting from @connorgiffin.bsky.social on schools being built on contaminated land in JCPS.

www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
In Louisville, schools are being built on contaminated land. How are kids, staff kept safe?
Decades-old pollution lies beneath two Louisville school properties, spurring concerns about the health of students and staff.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Jun 19
Louisville will use artificial intelligence to inventory trees in public spaces through a new contract, according to @loukyparks.bsky.social.

The project will reduce "the time and costs associated with a city-wide tree inventory," the city says.
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Louisville will use AI to inventory trees in public spaces
Louisville has wrestled with inadequate tree canopy, particularly in and near downtown, for decades. Officials say better data will help.
www.courier-journal.com
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connorgiffin.bsky.social
Connor Giffin @connorgiffin.bsky.social · Jun 13
The EPA is proposing to repeal all greenhouse gas emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants, in addition to some restrictions on toxic emissions like mercury.

What does that mean in fossil fuel-dominated #Kentucky?
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
EPA moves to repeal power plant regulations. What does that mean for Kentucky?
Kentucky, still vastly reliant on fossil fuel-fired power plants, has much at stake in the EPA's power plant rulemaking.
www.courier-journal.com
Reposted by Connor Giffin
jwoodjourno.bsky.social
Josh Wood @jwoodjourno.bsky.social · Jun 5
After Kentucky lost at least 20 people to tornadoes in recent months, @stephkuzy.bsky.social and @connorgiffin.bsky.social take an in-depth look at the dangers tornadoes pose to Kentucky while tracking the significant devastation of the latest ones. www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Is Kentucky becoming more tornado-prone? Well, it's complicated
Kentucky's recent tornadic activity has shaken long-standing ideas about the state's risk of death and destruction.
www.courier-journal.com
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