Natural Resource

Industrial Solar Comes to Town: Clark County’s Justified Opposition

Industrial Solar Comes to Town: Clark County’s Justified Opposition

While most people are in agreement that solar power is a viable alternative to fossil fuels, tensions can arise when communities must bear the burden with none of the benefits. In her debut post, staffer Samantha Blakeman examines why Winchester, Kentucky residents have opposed the introduction of industrial solar farms in their community.

Bailing Out Big Oil: An Economic and Moral Dilemma

Bailing Out Big Oil: An Economic and Moral Dilemma

While low gas prices are usually looked at gratefully, COVID-19 has changed societal interactions and diminished the need for oil as quarantining mitigates the need to drive. However, as oil production continues around the world and is met with depleted demand, big oil companies are falling on hard times leading them to seek assistance in the form of a government bailout.

Data Mining: How Computer Programming Education Can Bridge the Gap Between Old and New Industry in Appalachia

Data Mining: How Computer Programming Education Can Bridge the Gap Between Old and New Industry in Appalachia

In this article, Notes Editor Connor D. Hicks explains the employment prospects for former, Appalachian coal-miners in search of new occupations while their historic industry slowly erodes. This article explores the potential job market for these blue-collar workers in an unexpected area…technology. Click below to read more.

Developing Red River Gorge: A Lesson in Consensus Building

Developing Red River Gorge: A Lesson in Consensus Building

Within the next decade, Kentucky’s beloved Red River Gorge must undergo significant commercial development. Discussion about how to monetize this natural landmark without compromising the environment has Kentucky residents concerned. Staffer Howard Ball writes on the Chamber of Commerce’s plan to boost ecotourism and bring money to Eastern Kentucky.

Administrative Law is Heating up, Thanks to Climate Change: Trump’s Replacement of the Clean Power Plan

Administrative Law is Heating up, Thanks to Climate Change: Trump’s Replacement of the Clean Power Plan

The Trump administration’s Affordable Clean Energy Rule (“ACE”) improves the efficiency of power plants, but what does this mean for the environment and climate change? In this post, staffer Joy Kleisinger explores the administrative challenges to saving the environment while enforcing Trump’s ACE rule.

Black Lung = Disability and Death, So Why are Legislators Making this Issue so Complicated?

Black Lung = Disability and Death, So Why are Legislators Making this Issue so Complicated?

In this editorial piece, author Neil Kearns discusses a recent Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that highlights the precarious position miners and their estates find themselves in when seeking compensation under the amendments to the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA). Kearns questions Congress’ inaction and stresses the importance of legislators taking steps to improve the lives of those living in coal country.

Collective Bargaining Agreements and Section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act: What Unionized Employees Should Know

Collective Bargaining Agreements and Section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act: What Unionized Employees Should Know

The utility industry led the private sector in union membership in 2018, with a relatively high unionization rate of 20.1 percent. In this post, staff editor Zachary Atwell discusses the importance of § 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) to employees and employers, and how the act affects labor disputes involving collective bargaining agreements.