Why Marcellus Matters
By Steve Hedrick There has been a lot of discussion throughout the state on Marcellus Shale and its cousin to the west, Utica Shale. Perhaps you find yourself asking, “Okay, it’s great that these shale layers are here, and that there are plans in place to take advantage of these to serve the energy needs […]
Government Contracting 101: Five Winning Tips!
By Bridget Bean Can you imagine your small business providing a key product or service to the Department of Navy, the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Agriculture? All of this can be a reality! The federal government spends more than $500 billion a year in contracts, making it the largest purchaser of goods […]
Why Did the Camel Cross the Road?: The Musings of an Expat from West Virginia
By J. Fernando Cevallos-Candau As a staff scientist with SABIC, a large petrochemical company based in Saudi Arabia, I live in a compound for western expatriates in the outskirts of Riyadh. At first, the compound appears to be located in Sing-Sing. It is surrounded by tall concrete walls with barbed wire on top; there are […]
First Responders and Alzheimer’s Disease
By Alan Fleming  People with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias pose a unique challenge to first responders. An emergency situation can create an emotionally catastrophic reaction in a person with Alzheimer’s. Whether they are the person that needs help or a bystander on the scene, people with Alzheimer’s require special attention. Because they thrive […]
Bridging the Gap: Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy
By Eric Mathis West Virginia has a long and proud tradition as a primary producer of the coal that powers our nation’s economy. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), West Virginia accounts for more than one-tenth of total U.S. coal production and coal-fired plants produce nearly all of the electricity generated in the state. […]
Green Savings
By Kelly Biemer Looking for a way to fund energy efficiency upgrades for your school, county or town without draining your budget? An energy savings agreement may be the answer. Five West Virginia towns—Beckley, Clarksburg, Martinsburg, Morgantown and Wheeling—have undertaken energy efficiency upgrades that will save more than $550,000 in utility costs and 4,400 metric […]