Progressive Marine veteran seeks to reshape West Virginia politics

In a bid to challenge the coal industry's grip on West Virginia, Zach Shrewsbury, a Marine Corps veteran and community organizer, has launched his U.S. Senate campaign.

Dan Kaufman reports for The New Yorker.

In short:

Shrewsbury's campaign follows a populist approach, emphasizing job creation over coal reliance, seeking to pivot to renewable energy sources.
His grassroots strategy includes extensive traveling across West Virginia, engaging directly with voters and distributing essential supplies.
The political landscape is marked by a decline in union influence and the rise of Republican dominance attributed to economic grievances and industrial decline.

Key quote:

"I am of the working class. I am from our home. And I will fight for the everyday West Virginian."

— Zach Shrewsbury, U.S. Senate candidate

Why this matters:

Shrewsbury's campaign is poised to stir significant debate on the state's economic future, especially as environmental concerns grow and the demand for sustainable energy sources becomes more urgent.

www.newyorker.com

Progressive Marine veteran seeks to reshape West Virginia politics

‘It fully changed my life!’ How young rewilders transformed a farm – and began a movement

How China silences environmental reporters beyond its borders

This former oil worker is now exposing dirty methane emissions

The secret to tackling the climate crisis could be right under our feet. Here’s why

How batteries, not natural gas, can power the data center boom

Donald Trump exempts coal in steelmaking from Clean Air Act

Republican split widens as Texas regulator bashes carbon capture

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.