Thread by @Kenwardjr

Today, to complete a year-long partnership with @propublica, @wvgazettemail published a detailed look at what the natural gas boom in West Virginia looks, sounds and feels like for the residents who live with it every day.
projects.propublica.org/graphics/wva /1

Our story revealed the arcane system of property and mineral law that -- as currently enforced -- often allows gas companies to do whatever they want, wherever they want, as long as they have a lease to drill for natural gas beneath the land.
static.propublica.org/assets/wv-sigh… /2

Two disputes over these legal entanglements are now pending before the West Virginia state Supreme Court, a body that we’ve looked at closely this year because of some connections between justices and the natural gas industry
propublica.org/article/west-v… / 3

We’ve also uncovered weaknesses in West Virginia’s government ethics law that allow state lawmakers who work for or have financial interests in the natural gas industry to keep voting on bills that affect that industry
propublica.org/article/roger-… / 4

Our investigation explained how federal and state regulators are bending or even changing their own environmental rules to help natural gas pipelines win approval and be built, despite some court setbacks for their efforts on the industry’s behalf.
propublica.org/article/west-v… / 5

We explored how one of the nation’s largest coal companies, faced with a declining market share because of competition from low-priced natural gas, is funding a legal fight to stop construction of new natural gas-fired power plants.
propublica.org/article/jobs-a… / 6

Our whole investigation tried to ask questions about West Virginia’s relationship with the natural gas industry, and we found gas is taking the state down the same path as coal
propublica.org/article/west-v… / 7

We’re going to keep asking these questions. @katemishkin will continue covering natural gas, pipelines and environmental issues. What do you think is reasonably necessary for gas companies to do? Email us at [e-mail]. / 8

We are still listening and your stories still matter. / 9

Thanks to the folks who donate to @ProPublica (do so here: donate.propublica.org/give/141278/#!…) and who subscribe to @wvgazettemail (sign up now: wvgazettemail.com/subscriptions/…) for making it possible for us to do this important work. /end