Cooper McKim
Cooper McKim has reported for NPR stations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and now Wyoming. In South Carolina, he covered recovery efforts from a devastating flood in 2015. Throughout his time, he produced breaking news segments and short features for national NPR. Cooper recently graduated from Tufts University with degrees in Environmental Policy and Music. He's an avid jazz piano player, backpacker, and podcast listener.
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The bipartisan infrastructure bill includes the largest ever federal investment in carbon capture. Coal states hope it could prolong fossil-fuel use, which is why many environmental groups oppose it.
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The country's largest coal producing state is desperate to keep the struggling industry going. Wyoming is investing big to try to clean up coal's carbon emissions, even as many say it's too late.
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Gillette, Wyo. once produced 40% of all U.S. coal, but is now losing half its jobs as coal demand plummets. A nearby town survived a bust in the 1950s and offers lessons.
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In the past year, utilities have shifted away from coal at near historic rates, a trend that may accelerate as more states push for cleaner energy. Now some lawmakers are stepping in to try and slow down this shift.
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A judge has confirmed that yet another bankrupt coal company can end health benefits for hundreds of retired miners and their families. Congress is again weighing whether to help them.
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One industry that's been a key supporter of President Trump is no fan of the federal shutdown. Oil and gas drilling is booming, but much of it is on federal land and some worry about a slowdown.
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The Trump administration is rolling back regulations on methane, saying that should be left to states. So Wyoming is stepping in with its own proposal, which even some oil and gas companies support.
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Universities and ranch land advocates are offering estate planning classes to ranchers with a goal of saving their land from redevelopment. -
Western lawmakers and members of Congress are pushing to change the Endangered Species Act. They want states to have more control over which animals and plants the act protects.
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Historical documents across the country are facing an issue other than age: An effort to preserve them decades ago is hastening the documents' demise.
