Pipelines Creating Increasing Safety Concerns in Appalachia

On this week’s show, we hear how the natural gas industry is affecting communities in the region. We feature a special report by The Allegheny Front about environmental concerns surrounding the production and transportation of natural gas.  Hundreds of miles of new pipelines are in the works to move natural gas from the shale formations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio to markets across the country. 

The Department of Energy predicts Pennsylvania and Ohio will nearly double their natural gas production by 2030. Currently, there are 300,000 miles of these lines in the U.S. And many residents who live in the path of these new pipelines are asking if they should be worried about accidents.

What’s in a Name?
Also in this episode- we explore the story behind a town that got its name for the wild character of its residents. Listen to the show to hear more.
Appetite Appalachia
There’s a growing trend in Appalachian cuisine but there could be downside. Every few years, Appalachian food gets “rediscovered” by mainstream media outlets as an up-and-coming culinary trend. But does that interest actually benefit those of who actually live here as we navigate away from a coal-fueled economy? WFPL’s Ashlie Stevens looked at the pros, and cons, of the outside attention to Appalachia’s other natural resource.