“IBM recognizes the importance of public/private collabo-
ration in shaping fast paths for service members to gain skills
necessary for the ‘new collar’ jobs of tomorrow. As a West
Virginia employer, we are proud to partner with the West
Virginia Army National Guard to provide training opportuni-
ties for our service members,” says Timi Hadra, IBM senior
state executive for West Virginia.
2017 Babst Calland Report Focuses on the
Resurgence of the Appalachian Shale Gas Industry
The law firm of Babst Calland has released its seventh annual
energy industry report entitled “The 2017 Babst Calland Report—
Upstream, Midstream and Downstream: Resurgence of the Ap-
palachian Shale Industry; Legal and Regulatory Perspective for
Producers and Midstream Operators.” This annual review of
shale gas development activity acknowledges the continuing
evolution of this industry in the face of economic, regulatory,
legal and local government challenges.
The 74-page report contains six sections addressing key
challenges for oil and gas producers and midstream operators:
Business Issues—Adapting to the New Price Environment; State
and Federal Governments Remain Active in a Changing Regula-
tory Landscape; Pipeline Safety Legislative and Regulatory De-
velopments Continue to Shape the Industry; Litigation Trends;
Local Government Law and Regulations Continue to Spawn
Debate and Legal Challenges; and Downstream Opportunities.
“This report provides perspective on the challenges and op-
portunities of a resurging shale gas industry in the Appalachian
90
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
Basin, including the divergence of federal and state policy that
creates more uncertainty for industry; increased special interest
opposition groups on new issues and forums despite their lack
of success in the courts; and the expansion from drilling to
midstream development and now to downstream manufactur-
ing that demonstrates the emergence of a more diverse energy
economy,” says Joseph Reinhart, shareholder and co-chair of
Babst Calland’s Energy and Natural Resources Group.
Pierpont Awarded Scholarships Eliminating
Completion Barriers in Coal-Impacted Communities
Pierpont Community & Technical College has been awarded
student scholarships for Career Online High School tuition by
Jobs for the Future (JFF), an Appalachian Regional Commis-
sion POWER Initiative grantee, and Cengage, an education
and technology company, in an effort to eliminate high school
completion barriers for youth and adults who lack a secondary
credential. The goal of the partnership is to help individuals in
coal-impacted communities enter or advance in information
technology, energy and aerospace careers.
“This is wonderful news for our region and Pierpont,” says
Rachel Plybon Beach, assistant professor of applied design and
Pierpont’s applied design program coordinator. “It presents a
great opportunity to provide a 21st century approach to West
Virginians for completing levels in education. Our collabora-
tion with ARC, Cengage and JFF also provides pathways to im-
mediate jobs or continuing on to community college, definitely
raising our hopes for enhancing our quality of life.”