Stakeholder Engagement
We travelled around the region speaking with various stakeholders to gain background information about the pipeline and its effects on society. Although this information was not used in our methodology or data, it was critical in influencing the way we thought about the Mountain Valley Pipeline and the project as a whole. Our primary goal was to cater our research questions to stakeholders so our findings could be useful.
Appalachian Culture Lecture
Dr. Theresa Burriss, Chair of Appalachian Studies at Radford University, came to Virginia Tech to speak with us. She outlined Appalachian culture including the diverse backgrounds of people in the region, the importance of place, stereotypes, and the history of coal in the region.
Mothers for Water Justice Summit
We attended a panel led by four activists who have worked to oppose pipelines due to their threat on water supply. This panel was part of a weekend summit at Virginia Tech educating citizens on water issues in Appalachia and internationally.
CNX Resources Corporation
We were given the unique opportunity to tour the CNX natural gas plant in Buchanan County, VA and learn about fracking and natural gas production. We toured both the office building and the fracking site.
Indigenous Perspective Hike
Dr. Jeff Kirwan and Dr. Sam Cook led a hike through the historic Stadium Woods forest. We learned about indigenous perspectives with regards to American industrial development and land rights, and conservation.
Extension Talks
Dr. Erin Ling and Dr. Amber Vallotton spoke with us about the role and importance of extension in land grant institutions. They helped us brainstorm how the information we find would be valuable to stakeholders.
PDF link to poster
New River Valley Regional Planning Commission (NRVRC)
We learned about the NRVRC and the services they provide to members, how they build relationships and trust, and their role connecting local, state, and federal governments.
Beckley WV, Day Trip
We travelled to Beckley, WV to learn about the coal industry and its importance in the history of Appalachia, as well as how its decline has affected the rise of the natural gas industry.
Flint Water Crisis Lecture
Dr. Marc Edwards from Virginia Tech gave a lecture about his role in being the lead scientist investigating the Flint water crisis. He examined the difficulty of pursuing truth in a ”post-truth” society.
Floyd County Day Trip
We travelled to Floyd County, VA on to learn about the culture and speak with Theresa “Red” Terry, one of the tree-sitters who protested the pipeline.
CAVE EXPLORATION
To better understand the karst geology of the region and the potential effects of the MVP, the REEU team went on a guided cave expedition in Montgomery County.