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James Bruggers

James Bruggers

Reporter, Southeast

James Bruggers covers the U.S. Southeast, part of Inside Climate News’ National Environment Reporting Network. He previously covered energy and the environment for Louisville’s Courier Journal, where he worked as a correspondent for USA Today and was a member of the USA Today Network environment team. Before moving to Kentucky in 1999, Bruggers worked as a journalist in Montana, Alaska, Washington and California. Bruggers’ work has won numerous recognitions, including best beat reporting, Society of Environmental Journalists, and the National Press Foundation’s Thomas Stokes Award for energy reporting. He served on the board of directors of the SEJ for 13 years, including two years as president. He lives in Louisville with his wife, Christine Bruggers.

  • @jbruggers
  • [email protected]
Hunter Mullens is pictured inside a vehicle

As Trump Promotes ‘Clean Beautiful Coal,’ a  Lit Cigarette Above a West Virginia Coal Mine Leaves a Woman Fighting for Her Life

By James Bruggers

Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, founder and CEO of Dayenu, speaks at a Jewish climate action event in New York City on Sept. 12, 2021. Credit: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Green New Deal Network

Faith Leaders Push Back After EPA Head Disparages Climate Action as ‘Religion’

By James Bruggers

A view of homes along the Emory River near Kingston, Tennessee, following the TVA coal ash disaster in December 2008. Credit: Courtesy of Appalachian Voices/Dot Griffith with flight by Southwings

They Fell Sick After Cleaning Up a TVA Toxic Disaster. A New Book Details Their Legal Battle

By James Bruggers

Letitia Plummer, at-large Houston City Council member, speaks during an election forum in Houston on Sept. 21, 2023. Credit: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

In Houston, a City Council Member Questions ‘Advanced’ Recycling of Plastic and a City Collaboration with ExxonMobil

By James Bruggers

Guests listen as Chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso speaks during the opening of the fifth session of the U.N. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea on Nov. 25. Credit: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

As Efforts on a Global Treaty Stall, Cities and States Are on the Front Lines of the Battle Over Plastic Pollution

By James Bruggers

President-elect Donald Trump prays during a roundtable discussion with Latino community leaders at Trump National Doral Miami resort in Miami on Oct. 22. Credit: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

These Climate Advocates Are Tapping Their Spiritual Reservoirs to Continue Their Cause

By James Bruggers

Ecuador Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso speaks during the fourth session of the U.N. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC4) on April 23 in Ottawa, Canada. Credit: Dave Chan/AFP via Getty Images

Facing an Imminent Deadline, Nations Struggle to Agree on a Global Plastics Treaty 

By James Bruggers

W.M. Griffice died from injuries suffered in the explosion of his home above the Oak Grove mine in Alabama. Credit: Courtesy of the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office

Federal Regulators Inspect a Mine and the Site of a Fatal Home Explosion Above It

By Lee Hedgepeth, James Bruggers

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) gives a concession speech during an Election Night party on Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio. Brown lost his re-election bid to Republican Bernie Moreno. Credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

With Republicans Claiming the Senate and Possibly the House, Congress Expected to Reverse Course on Climate

By James Bruggers

The aftermath of a home explosion above Oak Grove Mine that killed W.M. Griffice in Adger, Ala. Credit: Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News

Federal Regulators Waited 7 Months to Investigate a Deadly Home Explosion Above a Gassy Coal Mine. Residents Want Action

By James Bruggers, Lee Hedgepeth

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) speaks during a news conference for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act on Feb. 11, 2020 in Washington, D.C. Credit: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

Voters Head to the Polls in a World Full of Plastic Pollution. What’s at Stake This Year?

By James Bruggers

People ride bicycles through storm debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton on Thursday in Englewood, Fla. Credit: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Florida Avoided the Worst of Milton’s Wrath, But Millions Are Suffering After the Second Hurricane in Two Weeks

By James Bruggers, Amy Green, Bob Berwyn, Dan Gearino, Kiley Bense

Chemical plants line the roads and suburbs of Cancer Alley, an area along the Mississippi River that stretches from New Orleans to Baton Rouge in Louisiana. Credit: Giles Clarke/Getty Images

Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Case Claiming Environmental Racism in Cancer Alley Zoning

By James Bruggers

Crimson Oak Grove Resources has a long history of safety violations, according to state and federal records. Credit: Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News

Coal Miner Dies at Alabama Mine With Dozens of Recent Safety Citations

By Lee Hedgepeth, James Bruggers

Plastic waste piles up along the bank of the San Gabriel River just a few hundred yards from the Pacific Ocean in Seal Beach, California, on Dec. 13, 2022. Credit: Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Alleging Decades of Lies, California Sues ExxonMobil Over Plastic Pollution Crisis

By James Bruggers

A view of the U.S. Steel plant in Gary, Indiana. Credit: Vincent D. Johnson/Inside Climate News

Biden Administration Backs Plastic as Coal Replacement to Make Steel. One Critic Asks: ‘Have They Lost Their Minds?’

By James Bruggers

Wright Waste Management in July. Credit: CBS News

Houston’s Plastic Waste, Waiting More Than a Year for ‘Advanced’ Recycling, Piles up at a Business Failed Three Times by Fire Marshal

By James Bruggers

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison settled with Walmart and Reynolds Consumer Products after a lawsuit he filed over some of their plastic bags. Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Minnesota Settles ‘Deceptive Environmental Marketing’ Lawsuit Over ‘Recycling’ Plastic Bags

By James Bruggers

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