

James Bruggers
Reporter, Southeast, National Environment Reporting Network
James Bruggers covers the U.S. Southeast, part of ICN’s 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.


Does Another Plastics Plant in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ Make Sense? A New Report Says No
By James Bruggers

A Bankruptcy Judge Lets Blackjewel Shed Coal Mine Responsibilities in a Case With National Implications
By James Bruggers

A Single Chemical Plant in Louisville Emits a Super-Pollutant That Does More Climate Damage Than Every Car in the City
By Phil McKenna, James Bruggers

Blackjewel’s Bankruptcy Filing Is a Harbinger of Trouble Ahead for the Plummeting Coal Industry
By James Bruggers

A Legacy of the New Deal, Electric Cooperatives Struggle to Democratize and Make a Green Transition
By James Bruggers

A Decade Into the Fracking Boom, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia Haven’t Gained Much, a Study Says
By James Bruggers

‘We Need to Be Bold,’ Biden Says, Taking the First Steps in a Major Shift in Climate Policy
By Marianne Lavelle, Agya K. Aning, Dan Gearino, David Hasemyer, James Bruggers, Katie Surma, Kristoffer Tigue, Phil McKenna

Coal Communities Across the Nation Want Biden to Fund an Economic Transition to Clean Power
By James Bruggers

Biden Signs Sweeping Orders to Tackle Climate Change and Rollback Trump’s Anti-Environment Legacy
By Sabrina Shankman, Dan Gearino, David Hasemyer, James Bruggers, Judy Fahys, Marianne Lavelle, Phil McKenna

The Senate’s New Point Man on Climate Has Been the Democrats’ Most Fossil Fuel-Friendly Senator
By James Bruggers

In Georgia Senate Race, Warnock Brings a History of Black Faith Leaders’ Environmental Activism
By James Bruggers

The Atlantic Hurricane Season Typically Brings About a Dozen Storms. This Year It Was 30
By James Bruggers, Bob Berwyn

Biden Put Climate at the Heart of His Campaign. Now He’s Delivered Groundbreaking Nominees
By James Bruggers, David Hasemyer, Judy Fahys, Marianne Lavelle

In Georgia, Buffeted by Hurricanes and Drought, Climate Change Is on the Ballot
By James Bruggers

The First African American Cardinal Is a Climate Change Leader
By James Bruggers

Senate 2020: The Loeffler-Warnock Senate Runoff in Georgia Offers Extreme Contrasts on Climate
By James Bruggers
