The most valuable piece of equipment in a coalminer’s house is the portable oxygen tank.

Straight line winds, powerful as a hurricane, knocked out electricity in much of West Virginia June 29. More than a week later, residents without well water, toilets or, in some cases, food, turned to each other to resuscitate old skills at survival.

North Dakota is in the middle of an oil and gas boom. Great for employment. Great for the economy. But there is a downside to this rapid exploitation of a natural resource.