The Front Porch Blog, with Updates from AppalachiaThe Front Porch Blog, with Updates from Appalachia

Crowded lame duck session in D.C. brings dangers and opportunities for Appalachian communities

Thursday, December 8th, 2022 | Posted by Chelsea Barnes | No Comments

With just a few weeks remaining in this session of Congress, we're fighting one alarming bill, working to pass two positive measures, and urging the Senate to confirm key appointments. Our Legislative Director Chelsea Barnes shares what's happening on Capitol Hill. [ Read More ]


Congress considers bills to address coal mining impacts at June hearing

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022 | Posted by Erin Savage | 1 Comment

During a recent U.S. House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing, Erin Savage of Appalachian Voices and two other Appalachian residents testified about acid mine drainage, abandoned mine sites and the impacts of ongoing mountaintop removal coal mining. [ Read More ]


Webinar series to explore coal impacts and just transition issues

Thursday, March 17th, 2022 | Posted by Chelsea Barnes | No Comments

Appalachian Voices is working with our partners in the RECLAIM Coalition to put on a series of educational webinars this spring that will take an in-depth look at a number of issues related to coal mine cleanup and economic transition in coal-impacted communities. [ Read More ]


Congress: Now is the moment to clean up acid mine drainage

Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments

Congress can clean up orange water by removing red tape. Join the efforts of community leaders across the country and tell Congress to let states use their infrastructure funding for acid mine drainage treatment! [ Read More ]


Cleaning up mines owned by Gov. Justice and his family would create hundreds of jobs

Thursday, November 18th, 2021 | Posted by Willie Dodson | No Comments

There is enough outstanding reclamation liability on coal mines owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and/or his adult children to employ 220 to 460 workers for five years, according to our report. Nearly 34,000 acres of Justice-family mines across five states are in need of some degree of environmental cleanup. [ Read More ]


Historic investments in Abandoned Mine Land Program a win for coal-impacted communities

Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 | Posted by Willie Dodson | No Comments

Congress has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes the reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land Program and the largest-ever investment in abandoned coal mine cleanup! Now they must pass the Build Back Better Act to invest in workers, families and clean energy. [ Read More ]


Restoring waters damaged by acid mine drainage: A conversation with Amanda Pitzer

Monday, November 1st, 2021 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments

Amanda Pitzer with Friends of the Cheat discusses the specific impacts of acid mine drainage on the Cheat River, analyzes abandoned mine lands funding pending before Congress and charts a path for future success in collaboration with state and federal decision-makers. [ Read More ]


Confronting acid mine drainage: A conversation with Rural Action’s Marissa Lautzenheiser

Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments

In this conversation, Marissa Lautzenheiser of Rural Action lays out the basics of the acid mine drainage challenge, discusses the unique funding needs for AMD clean-up, and talks about some of the innovative work Rural Action is doing to tackle this problem. [ Read More ]


Tell White House officials that coal mine cleanup must be a priority

Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments

Insufficient bonding systems and decades of poor enforcement of mine reclamation law have led to a severe backlog in abandoned mines — and a new wave of coal bankruptcies is exacerbating the problem. [ Read More ]


Blackjewel mine creates emergency road hazard in Russell County, VA

Thursday, September 9th, 2021 | Posted by Willie Dodson | 1 Comment

Heavy rains caused debris from an inactive coal mine to block portions of VA State Route 632 in late August — an event that might become all too common with climate change-fueled rainfall likely to intensify. [ Read More ]


Miners with black lung call on Congress to protect benefits

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments

In an August webinar, advocates and representatives of the Black Lung Association discussed the critical importance for the passage of a permanent 25% increase to the Black Lung Excise Tax on coal companies. [ Read More ]


Senate passes victory for abandoned mine lands – On to the House for improvements

Tuesday, August 10th, 2021 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments

The Senate just passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes the LARGEST-EVER investment in abandoned mine land clean-up. Now we need the House to pass this bill with a few small changes that will make a big difference for local communities. [ Read More ]



 

 


Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube