The decline of the coal industry is exacerbating failures of the current federal system to ensure that mines are cleaned up.
Blog Archives
Mine Cleanup Concerns Grow As Industry Declines
TAGS: coal bankruptcy coal decline coal slurry impoundment mine cleanup mine reclamation Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
Covid’s impact on coal sharpens the pandemic’s economic hardships
Even before the pandemic, a growing number of coal companies were declaring bankruptcy — and now the decades-long decline of coal is in a nosedive. This will leave already-shortchanged coalfield communities even less money to deal with decades of damage to people’s health and the environment.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands AML reauthorization Black Lung Disability Trust Fund Coal coal decline coal production covid-19 Economy just transition
“Environmentalist” Tom Clarke abandons mines in West Virginia
With the failure of coal operator ERP’s unconventional scheme, West Virginia must contend with the company’s environmental violations and mines in need of cleanup.
TAGS: coal bankruptcy coal decline mine reclamation tom clarke West Virginia WV Department of Environmental Protection
A Finite Frontier: Facing the Future of Central Appalachian Coal
By Brian Sewell On Sept.18, Appalachian coal mining giant Alpha Natural Resources announced it would idle eight mines and lay off 400 employees in the first phase of a “strategic repositioning” plan designed to meet the evolving demands of a…
TAGS: Alpha Natural Resources Coal coal decline coal employment coal production Duke Energy Economic Transition Energy Information Administration Progress Energy War on Coal West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy
Where is our National Media? — Editorial
I know rants about this particular point have appeared widespread in independent publications, but The Appalachian Voice has avoided weighing in. Now it’s time to go there. IS mainstream media on vacation? The most well-known story of late conspicuous in…
Congressional Hearing on Stream Buffer Zone Neglects Residents
By Jamie Goodman On Sept. 26, a Congressional hearing took place in Charleston, W.Va. to discuss proposed revisions to the controversial stream buffer zone rule designed to further protect waterways in Appalachia. Conducted by Representatives Doug Lamborn (R-CO) and Shelley…
TAGS: cancer Central Appalachia coal decline Coal Report Mountaintop Removal MSHA Office of Surface Mining Powder River Basin Stream Buffer Zone West Virginia Coal Association
