Blog Archives

New report shows alarming lack of mine cleanup progress in Kentucky

A recent study found that nearly 40% of the “active” surface permits in Kentucky have been sitting idle for the last five years. The coal companies responsible for those mine permits did not produce any coal, nor did they make any progress in cleaning up the sites.

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Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition report shows how mine cleanup can boost local economies

A photo of the Dante Steam building.

The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition recently released its 2023 report, “National to Neighborhoods: Catalyzing Opportunities for Coal-Impacted Communities.” The report highlights the coalition’s current work and projects across the Appalachian coalfields of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.

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Final Stage of Blue Grass Chemical Weapons Cleanup Underway

The Blue Grass Chemical-Agent Destruction Pilot Plant began destroying the last type of chemical weapons stored at an Army depot in Kentucky in July with a completion date scheduled for September 2023.

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Online tool helps track status of mine ownership in aftermath of Blackjewel bankruptcy

The fate of thousands of acres of mines requiring tens of millions of dollars of reclamation was thrown into doubt when Blackjewel, Revelation Energy and affiliated mining operations filed for bankruptcy in July 2019.

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New tool helps track large number of mine permits set to be voided in Blackjewel bankruptcy

mountaintop removal coal mine

Appalachian Voices has created a web page designed to help concerned residents, reporters and regulators track the status of mines caught up in the Blackjewel bankruptcy where the permits will become void once the Blackjewel companies cease to exist at the end of the year.

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Kentucky Seeks Input on Bacteria in Streams

licking river

The Kentucky Division of Water is accepting public comments through Sept. 3 on their draft plan to address high levels of harmful bacteria in the Licking River and Salt River basins.

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Regulators decide on Kentucky Power’s third rate hike in five years

Although the Kentucky Public Service Commission denied the utility’s original request for a 25 percent rate increase, the body approved a rate hike of 12.5 percent for residential customers.

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Coalition highlights community projects to restore, redevelop old coal sites in Appalachia

Norton, VA — A coalition of groups in Central Appalachia today issued its third annual report highlighting innovative projects that will clean up abandoned coal mine lands and brownfields in six states and give them new life as solar energy

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New Preserve on Pine Mountain Connects Protected Areas

Warbler Ridge Preserve

The Kentucky Natural Lands Trust established the Warbler Ridge Preserve in December, forming a nearly 2,500-acre protected area on Pine Mountain.

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Who Cleans Up Environmental Mess Bankrupt Coal Leaves Behind?

As more coal companies file for bankruptcy, it remains unclear what will happen to hundreds of thousands of acres of unreclaimed mine land in eastern Kentucky and the rest of Appalachia.

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