Yesterday the Biden administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that it finalized a rule to protect miners from respirable silica — a significant driver of the resurgence of black lung disease in Central Appalachia.
Blog Archives
Appalachian Voices sees a missed opportunity with new rule to protect miners from black lung disease
TAGS: Black Lung Mine Safety and Health Administration National Black Lung Association silica dust silica rule
SWVA advocates urge Congress to fight for investments to tackle growing black lung crisis
With coal miners in Southwestern Virginia facing an epidemic as black lung disease hits unprecedented levels and 1 in 5 veteran coal miners in Central Appalachia now suffer from the disease, advocates today called on Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and Sens. Warner and Kaine, D-Va. to prioritize investments in taking care of miners in the 2025 federal budget.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act National Black Lung Association Rep. Morgan Griffith
‘A moral imperative:’ Two bills would support miners with black lung and their families
Dec. 13 was a day that Vonda Robinson had been waiting over three years for. On that day, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., introduced the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center appropriations Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act National Black Lung Association Rep. Morgan McGarvey Sen. Bob Casey silica rule
Legislators & advocates highlight major black lung legislation & fight back against attacks on new silica dust rule
This afternoon, lawmakers and advocates for miners with black lung called on Congress to pass major legislation during a virtual press conference. Leaders from the National Black Lung Association, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and Appalachian Voices were joined by U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), who announced the introduction of the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2023, which would ease the process for families of deceased miners to apply for black lung benefits, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a lead sponsor for the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, which would help miners access the benefits they deserve.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center appropriations Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act National Black Lung Association Rep. Morgan McGarvey Sen. Bob Casey silica rule
RESCHEDULED: Advocates Urge Congress to Advance Major Black Lung Legislation & Halt Attacks on New Silica Dust Rule
Next week, lawmakers and advocates for miners with black lung will discuss major new black lung legislation — including the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act introduced today — during a virtual press conference.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center appropriations Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act National Black Lung Association Rep. Morgan McGarvey Sen. Bob Casey silica rule
5,200+ comments from across the country support strengthening silica dust rule as comment period concludes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2023 CONTACT Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, 202-904-9187 COAL COUNTRY – Last night at midnight EST, the 45-day comment period on the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s draft rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable…
Miners, advocates voice their concerns about MSHA’s proposed silica rule
Coal miners and black lung advocates filled several back rows of the auditorium at the Mine Safety and Health Administration Academy just outside of Beckley, West Virginia, on the morning of Aug. 10th to provide comments on the agency’s draft rule to protect miners from respirable silica dust.
TAGS: Black Lung Mine Safety and Health Administration National Black Lung Association silica dust silica rule
Miners, advocates speak out during silica rule hearing
During a public hearing held today in Beckley, West Virginia, a number of coal miners and advocates spoke out in support of strengthened silica dust exposure standards proposed by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration in response to an epidemic of new black lung cases among coal miners while highlighting areas where the proposed rule could be improved.
TAGS: National Black Lung Association silica dust silica rule U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration
Appalachian senators introduce bill to support families of deceased miners
Today, Sens. Mark Warner (VA), Tim Kaine (VA), Joe Manchin (WV), Sherrod Brown (OH), Bob Casey (PA) and John Fetterman (PA) introduced legislation to ease the process for families of deceased miners to apply for black lung benefits. Surviving dependents can apply to receive black lung benefits after a miner’s death, but filing for benefits is complex and burdensome.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung National Black Lung Association Relief for Survivors of Miners Act Sen. Joe Manchin Sen. John Fetterman Sen. Mark Warner Sen. Sherrod Brpwm. Sen. Bob Casey Sen. Tim Kaine
Advocates, coal miners applaud progress towards new silica dust rule
Today, the Biden Administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a long-delayed draft rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica — the principal cause of the resurgence of deadly black lung disease.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung Mine Safety and Health Administration National Black Lung Association ReImagine Appalachia silica dust
