Coal River Mountain Watch continues to fight mountaintop removal coal mining in West Virginia. Alpha Natural Resources and its subsidiaries hold four active surface coal mining permits on Coal River Mountain that cover 5,600 acres.
Monthly Archives: February 2017
Virginia Uranium Mining Ban Lawsuit Continues
Lawyers for the company Virginia Uranium are seeking permission to mine for the element despite a current ban in the state.
Fracking and Natural Gas Updates
Studies have found that fracking waste can have have a negative impact on water quality and that noise from fracking can have negative health impacts. A federal agency is considering allowing oil and gas companies to harm endangered bats.
Appalachian Festivals
Festival season is about to get underway in Appalachia. Here is selection of the upcoming festivals and gatherings in the region.
Miners’ Benefits at Stake in Washington
Efforts to protect miners’ pensions and health benefits are in the hands of members of Congress.
Appalachian Voices welcomes new faces to team
Appalachian Voices welcomes two team members to our Norton, Va., office, as well as a new member to our Board of Directors.
Surface Mining Banned in 75,000 Acres of Tennessee, But New Mine Proposed
In December 2016, mountaintop removal coal mining was banned from 75,000 acres in East Tennessee. Yet other mining permits continue to be issued.
Regional Coal Ash News
Community and environmental groups in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee continue to push for clean up of the coal ash in their areas and for access to clean water provided.
RECLAIM Act Advances in Congress
U.S. senators and representatives are expected to re-introduce the RECLAIM Act, a bipartisan bill that would direct $1 billion to clean up abandoned mine sites and repurpose them for an economically beneficial use.
Serving Residents Through Energy Savings
Appalachian State University students volunteered for the MLK challenge and provided energy efficiency upgrades for residents in the Boone area.
