Coal company owned by U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, behind on clean-up deadlines and fines, faces contempt hearing on April 9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2025

CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org 

ABINGDON, Va. — A&G Coal Corporation is scheduled to appear before the U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia, in Abingdon, Virginia, on Wednesday, April 9, for a hearing concerning its failure to comply with the legally binding terms of a 2023 consent decree. 

The decree was intended to ensure timely reclamation of three massive, long-abandoned surface mines in Wise County, Virginia: Looney Ridge Surface Mine #1, Canepatch Surface Mine and Sawmill Hollow #3 Mine. Collectively, these mines comprise nearly 5,000 acres. 

A&G is behind on its reclamation deadlines, has failed to contribute to a required $600,000 reclamation escrow account, and has not paid stipulated penalties for its continued noncompliance to Upper Tennessee River Roundtable, a local watershed group. The company has also mined coal at one of the mines, which is prohibited under the consent decree once reclamation deadlines are missed.

The consent decree — entered as a settlement between A&G, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club — was designed to resolve ongoing violations under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and Virginia state mining laws. It laid out a clear timeline for restoring mined land and required financial accountability to protect surrounding communities and watersheds.

A&G — majority owned by U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, and managed by his son Jay — has claimed it does not possess sufficient funds to complete reclamation of these mines, but has not provided evidence to the court.

The hearing will be held at 2:30 p.m. on April 9 at the federal courthouse located at 180 W. Main St. in Abingdon.