Coalitions of Appalachian leaders and advocates urge Congress to back investments in economic development, flood recovery, miner health and mine reclamation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2027
Contact:
Trey Pollard – trey@pollardcommunications.com – 202-904-9187
APPALACHIA — As Appalachian communities work to find a path forward amid massive federal cuts and dangerous policy rollbacks, dozens of local and regional organizations formally called on congressional appropriators to recommit to stabilizing, job-creating investments in the region. Letters sent earlier this month to the chairs and ranking members of the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations committees are bringing attention to the urgent need to refocus in Fiscal Year 2027 on building economic development, disaster recovery and resilience, mine reclamation and public health momentum in Appalachia amid the crushing impact of cuts to social programs implemented through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” as well as Trump administration funding rescissions, grant cancellations, and agency staffing cuts paired with the continued long-term decline of the coal mining industry.
“Now is not the time to cut funding to bedrock programs that provide fundamental services to rural Appalachia — a region that has historically been left behind to bear the impacts of America’s fossil-fueled economy,” said Dan Shaffer, Executive Director of the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance. “Our energy bills are only the costs that we, the end users, see. The true costs of our system are far greater, and it is long past time we admit who has been paying those costs and provide them with at least the most basic support.”
Coalitions sent four letters to Appropriations leadership. In the most sweeping call to action, 62 organizations delivered a demand for renewed community, workforce and economic development, including:
- Billions in investments in flood resilience and risk analysis programs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
- New resources for national and community service organizations like Americorps that support local economic and environmental revitalization projects across Appalachia;
- Basic support for children and families in the region through nutrition programs, low-income heating assistance initiatives and housing investments;
- Defending job-creating sustainable manufacturing investments in the region;
- Restoring and reinvigorating support for abandoned mine land reclamation and research to prevent black lung disease;
- Investments in programs like the Economic Development Administration, the Community Development Financial Institution Fund, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development programs and the Appalachian Regional Commission to create jobs and award grants and other funding for efforts that help communities bolster innovation, competitiveness and economic development.
“The Keystone Development Center recognizes that communities in Appalachia need protection and support to access opportunities for economic security and community revitalization, and calls on the federal government to appropriately prioritize these measures,” said Noemi Giszpenc, Executive Director of the Keystone Development Center.
Three other letters focused more specifically on certain key policy areas: flood resiliency and recovery, mine reclamation and investments focused on preventing and researching black lung disease.
“Congress has a responsibility to adequately fund and staff the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for the benefit of coal communities across the country,” said Kevin Zedack, Government Affairs Specialist with Appalachian Voices. “OSMRE should be protecting coal communities from dangerous mine pollution by limiting the impacts of current coal mining on our land, air and water and reclaiming abandoned mine lands. As the Trump administration advocates for more coal mining, we need a strong federal partner to hold the coal industry to its legal obligations.”
“Devastating floods are impacting Appalachia multiple times a year,” said Rebecca Shelton, Director of Policy for Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center. “We need to be ramping up our investments in recovery and mitigation, not cutting them. You cannot rebuild an economy in a region that has to focus over and over again on disaster recovery.”
“As millions of households struggle to make ends meet, Congress must create a stable foundation for children, workers and families for basic needs like getting food on the table and paying utility bills,” said Dana Kuhnline, Program Director for ReImagine Appalachia. “At the same time, we need to continue funding for economic development opportunities so that economically distressed communities can create jobs, boost economies and build resilience. Appalachia has the local leadership ready to roll up our sleeves and rebuild our economy. We know what needs to be done. But we can not do that without a funded and functional federal government.”
In previous years, congressional action has followed similar calls to action from Appalachian coalitions. For FY 2026, major proposed cuts to Americorps, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Community Development Financial Institution Fund and Appalachian Regional Commission investments were avoided after a push by many of the same organizations.
Still, last year’s federal funding cancellations and cuts have left local governments and organizations across Appalachia scrambling for answers and resources. The Trump administration’s cuts have decimated relief and recovery efforts of all kinds across Appalachia. This includes FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which has been paused by the Trump administration. This popular program supported infrastructure and capacity-building for flood prevention.
Amid an increase in black lung diagnoses, epidemiologists and staff who specialize in researching and screening for the disease were laid off as the Trump administration continues to delay the implementation of life-saving protections from silica dust. Funding cuts and drastic staffing losses at the Office of Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Enforcement threaten efforts to reclaim and restore abandoned mines and keep current mines from polluting coal communities across the country. As House and Senate leadership is expected to finalize budget legislation in the coming months, advocates point to the appropriations process as a key place to champion our Appalachian priorities and secure critical funding for the health and well-being of our communities.
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