Written by Dan Radmacher

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Dan Radmacher

Dan is Appalachian Voice's Media Specialist. Previously, he worked as an opinion journalist for newspapers in Illinois, West Virginia, Florida and Virginia, and then as a communications consultant for a number of environmental nonprofit organizations.

Mountain Valley Pipeline segment in Virginia

Diminishing environmental reviews would endanger public health, safety and the environment

Yesterday, the Department of Interior announced plans to weaken environmental reviews to under a month for a wide range of energy projects, including coal, oil and gas production, transmission and more, by setting unachievable and arbitrary deadlines for completion.

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SCC considers whether to accept Dominion’s long-term plan

On behalf of its client, Appalachian Voices, the Southern Environmental Law Center presented the testimony of three experts, ultimately recommending that the commission reject Dominion’s plan.

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North Carolina Utilities Commission holds public hearing to review Duke Energy’s plans for second new gas plant in northern Person County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 17, 2025 CONTACTJuhi Modi, North…

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Hear the Pound, Virginia, BAD Buildings final report

Partners from West Virginia University’s BAD (Brownfields, Abandoned, Dilapidated) Building Program have devised a comprehensive overview of Pound’s buildings in need based on a 2023 program involving residents of town of Pound, Appalachian Voices, WVU Bad Buildings and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

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American Rivers names Gauley River to America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2025, due to toxic coal mining pollution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 16, 2025 CONTACTHawk Hammer, National…

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Solar Summit Logo placed over a background that includes a large solar array on a hillside.

Inaugural Southwest Virginia Solar Summit

This May, the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia is hosting the inaugural Solar Virginia Solar Summit for residents and local governments of Southwest Virginia.

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Miners and advocates gather at a hearing on silica dust in Beckley, WV.

Assault on coal miners continues as MSHA halts enforcement of life-saving silica dust safeguard

Today, the Trump administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced it was temporarily halting enforcement of new life-saving measures that prevent deadly silica dust exposure among miners.

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

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. 

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The NIOSH mobile testing unit provides free, confidential black lung screenings for miners. Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Trump administration cutting vital health and safety services for miners

Coal miners, families and advocates were still trying to figure out what the termination of leases for dozens of Mine Safety and Health Administration offices by Elon Musk’s DOGE meant for the work of mine safety inspectors when even worse news came.

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Black Lung Awareness Day at the West Virginia Capitol

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, coal miners and their families from across West Virginia’s coal-producing communities will gather at the Capitol building for Black Lung Awareness Day.

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