Written by Dan Radmacher
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.
McCarthy’s debt ceiling proposal guts economic revitalization efforts in coal communities
Today, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled bill text for a proposal to lift the debt ceiling while significantly reducing funding for government programs. The proposal includes provisions to repeal advanced manufacturing tax credits and advanced energy tax credits enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, including bonus incentives for projects in “energy communities” designed to help communities impacted by coal mine closures and power plant closures recover and grow new clean energy job opportunities.
The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition to host webinar on latest impact report and projects supporting innovative mine reclamation
The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition will host a webinar presenting its latest report, “National to Neighborhoods: Catalyzing Opportunities for Coal-Impacted Communities.”
Groups File Legal Challenge to the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Biological Opinion
Today, environmental organizations filed a petition for review in federal court challenging a recently issued new biological opinion and incidental take statement under the Endangered Species Act for the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Lawsuit launched to protect endangered crayfish pushed to the brink of extinction by coal mining in Appalachia
The Center for Biological Diversity and Appalachian Voices filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failure to protect the endangered Guyandotte River crayfish and the threatened Big Sandy crayfish from coal mining pollution. Both species are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Biden Administration announces new actions to help energy communities take advantage of historic federal investments in clean energy
Today, the Biden Administration announced a series of actions intended to create jobs, opportunities and investments in energy communities, and to deploy clean energy projects on former mine lands. Appalachian Voices Executive Director Tom Cormons was invited to speak at the announcement.
Court vacates critical West Virginia water permit for Mountain Valley Pipeline
Today, a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit vacated the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Water Act § 401 certification for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, finding that the agency’s justification behind its conclusion that the pipeline would not violate the state’s water quality standards was deficient.
New film highlights West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina communities that helped stop pipeline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2023 CONTACT Jessica…
NEW REPORT: Benefits for coal miners with black lung falling behind
This morning, advocates for miners with black lung and their families released a new report detailing how black lung benefit payments have fallen far behind the cost of living, putting ailing miners and their dependents among the most at risk as inflation continues to rise.
Appalachian Voices urges Congress to pass Biden’s proposed investments in Appalachian coalfields
Today, President Joe Biden released his Fiscal Year 2024 budget to fund government programs through September 2024. The budget proposal includes crucial investments in programs to boost economic growth in the coalfields, ensure coal mine reclamation and protect miners from black lung disease.
Senators from Appalachian states request a federal study of whether black lung benefits are adequate
A study by the Government Accountability Office looking at the adequacy of current black lung benefits for miners and their families requested by U.S. senators should bolster ongoing efforts to improve those benefits.
