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.

No MVP Southgate darker. Art by Jan Burger

MVP developer submits Joint Permit Application for Southgate pipeline

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission posted Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s Joint Permit Application for its proposed methane gas pipeline “Southgate.”

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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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Overhead of coal mine

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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This stretch of the South Fork of Cherry River is surrounded by South Fork Coal Company's surface mining operations. The brown hue to the water is caused by elevated sediment in the river. Photo by Willie Dodson

Bankrupt coal company cited for releasing ‘sludge’ into West Virginia’s Gauley River watershed

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued its latest notice of violation against South Fork Coal Company, the bankrupt mining firm operating a 3,600-acre surface mining complex in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, on March 24. The citation was issued for “iron staining and sludge deposits” in Becky Run caused by the company’s Lost Flats #2 Surface Mine.

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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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