Written by Thom Kay
Thom Kay
AV's Legislative Director, Thom spends his days between Durham, NC and Washington D.C., knee deep in politics and legislation, working to persuade decision-makers to protect Appalachian communities from mountaintop removal and to invest in a new economy for the region. He is the least outdoorsy person at Appalachian Voices, and he's just fine with that.
A way forward for Appalachia
Our legislative director outlines a list of action items for the Biden administration — suspending utility shutoffs during the pandemic, strengthening oversight of the fossil fuel industry, and moving swiftly to support just economic transition in coal-impacted communities.
Charting paths forward for coal communities
For communities that depended on coal, the pandemic is exacerbating an already-urgent set of interlocking problems. Two regional coalitions have released plans to chart a brighter future for communities hit hardest by the changing coal economy.
Congress Needs to Pass the RECLAIM Act
Politicians like to talk about helping rural Appalachia. The RECLAIM Act is a chance for them to show that they mean it.
Pass the RECLAIM Act
Politicians like to talk about helping rural Appalachia. The RECLAIM Act is a chance for them to show that they mean it.
Federal spending bill: Some good, and bad news for Appalachia
Congress included funding for several programs important for Appalachian communities, but failed to include the critical RECLAIM Act.
Spending Bill Sustains Appalachian Programs
While the federal budget includes funding for programs like the Appalachian Regional Commission, the bill omitted the RECLAIM Act.
RECLAIM Act Passes House Natural Resources Committee
The RECLAIM Act would accelerate the cleanup of abandoned mines while spurring economic opportunities in coal communities.
White House budget leaves Appalachia in the dust
The White House released its budget blueprint last week, and the proposal is nothing short of a disaster for Appalachia and rural communities across the country. Here’s a look at a few agencies and programs the White House wants to completely eliminate if it had its way.
Congress must act to protect coal miners’ benefits
In a matter of weeks, health care benefits for thousands of retired union coal miners will run out. In just a matter of years, the entire United Mine Workers pension plan, which covers nearly 90,000 former coal miners and their widows, may become insolvent.
America’s miners deserve better than this; time to do your part
America owes a debt to the nation’s coal miners. The Miners Protection Act would begin to pay that debt, but the opportunity for Congress to pass the bill is quickly slipping away.
