Written by Willie Dodson
Willie Dodson
A Virginia native who now splits his time between Johnson City, Tenn., and Wise County, Va., Willie has organized with environmental and social justice campaigns in the region for more than a decade. He is Appalachian Voices' Central Appalachian Field Coordinator.
Blackjewel’s black lung problem
Bankrupt coal company Blackjewel owes nearly $10 million in taxes to the fund that provides benefits to miners with black lung disease whose employer has gone bankrupt.
KY plans to spend Abandoned Mine Land Pilot funds on a federal prison
The state of Kentucky intends to use Abandoned Mine Land Pilot funds to build water and sewer lines for a proposed federal prison, a project that does not support true economic renewal or justice.
Good – and not-so-good – mine reclamation projects
Congress has funded “pilot” projects to repurpose old coal sites in Appalachia for three years; the results show a clear need for a strong RECLAIM Act grounded in community-driven goals and environmental cleanup.
Community resists proposed strip mine in Ohio State Forest
The grassroots group Friends of Perry State Forest formed to fight a proposed 550-acre strip mine in Southeast Ohio’s Perry State Forest. A key public meeting is set for Feb. 26.
Underground mine blowout causes flood, property damage in Virginia
Accumulated water bursting out of one of CM Mining, LLC’s operations in Hurley, VA, causes flooding and property damage in nearby neighborhood.
Funding for Black Lung Benefits Halved
A tax on coal companies funding benefits for former miners with black lung disease was halved at the first of the year.
Cuts to funding for black lung benefits
Despite significant grassroots pressure, an excise tax that pays into a healthcare and disability fund for miners with black lung was slashed in half. The lack of action by Congress amounts to a tax break for coal companies while putting benefits for former miners and their families at risk.
Southwest Virginia group challenges surface mine proposed near UVA-Wise
The mining company’s executive is the former head of the corporation responsible for the 2004 mining accident that killed 3-year-old Jeremy Davidson.
Black lung survivors take their case to Congress
Residents of Southwest Virginia went to Washington, D.C., to tell Congress about the plight of their neighbors, friends, family members and other coal miners with black lung disease.
Public events at the Water Justice Summit in Blacksburg
The public is invited to a public art reception and an expert panel discussion in conjunction with the upcoming Water Justice Summit in Blacksburg this June. Check it out!
