Written by Willie Dodson
Willie Dodson
A Virginia native, Willie has organized with environmental and social justice campaigns in the region for more than a decade. He is Appalachian Voices' Coal Impacts Program Manager.
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!
Alpha Natural Resources wants to use Coal River Mountain as a tire dump
The case of Republic Energy makes it clear that the deck is still stacked in favor of the coal industry. But that has never dissuaded Coal River Mountain Watch from challenging the industry and the agencies that enable it.
Coal River Mountain is not a dump
Proposed revisions to the Collins Fork Permit do not meet any reclamation standards set forth to restore ecosystems, forests or garner resources for the community.
Mine Violations Continue in Raleigh County, WV
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation to the operators of Collins Fork Surface Mine in February.
Opposition to Proposed Tennessee Mountaintop Removal Mine
Kopper Glo Mining is seeking a second permit to release pollution from its nearly 1,500-acre proposed Claiborne County, Tenn., strip mine into public waterways. Attendees at a public hearing voiced a number of concerns.
Massive mountaintop removal mine threatens Clearfork Valley
The Clearfork Valley of Tennessee has been intensely surface-mined going back decades. Now, Kopper Glo Mining is moving forward with a nearly 1,500-acre mountaintop removal mine on nearby Cooper Ridge.
Keeping the mountain in Coal River Mountain
Local groups like Coal River Mountain Watch and Kanawha Forest Coalition are critical to protecting communities living near mountaintop removal mines in West Virginia. Appalachian Voices is helping them monitor mining activities and permits.
