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The EPA took a major new step towards ending the environmentally destructive practice of Mountaintop Removal Mining today. New guidance standards, effective today for new and pending surface mining permits in Appalachia, will mean that the practice of filling in valleys with mountaintops will probably not be permitted unless they meet a high standard, according…

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Many thanks to the folks at Ohio Citizen Action for their organizing, advocacy, and support of Appalachian coalfield residents. We should also thank Mari-Lynn Evans for producing the incredible movie, Coal Country. Below is a post from Ohio Citizen Action’s blog: Sen. Sherrod Brown announces his co-sponsorship of S. 696, a ban on mountaintop removal…

The science is in, and the Obama Administration is listening. Today’s issuance of guidance by the Environmental Protection Agency is an absolutely historic step in ensuring that the economy, ecology, and communities of Appalachia are better protected from the devastating impacts of mountaintop removal. Citizens from Appalachia and across America are celebrating. As Senator Byrd…

As always, the award winning Ken Ward Jr. breaks the story, posting an article on his blog even before the EPA finished their conference call. We’ve re-posted snipits below. Be sure to read his entire post on his blog, Coal Tattoo. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is releasing a bombshell: A major new guidance document…

West Virginia’s senior Senator, urging reason and civility: The announcement by the EPA of its Proposed Determination to exercise its veto authority over the Spruce #1 Mine permit begins a process that enables the company and the public to comment on the matter in writing and at public hearings. I would strongly encourage all parties…

As always, Ken Ward Jr. at the Charleston Gazette (in West Virginia) is the first to write about some great news. We reprinted part of his post below, so please read his great blog for the rest of the story. “Breaking news: EPA issues ‘proposed determination’ to block Clean Water Act permit for the largest…

In November of 2009, North Carolina utility provider Progress Energy quietly decided not to renew its membership in the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE.) Though it was once one of ACCCE’s biggest contributors, paying $1 million in 2008, Progress officials decided that the group no longer fits into the utility’s agenda. ACCCE has…

UNC Chapel Hill is under a lens of scrutiny for their use of mountaintop removal coal. While UNC may be claiming they are avoiding purchasing mountaintop removal coal, public records indicate that their purchasing practices suggest otherwise. According to “Fact-checking UNC’s Coal Claims,” by Joe Schwartz of The Independent Weekly, “The Red River Mine sold…

By Marsha Johnston, A citizen participant in the Alliance for Appalachia’s annual Week in Washington By all accounts, the 5th annual Week in Washington last week was highly successful. Dozens of conversations with legislators and federal agencies showed that the two most critical pieces of legislation, the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R.1310) and the Appalachia…