The Virginia General Assembly has reached the halfway mark — and amid the highs and lows of committee decisions, hundreds of Virginians have helped advocate for critical environmental protections. Thank you for your calls and emails to legislators!
Blog Archives
Crossover: Virginia General Assembly session reaches an important milestone
TAGS: Affordable Energy Act Affordable Energy Coalition brightfields cyanide disconnection protections hydrogen metals mining pipelines shared solar Virginia Clean Economy Act Virginia Conservation Network Virginia General Assembly
PRESS ADVISORY: Advocates to release policy platform to stop zombie mines
On Feb. 15, advocates from across coal-mining communities will unveil a new federal policy platform that serves as a road map to address and prevent unreclaimed “zombie mines” — idled modern-era mines that have not been cleaned up by the responsible coal companies. Endorsed by 48 community and national organizations, the policy platform will offer an array of new recommended solutions to thwart the continued zombie mine crisis.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center mine reclamation modern mines Western Organization of Resource Councils zombie mines
NEW analysis: Black lung benefits fall dramatically behind cost of living for sick miners and their families
A new analysis from Appalachian Voices and Appalachian Citizens Law Center finds that the cost of living is significantly higher than black lung benefits payments received by many miners with black lung and their families, illustrating the urgent need for congressional action to update how benefits are calculated and deployed.
New report shows alarming lack of mine cleanup progress in Kentucky
A recent study found that nearly 40% of the “active” surface permits in Kentucky have been sitting idle for the last five years. The coal companies responsible for those mine permits did not produce any coal, nor did they make any progress in cleaning up the sites.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center coal impacts idle mine lands Kentucky mine cleanup reclamation
EPA strengthens air pollution rules for particulate matter
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency strengthened air pollution rules for particulate matter pollution, as it released its final National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
TAGS: coal dust EarthJustice Environmental Justice fine particulate matter national ambient air quality standards
Legislation to ban cyanide in mining operations passes House unanimously
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2024 CONTACT Stephanie Rinaldi, Press Pause Coalition, presspauseva@gmail.com, 434-270-0706 Richmond, Va. — Yesterday, two pieces of legislation developed from concerns of Virginians faced with impacts from exploratory drilling for metals and future large-scale metal mining…
Three Towns in Southwest Virginia Pursue Redevelopment of Blighted Buildings
Brownfields revitalization programs are helping rural Appalachian towns combat blight to rejuvenate their economies.
TAGS: brownfields department of environmental quality economic development EPA redevelopment southwest virginia WVU BAD Buildings Program
Experts, community target Tennessee Valley Authority’s energy plan Thursday in Nashville
Advocacy groups will hold a public hearing Thursday on the Tennessee Valley Authority’s 2024 long-term energy plan.
TAGS: Center for Biological Diversity Climate Reality Project Energy Alabama integrated resource plan Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Sunrise Nashville Tennessee Valley Authority Vote Solar.
Federal regulators put communities, climate at risk by rubberstamping TVA’s proposed Cumberland Pipeline
FERC’s decision to give the green light to this dangerous methane gas pipeline project ignores the significant and long-lasting damage it will do to the climate, utility customers, and Tennessee communities.
TAGS: Cumberland Fossil Plant Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Gas Pipeline Sierra Club Southern Environmental Law Center Tennessee Gas Pipeline Tennessee Valley Authority
Four ways you can support Appalachian communities in the new year!
In 2023, Appalachian advocates made several advancements in the fight for greater protections for rural communities and families affected by black lung but as we enter 2024, an ongoing battle in Congress over spending is threatening to undo much of this progress while also cutting programs that benefit these communities.
TAGS: appropriations Black Lung Black Lung Benefits Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act coal impacts Congress funding OSMRE Relief for Survivors of Miners Act U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
