Front Porch Blog
Buckingham rises up with visit from Rev. Barber, Al Gore
Civil rights and climate activists Rev. William Barber and former Vice President Al Gore drew more than 1,000 people to a town hall meeting in Buckingham, Va., to highlight the environmental racism of the proposed frack-gas compressor station in the African-American community of Union Hill.
Read MoreCommunity 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.
Read MoreUnderground 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.
Read MoreFive years after Dan River: Coal ash in N.C.
The Dan River coal ash spill sparked a flurry of coal ash cleanup legislation, public hearings, community meetings and more across North Carolina. But where does coal ash stand in the state now?
Read MoreIn Tennessee, electric bill fees hurt customers
As Tennessee electric utilities seek to maintain profits, they are are increasing fixed fees on customer electric bills, regardless of how much electricity they use. That’s patently unfair, especially for lower-income people.
Read MoreCuts 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.
Read MoreVirginia’s Union Hill community continues fight for environmental justice
Pipeline resisters were distraught – but, alas, not surprised – when Va. regulators OK’d a huge fracked-gas compressor station in historic Union Hill. But all vowed to continue the fight for environmental justice.
Read MoreOne neighbor shares the devastating impact of Mountain Valley Pipeline construction on her animals and family
Arietta Ann DuPre’s land and her neighbor’s land in Wayside, W.Va., serves as a home for rescued horses and other animals – and in early 2018, Mountain Valley Pipeline developers cut her horses’ pasture land in two.
Read MoreVirginians brace for the fallout from Westmoreland Coal’s bankruptcy
Westmoreland Coal’s bankruptcy puts health benefits for 500 Virginians and pensions for 7,000 former Virginia miners in jeopardy. A bill proposed in the Senate would protect these benefits — and also shore up the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
Read MoreWestmoreland Coal’s Appalachian connection
In October 2018, the oldest coal company in the United States filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While now largely operating in the western United States, Westmoreland has many ties to Southwest Virginia.
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