Press Releases
American Rivers names Gauley River to America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2025, due to toxic coal mining pollution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 16, 2025 CONTACTHawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org Andrew Young, staff attorney for the Allegheny Blue Ridge Alliance (ABRA), ayoung@abralliance.org Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, Appalachian Voices, (276) 289-1018, dan@appvoices.org WASHINGTON, D.C. — The threat of toxic pollution from coal strip mining in the headwaters of one of the Gauley’s primary tributaries — the…
Read MoreInaugural Southwest Virginia Solar Summit
This May, the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia is hosting the inaugural Solar Virginia Solar Summit for residents and local governments of Southwest Virginia.
Read MorePresidential orders to prop up coal companies would increase pollution, damage public lands and raise power bills
President Trump signed four executive orders aimed at propping up declining coal-fired power plants and reducing environmental protections for communities impacted by coal plants and mining.
Read MoreAssault on coal miners continues as MSHA halts enforcement of life-saving silica dust safeguard
Today, the Trump administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced it was temporarily halting enforcement of new life-saving measures that prevent deadly silica dust exposure among miners.
Read MoreCoal company owned by U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, behind on clean-up deadlines and fines, faces contempt hearing on April 9
A&G Coal Corporation is scheduled to appear before the U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia, in Abingdon, Virginia, on Wednesday, April 9, for a hearing concerning its failure to comply with the legally binding terms of a 2023 consent decree.
Read MoreBankrupt coal company cited for releasing ‘sludge’ into West Virginia’s Gauley River watershed
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued its latest notice of violation against South Fork Coal Company, the bankrupt mining firm operating a 3,600-acre surface mining complex in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, on March 24. The citation was issued for “iron staining and sludge deposits” in Becky Run caused by the company’s Lost Flats #2 Surface Mine.
Read MoreAdvocates call on Congress to make sure coal companies don’t skip out on black lung responsibilities
“Congress needs to get serious about preventing black lung disease, improving benefits for miners with the disease, and ensuring the solvency of the trust fund instead of bending over backwards for the companies that have caused the black lung epidemic,” said Rebecca Shelton, Director of Policy at Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center.
Read MoreBlack Lung Awareness Day at the West Virginia Capitol
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, coal miners and their families from across West Virginia’s coal-producing communities will gather at the Capitol building for Black Lung Awareness Day.
Read MoreHonoring Rep. Grijalva
Appalachian Voices staff is deeply saddened by the passing of U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Throughout his more than 20 years of congressional service, the Arizona representative was committed to not only the communities in his district, but disadvantaged communities across the country, including Appalachians and coal mining communities.
Read MoreOverwhelming opposition to MVP Southgate submitted to federal agency
On March 11, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission closed an intervention period in the federal docket for the proposed Southgate pipeline project. Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, the developer of the Southgate pipeline, is seeking approval to dramatically alter its original 2018 design, changing the route and increasing the pipe diameter and capacity for the project. Although community members asked for more time for review, only a 21-day intervention period was offered.
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