Press Releases
The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition to host webinar on latest impact report and projects supporting innovative mine reclamation
The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition will host a webinar presenting its latest report, “National to Neighborhoods: Catalyzing Opportunities for Coal-Impacted Communities.”
Read MoreGroups File Legal Challenge to the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Biological Opinion
Today, environmental organizations filed a petition for review in federal court challenging a recently issued new biological opinion and incidental take statement under the Endangered Species Act for the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Read MoreLawsuit launched to protect endangered crayfish pushed to the brink of extinction by coal mining in Appalachia
The Center for Biological Diversity and Appalachian Voices filed a formal notice today of their intent to sue the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failure to protect the endangered Guyandotte River crayfish and the threatened Big Sandy crayfish from coal mining pollution. Both species are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Read MoreBiden Administration announces new actions to help energy communities take advantage of historic federal investments in clean energy
Today, the Biden Administration announced a series of actions intended to create jobs, opportunities and investments in energy communities, and to deploy clean energy projects on former mine lands. Appalachian Voices Executive Director Tom Cormons was invited to speak at the announcement.
Read MoreCourt vacates critical West Virginia water permit for Mountain Valley Pipeline
Today, a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit vacated the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Water Act § 401 certification for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, finding that the agency’s justification behind its conclusion that the pipeline would not violate the state’s water quality standards was deficient.
Read MoreU.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Virginia’s Clean Water Act 401 Permit for Mountain Valley Pipeline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 CONTACT: Peter Anderson, peter@appvoices.org, (434) 249-6446 Morgan Caplan, morgan.caplan@sierraclub.org Richmond, VA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled that federal circuit courts do have authority to review state Clean Water Act section 401 certificates, but upheld Virginia’s grant of the section 401 certificate that…
Read MoreNew film highlights West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina communities that helped stop pipeline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2023 CONTACT Jessica Sims, jessica@appvoices.org, 804-356-1228 CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Appalachian Voices and the Southern Environmental Law Center announce an upcoming screening of the documentary film “Not On This Land: The Fight Against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.” Directed by Christopher Landry, the film showcases stories of impacted community members who fought…
Read MoreNEW REPORT: Benefits for coal miners with black lung falling behind
This morning, advocates for miners with black lung and their families released a new report detailing how black lung benefit payments have fallen far behind the cost of living, putting ailing miners and their dependents among the most at risk as inflation continues to rise.
Read MoreAppalachian Voices urges Congress to pass Biden’s proposed investments in Appalachian coalfields
Today, President Joe Biden released his Fiscal Year 2024 budget to fund government programs through September 2024. The budget proposal includes crucial investments in programs to boost economic growth in the coalfields, ensure coal mine reclamation and protect miners from black lung disease.
Read MoreSenators from Appalachian states request a federal study of whether black lung benefits are adequate
A study by the Government Accountability Office looking at the adequacy of current black lung benefits for miners and their families requested by U.S. senators should bolster ongoing efforts to improve those benefits.
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