Press Releases
U.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 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 the fracked…
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 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 against…
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.
Read MoreStatement from Appalachian Voices on U.S. Fish and Wildlife biological opinion for Mountain Valley Pipeline
Today, for the third time, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, one of several authorizations necessary under federal law to allow construction of the project.
Read MoreCDC shares new research: For miners, death rate from lung disease is higher than ever before
On Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared a new study that sounds a clear alarm bell to leaders across the country about the dire need for a renewed focus on safeguarding the health of coal miners across the country.
Read MoreAs comment deadlines come to a close, more than 40,000 voice opposition to new Mountain Valley Pipeline federal permits
In response to the U.S. Forest Service’s intention to break 11 of its own rules for the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline, over 30,000 individuals and organizations submitted their opposition to the agency’s plan ahead of a February 21 deadline.
Read MoreBipartisan bill prohibiting the use of cyanide in mining heads to House of Delegates for consideration
HB 1722, a bill that would prohibit the use of cyanide in industrial mineral mining operations, was reported with overwhelming bipartisan support to the full House of Delegates by the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee.
Read MoreSCC approves first biogas project under new law
Press Release from Appalachian Voices and the Southern Environmental Law Center For Immediate Release January 24, 2023 Contacts Peter Anderson, Appalachian Voices, peter@appvoices.org Tasha Durrett, SELC Communications, tdurrett@selcva.org CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia’s State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved the first biogas supply infrastructure project under the Virginia Energy Innovation Act, a new state law adopted…
Read More