Press Releases
Statement on Justice40 Announcement
Today, the Biden Administration announced the first list of federal programs that are part of its Justice40 initiative, representing more than 200 programs and billions of dollars in federal spending.
Read MoreOur communities can’t wait: Advocates urge Biden administration to fill vacant OSMRE director role ASAP
Today, community leaders from coal-impacted communities launched a joint effort to urge the Biden Administration to nominate and confirm a director for Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
Read MoreReport recommends improvements to Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization program
A new report finds that the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization program is having a significant impact, but recommends improvements for speeding the implementation of projects.
Read MoreStatement on MSHA enforcement initiative aimed at reducing miners’ overexposure to respirable silica
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683), dan@appvoices.org Yesterday, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced a new enforcement initiative to better protect miners from exposure to dangerous levels of respirable silica dust on the job while the agency continues working on a new rule limiting this exposure. Appalachian Voices is supportive of the measures…
Read MoreHouse committee to hold hearing on important coal-related bills
On June 9, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing discussing important coal-related legislation, including a bill that would shore up the troubled mine cleanup system and another that would ensure that abandoned mine land funding can be used for long-term acid mine drainage treatment facilities.
Read MoreCommunity advocates welcome RENEW Act to address modern-era coal mine reclamation crisis
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683), dan@appvoices.org Trey Pollard, 202-904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com APPALACHIA — More than a dozen community groups from across coal country announced their support of U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb’s RENEW (Revitalize, Enhance, and Nurture in Expanded Ways Our Abandoned Mine Lands) Act shortly after the legislation’s introduction today. The groups hailed H.R. 7937 as…
Read MoreVirginia state lawmakers call on U.S. Senate to pass climate reconciliation bill
Virginia legislators sent a letter to Sens. Kaine and Warner supporting a budget reconciliation package under negotiation that invests $555 billion in climate and clean energy.
Read MoreWife of Kingston coal ash cleanup worker to be featured in event
Appalachian Voices and Just Transition Northwest Indiana will be co-hosting a virtual event on May 26 spotlighting the dangers of coal ash to our communities through testimony by the wife of a cleanup worker of the 2008 Kingston, Tennessee, coal ash disaster, the worst ever in U.S. history.
Read MoreAdvocates praise federal guidance for abandoned mine land funding
The federal government is getting ready to make a huge investment in cleaning up abandoned mine lands. The Department of Interior released guidance to help states and tribes to spend that money in ways that have the greatest impact for hard-hit communities.
Read MoreDuke Energy’s fossil-focused Carbon Plan misses 2030 targets
Duke’s draft Carbon Plan is far too dependent on polluting resources and misses the opportunity to lower costs for customers with rooftop solar, battery storage and energy efficiency.
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