2018 — April/May
EPA Proposes Major Changes to Federal Coal Ash Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed rolling back federal regulations on how utilities store coal ash, a toxic byproduct from coal-fired power plants.
Read MoreReview of Mountaintop Removal’s Health Impact Terminated
The Trump administration officially ended a federal study that would have reviewed the human health impacts of living near mountaintop removal coal mining.
Read MoreDuke Energy Raises Electricity Rates
The North Carolina Utilities Commission allowed Duke Energy subsidiary Duke Energy Progress to raise its customers’ utility bills in part to pay for state-mandated coal ash cleanup.
Read MoreMine Violations Continue in Raleigh County, WV
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation to the operators of Collins Fork Surface Mine in February.
Read MoreTennessee Bill Would Change Mining Oversight
A bill that would change Tennessee’s status as the only active coal mining state that does not have state control of coal mine permitting and oversight has passed the state house and senate.
Read MoreVirginia Law Grants Large Utilities Less Regulation
Massive changes in Virginia’s energy policy were signed into law last month, with many legislators crying foul.
Read MoreNeely’s Creek Mine Permit Up for Renewal
The permit renewal for Neely’s Creek Mine near Somerset, Ky., is being contested by a local environmental group.
Read MoreEPA Dismisses Coal Ash Civil Rights Case
A civil rights case brought by Uniontown, Ala., residents who argued that their health problems were caused by TVA coal ash dumped at a nearby landfill was dismissed.
Read MoreKentucky Legislators Split Over Solar
A Kentucky net-metering bill that would allow the state to decide how much money residents with rooftop solar earn from the surplus power they produce narrowly passed the state House in March.
Read MoreCash for Carbon: Working Woodlands Program Grows in Appalachia
Over 25,000 acres of forest in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia will remain undeveloped for use in Forest Stewardship Council-certified timber markets.
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