Willie Dodson

A Virginia native who now splits his time between Johnson City, Tenn., and Wise County, Va., Willie has organized with environmental and social justice campaigns in the region for more than a decade. He is Appalachian Voices' Central Appalachian Field Coordinator.

Blog Archives

The Appalachian Voice

Regulators Poised to Update Miners’ Protections from Silica Dust

man stands at podium in front of statue of a miner, banner in background says "Black Lung Association"

Expected new silica dust regulations in mines could combat the rise of black lung disease. However, the effects of an ongoing federal silica enforcement initiative remain unclear.

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As EPA Prepares to Update Federal Air Quality Limits, Coal Dust Looms Large in Eunice

gray dust hovers between two trees

Frustrated with constant coal dust, residents of Eunice, West Virginia, asked the state to install an air quality monitoring device in their community. The request was denied.

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A Cloud of Coal Mine Dust over a West Virginia Community Points to Regulatory Shortcomings

As residents of the Eunice community in West Virginia grapple with coal mine dust, regulations governing air pollution offer little help.

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Black Lung Benefit Fund Would See Major Boost from Change to Coal Tax

five miners wearing shirts that say Black Lung Kills gather around a notepad

Changing the structure of a tax that funds federal benefits for miners could bring tens of millions of dollars annually to the cash-strapped Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.

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Despite Decline of Coal, Mining Remains Aggressive on Coal River Mountain

dust rising from surface mine

Despite a national coal downturn, mining has not slowed much in Raleigh County, West Virginia, where companies have proposed two new mountaintop removal coal mines.

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VA Initiates Bond Forfeiture on Justice-Owned Mines

Virginia regulators initiated bond forfeiture at two coal mines owned by the family of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. The regulators cited failure to pay penalties and chronic environmental and public safety violations.

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Bankruptcies Highlight Concerns with Black Lung Benefits Fund

black and white graphic with skeleton wearing miner hat, text reads "black lung kills"

Coal company bankruptcies are putting the federal Black Lung Disability Trust Fund in further jeopardy.

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Funding for Black Lung Benefits Halved

complicated black lung disease

A tax on coal companies funding benefits for former miners with black lung disease was halved at the first of the year.

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Mine 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.

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Opposition to Proposed Tennessee Mountaintop Removal Mine

Kopper Glo Mining is seeking a second permit to release pollution from its nearly 1,500-acre proposed Claiborne County, Tenn., strip mine into public waterways. Attendees at a public hearing voiced a number of concerns.

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