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.
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
TAGS: black lung disease coal miners Mine Safety and Health Administration National Black Lung Association silica dust
As EPA Prepares to Update Federal Air Quality Limits, Coal Dust Looms Large in Eunice
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.
TAGS: Air Pollution air quality coal community coal dust Coal River Valley national ambient air quality standards particulate matter PM 2.5 West Virginia West Virginia Division of Air Quality West Virginia Division of Mining and Reclamation
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.
TAGS: Appalachian coal Clean Air Clean Air Act coal dust coal industry Coal River Valley dust Eunice West Virginia
Black Lung Benefit Fund Would See Major Boost from Change to Coal Tax
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.
TAGS: Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung disease black lung excise tax black lung severance tax coal miners
Despite Decline of Coal, Mining Remains Aggressive on Coal River Mountain
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.
TAGS: blasting Coal mining Coal River Mountain Watch end mountaintop removal mine reclamation mountaintop removal coal mining surface coal mine West Virginia
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.
Bankruptcies Highlight Concerns with Black Lung Benefits Fund
Coal company bankruptcies are putting the federal Black Lung Disability Trust Fund in further jeopardy.
Funding for Black Lung Benefits Halved
A tax on coal companies funding benefits for former miners with black lung disease was halved at the first of the year.
TAGS: Black Lung Black Lung Disability Trust Fund Coal employee benefits United Mine Workers Association
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.
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.
