Written by Willie Dodson
Willie Dodson
A Virginia native, Willie has organized with environmental and social justice campaigns in the region for more than a decade. He is Appalachian Voices' Coal Impacts Program Manager.
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.
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.
