The Appalachian Voice
Member Spotlight: Vesta Jean Lenhart
Appalachian Voices member Vesta Jean Lenhart’s desire to preserve mountains goes back to her childhood in Eastern Kentucky.
Read MoreCalling on Legislators for Action in Washington, D.C.
In July, Appalachian Voices traveled to Capitol Hill alongside about 150 miners, widows and their loved ones to demand Congress to restore proper funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. And in June, we joined other organizations in a visit to D.C. to ask legislators to co-sponsor the RECLAIM Act to fast-track abandoned mine reclamation.
Read MoreMiners Take Black Lung Demands to D.C.
Approximately 150 Appalachian coal miners, widows and their loved ones visited Capitol Hill in July to demand that Congress reinstate a tax rate on coal companies for black lung healthcare and benefits.
Read MoreJob Corps Sites to Remain Open
The Trump administration reversed its decision to privatize 16 federal job centers and close nine after public and political backlash.
Read MoreSolar Strides in Southwest Virginia
Appalachian Voices applauds the achievement of eight Southwest Virginia municipalities for receiving SolSmart designations that will help pave the way for solar projects in the region. Additionally, the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia received state funding to identify opportunities for large-scale solar manufacturing and development
Read MoreSouthwest Virginia Communities Designated as Solar-friendly
Eight communities in Southwest Virginia achieved designation under the nationwide SolSmart program in July for taking steps to pave the way for solar projects in their municipalities.
Read MoreCongressional Support for RECLAIM Act Grows
U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsors for the RECLAIM Act grew after a coalition of coal mine reclamation advocates traveled to the nation’s capital to express their support for the bill that would accelerate the spending of money in the in the federal abandoned mine cleanup fund.
Read MoreTrump Administration Charged with Weakening Endangered Species Protections to Favor Coal
Environmental groups plan to sue federal and state agencies for allegedly conspiring to weaken endangered species protections in West Virginia.
Read MoreOhio River Protections Now Optional
In June, an interstate regulatory agency voted to replace mandatory water quality protections for the Ohio River with voluntary guidelines that states can choose whether or not to follow.
Read MoreFederal Approval Rescinded for Kentucky Prison
The project would have used public money, including abandoned mine reclamation funds, to build a federal prison on a former coal mine in Letcher County, Ky.
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