Appalachia’s Political Landscape
States Tackle Environmental and Energy Issues
With state legislative sessions underway across Appalachia, here are some energy and environmental bills to keep an eye on.
Read MoreReauthorization of Mine Lands Program Advances
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would renew funding for restoring abandoned coal mine sites — but it would also limit a wide swath of environmental protections.
Read MoreEnvironmental Votetracker — Aug/Sept 2018 issue
Chart showing how Appalachian legislators voted on recent environmental legislation.
Read MoreEndangered Species Act Threatened
New guidelines from the Trump Administration alongside a congressional package of nine bills would bring massive changes to the Endangered Species Act.
Read MoreHouse Version of Farm Bill Guts Environmental Protections
The U.S. House of Representative’s version of the 2018 Omnibus Farm Bill would roll back protections for endangered species, water and public lands.
Read MoreEnvironmental Votetracker — June/July 2018 issue
Chart showing how Appalachian legislators voted on recent environmental legislation.
Read MoreSpending Bill Sustains Appalachian Programs
While the federal budget includes funding for programs like the Appalachian Regional Commission, the bill omitted the RECLAIM Act.
Read MoreEnvironmental Votetracker — April/May 2018 issue
Chart displays how Appalachian House and Senate members voted regarding several environmental issues in February and March.
Read MoreThe Ongoing Cleanup of Abandoned Coal Mines
A key federal mine reclamation program is up for reauthorization in 2021 — and the work is far from finished.
Read MoreCoal Insider Nominated to Lead Mining Agency
The White House nominated J. Steven Gardner, who has worked in the coal industry for over four decades, to lead the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
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