The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s proposed new regulations would reduce worker exposure to silica dust, but advocates say better enforcement measures are needed.
Blog Archives
Feature item #7 for the Voice front page (2020)
Northern Long-Eared Bats Added to Endangered Species List
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently classified northern long-eared bats as endangered, which could help save the species most impacted by the deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.
TAGS: Bats Endangered species Endangered Species Act Fish and Wildlife Service White Nose White-nose syndrome
How the Coal Mine Cleanup System is Failing
The bankruptcy of coal company Blackjewel has exposed many flaws in the current mine cleanup system.
TAGS: Aily Branch Mine blackjewel coal bankruptcy mine cleanup mine reclamation mine runoff Virginia
Researchers Discuss How Climate Change Impacts Health in Rural Mountain Communities
Researchers discussed how climate change will impact health in rural mountain communities during a recent workshop. Spoiler alert: hotter nights, more mosquito- and tick-borne disease, and effects on mental and maternal health.
TAGS: Appalachian State University Climate change climate research maternal mortality mosquitoes rural health Ticks
Blackjewel’s Catastrophic Bankruptcy and the Collapse of the Mine Cleanup System
Blackjewel’s bankruptcy demonstrates how the mine cleanup system is coming undone — and how nearby residents bear the burden when coal companies fail to repair their damage.
TAGS: blackjewel bond forfeiture coal bankruptcy coal companies mine land reclamation mine reclamation pool bond Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act
Jewish Communities Persist in Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia, is home to two Jewish congregations, and the city’s Jewish history stretches back to the early 1800s.
Relay Runners Followed Path of the Mountain Valley Pipeline
Three women ran the 415-mile route of the Mountain Valley Pipeline over the course of 10 days to protest the project and connect with residents along the pipeline’s path.
Last Tree-sitters Removed from Path of Mountain Valley Pipeline
For 932 days, tree-sitters at the Yellow Finch site blocked the path of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The two remaining tree-sitters were extracted by Virginia State Police on March 23 and March 24.
TAGS: Appalachians Against Pipelines mountain valley pipeline mvp MVP Southgate pipeline protests tree-sit Virginia West Virginia yellow finch
Ready for the Wild: Rescue Rehabilitates and Releases Young Bears
The Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend, Tenn., has saved more than 300 bears from eight different states over the last 25 years.
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
