The federal surface mining agency has proposed a new rule that, if finalized, will restore community members’ ability to ensure coal companies follow the law. [ Read More ]
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Erin Savage
While Erin prefers to be on rivers rather than at a desk, as our Central Appalachian Program Manager she devotes a lot of time delving through data to make it meaningful to others who care about the health of our waterways.How a proposed rule can help communities hold coal companies accountable
Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Congress considers bills to address coal mining impacts at June hearing
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022 | Posted by Erin Savage | 1 Comment
During a recent U.S. House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing, Erin Savage of Appalachian Voices and two other Appalachian residents testified about acid mine drainage, abandoned mine sites and the impacts of ongoing mountaintop removal coal mining. [ Read More ]
Tell White House officials that coal mine cleanup must be a priority
Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Insufficient bonding systems and decades of poor enforcement of mine reclamation law have led to a severe backlog in abandoned mines — and a new wave of coal bankruptcies is exacerbating the problem. [ Read More ]
Collapse of the coal industry: Problems and recommendations
Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Coal mine regulations have not kept up with the industry's collapse, leaving regulators without the money – or the legal tools – to address growing problems of scarred landscapes and polluted waters. [ Read More ]
Google Earth teams up with Appalachian Voices
Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Appalachian Voices teamed up with Google Earth on a video to show how the search engine's satellite imagery helps us protect the environment. [ Read More ]
“Environmentalist” Tom Clarke abandons mines in West Virginia
Friday, April 3rd, 2020 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
With the failure of coal operator ERP's unconventional scheme, West Virginia must contend with the company's environmental violations and mines in need of cleanup. [ Read More ]
Progress on healthcare for miners with black lung disease
Wednesday, December 18th, 2019 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Congress reinstated a tax to fund healthcare and benefits for miners with black lung and their families for 2020 — but further action is needed to extend the tax and support the fund for 10 years. [ Read More ]
A decision point for abandoned coal mines
Friday, September 6th, 2019 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
An accurate inventory of abandoned coal mine lands is imperative for understanding the scope of the problem, where funding needs to be directed, and how much funding is necessary. [ Read More ]
Blackjewel’s bankruptcy looks like bad news for workers and mine cleanup
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Appalachia's latest coal bankruptcy looks different than others — mines shut down immediately and paychecks were clawed back from employees' bank accounts. We take a look at what the Blackjewel and Revelation Energy bankruptcy could mean for mine land reclamation. [ Read More ]
Central Appalachia’s newest coal boss facing bankruptcies
Monday, December 10th, 2018 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Virginia businessman Tom Clarke's foray into the coal industry initially looked promising for addressing environmental and community problems. Now, however, his business model is looking questionable. [ Read More ]
Coal industry sees bankruptcies and exports in volatile 2018
Monday, November 26th, 2018 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Some coal companies appear to be banking on opportunities for short-term gain with metallurgical coal, but the metallurgical market can only prop up the industry for so long. [ Read More ]
Still on hold: Few answers on review of mountaintop removal health impacts
Wednesday, March 7th, 2018 | Posted by Erin Savage | 3 Comments
More than a year into the Trump administration, a director for the Office of Surface Mining has yet to be confirmed. And it's unlikely that Trump's pro-coal pick will reinstate a review of the human health impacts of mountaintop removal. [ Read More ]
