Front Porch Blog
Updates from Appalachia
Mapping the decline of coal production
The decline of coal production in Appalachia has been ongoing for decades. We thought it would be useful to develop a way to visualize these trends across the region.
The state of coal community protections 48 years after landmark mining law
On Aug. 3, 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act into law. This anniversary presents a good opportunity to discuss SMCRA’s intent, where it’s fallen short over the years and how the Trump administration is undermining SMCRA’s protections.
SWVA leaders advocate for community resilience projects in D.C.
On an extraordinarily hot, humid day in July,…
Miners continue long fight for adequate black lung benefits
This is a meeting of the Southwest Virginia Black Lung Association Chapter II, and they have a lot to talk about.
Part II: How the Trump plan for the federal budget hurts Appalachia
This is the second of two blogs highlighting some of the ways that the proposed budget would make Appalachians less safe and less financially secure, undercutting economic development and environmental remediation efforts.
