Posts Tagged ‘Appalachian Citizens Law Center’
Members of Congress introduce two bills to help coal miners access black lung benefits
Today, U.S. senators and representatives introduced two bills to help coal miners with black lung disease apply for medical and disability benefits, while also raising the amount miners with black lung and their families receive in disability benefits each month.
Read MoreMiners 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.
Read MoreAssault on coal miners continues as MSHA halts enforcement of life-saving silica dust safeguard
Today, the Trump administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced it was temporarily halting enforcement of new life-saving measures that prevent deadly silica dust exposure among miners.
Read MoreBlack Lung Awareness Day at the West Virginia Capitol
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, coal miners and their families from across West Virginia’s coal-producing communities will gather at the Capitol building for Black Lung Awareness Day.
Read MoreBlack lung associations from across West Virginia urge Manchin and Capito to fix black lung benefits before end of year
Today, the Kanawha, Fayette and Nicholas County chapters of the Black Lung Association in West Virginia sent a letter to Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito urging them to stand up for their constituents in the Mountain State by tackling the black lung benefits crisis this year.
Read MorePlatform aims to improve resilience to flooding in Appalachia
Studies have shown what anyone in Appalachia can tell you — floods are getting worse in the region. As the climate changes, rainfall events in Appalachia will increase in frequency and intensity, and thus flood risk is also projected to increase.
Read MoreProvision to block silica standard included in new appropriations bill
The House Appropriations Committee has included a provision in the annual appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education that would block funding for the recently finalized rule to protect miners from silica dust — a significant driver of the resurgence of black lung disease in Central Appalachia.
Read MoreMiners and advocates travel to Washington to ask legislators to strengthen black lung benefits
Recognizing the difficulty countless households have with these decisions, members of the West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky Black Lung Associations traveled in early May to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators about the need to increase miners’ benefits, which have failed to keep pace with inflation.
Read MoreAppalachian groups and impacted communities unveil flood resilience policy priorities
ReImagine Appalachia, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and the National Wildlife Federation were joined by local elected officials and advocates today to detail a four-pillar flood resilience policy roadmap for Appalachia. Nearly forty groups have endorsed the platform.
Read MoreCommunity groups praise Beyer bill to ensure timely coal mine cleanup
Communities across Central Appalachia welcome a bill introduced today by U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va.. The bill includes specific requirements for how quickly coal mine reclamation must be completed following coal removal.
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