Next week, lawmakers and advocates for miners with black lung will discuss major new black lung legislation — including the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act introduced today — during a virtual press conference.
Blog Archives
POSTPONED: Advocates Urge Congress to Advance Major Black Lung Legislation & Halt Attacks on New Silica Dust Rule
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center appropriations Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act National Black Lung Association Rep. Morgan McGarvey Sen. Bob Casey silica rule
Advocates support calls for full investigation of modern mine reclamation crisis
Leaders from coal-impacted communities are strongly backing the call from members of Congress for a federal investigation into the full extent of the damage caused by the coal industry’s failure to adequately clean up its mines.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Congress Government Accountability Office mine reclamation modern mines Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition
5,200+ comments from across the country support strengthening silica dust rule as comment period concludes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2023 CONTACT Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, 202-904-9187 COAL COUNTRY – Last night at midnight EST, the 45-day comment period on the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s draft rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable…
Upcoming public hearings should highlight weaknesses of new silica rule proposal
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration is planning three hybrid hearings on its proposed rule to strengthen silica exposure standards for coal miners. These hearings will give miners and their advocates an opportunity to point out some of the weaknesses of the proposal.
Appalachian senators introduce bill to support families of deceased miners
Today, Sens. Mark Warner (VA), Tim Kaine (VA), Joe Manchin (WV), Sherrod Brown (OH), Bob Casey (PA) and John Fetterman (PA) introduced legislation to ease the process for families of deceased miners to apply for black lung benefits. Surviving dependents can apply to receive black lung benefits after a miner’s death, but filing for benefits is complex and burdensome.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung National Black Lung Association Relief for Survivors of Miners Act Sen. Joe Manchin Sen. John Fetterman Sen. Mark Warner Sen. Sherrod Brpwm. Sen. Bob Casey Sen. Tim Kaine
Advocates, coal miners applaud progress towards new silica dust rule
Today, the Biden Administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a long-delayed draft rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica — the principal cause of the resurgence of deadly black lung disease.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung Mine Safety and Health Administration National Black Lung Association ReImagine Appalachia silica dust
NEW REPORT: Benefits for coal miners with black lung falling behind
This morning, advocates for miners with black lung and their families released a new report detailing how black lung benefit payments have fallen far behind the cost of living, putting ailing miners and their dependents among the most at risk as inflation continues to rise.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act National Black Lung Association Rep. Matt Cartwright Sen. Joe Manchin
Community advocates urge Congress to include key coal community investments in forthcoming budget legislation
Congressional appropriations leaders are preparing to release omnibus spending legislation for FY2023 today, and community advocates from across coal country are urging them to ensure several long-standing priority investments are included. Advocates argue that the omnibus legislation is an important opportunity to get three key provisions over the finish line.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands Acid Mine Drainage AMLER Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act Congress Inflation Reduction Act ReImagine Appalachia STREAM Act
Local citizen groups express concerns about nuclear development
The announcement comes as a surprise to many key stakeholders in the region, and no local citizen groups were informed about the governor’s visit — nor have any been invited to participate in the planning of the location and development of the new energy infrastructure.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Clinch Coalition Gov. Glenn Youngkin Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards Virginia Energy Plan
Advocates praise federal guidance for abandoned mine land funding
The federal government is getting ready to make a huge investment in cleaning up abandoned mine lands. The Department of Interior released guidance to help states and tribes to spend that money in ways that have the greatest impact for hard-hit communities.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands Appalachian Citizens Law Center bipartisan infrastructure law Ohio River Valley Institute ReImagine Appalachia U.S. Department of the Interior
