Posts Tagged ‘Appalachian Citizens Law Center’
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.
Read MoreAppalachian 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.
Read MoreAdvocates, 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.
Read MoreNEW 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.
Read MoreCommunity 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.
Read MoreLocal 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.
Read MoreAdvocates 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.
Read MoreCongress misses another opportunity to tackle acid mine drainage crisis
With the passage of the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus spending package, Congress has failed to address one of the most pervasive and visible problems caused by abandoned mine operations in the country: acid mine drainage.
Read MoreWith federal infrastructure money on the way, advocates release recommendations for most effective abandoned mine lands investments
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org Trey Pollard, (202) 904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com APPALACHIA – Today, the Biden Administration announced that nearly $725 million in Fiscal Year 2022 abandoned mine land (AML) funding secured in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation. With these significant new federal investments…
Read MoreAdvocates applaud introduction of Rep. Scott & Adams’ 10-year extension of excise tax for Black Lung Disability Trust Fund
Today, Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2022 to extend the Coal Excise Tax for 10 years, with original cosponsors Rep. John Yarmuth (KY-3) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-12).
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