Higher Fines For Big Coal, More Secrecy From The Kentucky Energy And Environment Cabinet

On September 14th, a conference was held with Hearing Officer Blanton in the Office of Administrative Hearing case brought by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet against Nally & Hamilton. The conference determined whether Appalachian Voices, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Kentucky Riverkeeper, and Waterkeeper Alliance, represented by Natural Resources Defense Council attorneys, may continue with…

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Big Coal’s Watergate Hearing Wrap Up

The hearing against the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, and ICG and Frasure Creek coal companies wrapped up last Friday. Appalachian Voices, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Kentucky Riverkeeper, and Waterkeeper Alliance intervened in the settlement between the Cabinet and the coal companies, arguing the settlement was not fair, reasonable or in the public interest. Appalachian…

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First Day Wrap-up of Kentucky Coal Trials

The first day of the hearing against the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and ICG and Frasure mining companies concluded Wednesday evening. Appalachian Voices, Kentucky Riverkeeper, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and Waterkeeper Alliance intend to show that the penalties assessed by the Cabinet for the two coal companies are not sufficient to address the severity…

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Appalachian Voices’ First Clean Water Act Trial Beginning This Wednesday in Kentucky

After much preparation and anticipation, our first day in court will begin in just two short days. Appalachian Voices, along with its partners, Kentucky Riverkeeper, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, and Waterkeeper Alliance will appear in court in Franklin County, Kentucky this Wednesday to begin the first portion of litigation against ICG, Inc. (now owned by…

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Flaming wells, poisoned water show abuses of coal.

I have just returned from another epic journey into the dark side of coal mining. If you, me or anyone else in America poisoned a neighbor’s drinking water we would be castigated and made a pariah at the very least and possibly jailed for attempted murder at the worst. But if you are a coal…

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Possible Methane Contamination of Drinking Water Wells in Kentucky

“In all my 20 years of working on water quality problems, I have never seen a drinking water well catch on fire and burn continuously for days on end,” Donna Lisenby said in reaction to news reports of a well fire in Pike County, Kentucky. Kentuckians for the Commonwealth Steering Committee member Ted Withrow contacted…

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Inside Appalachian Voices

Taking A Stand in the War on Water By Erin Savage Though placid lakes and playful streams seem to say otherwise, a war on water is currently raging in the Appalachian Mountains. Here are just a few of the ways that Appalachian Voices is taking the plunge and combating water pollution. Read more at appvoices.org/waterwatch.…

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Kentucky Coal Companies Remind Us Why We Really, Really Need the EPA

The latest episode in the saga known as Big Coal’s Watergate began today when environmental and citizen groups filed a second notice of intent to sue the two largest mountaintop removal mining companies in Kentucky. Appalachian Voices, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, Kentucky Riverkeeper, and Waterkeeper Alliance notified ICG and Frasure Creek Mining of their intent…

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