Posts Tagged ‘Black Lung’
Trump administration cutting vital health and safety services for miners
Coal miners, families and advocates were still trying to figure out what the termination of leases for dozens of Mine Safety and Health Administration offices by Elon Musk’s DOGE meant for the work of mine safety inspectors when even worse news came.
Read MoreAdvocates call on Congress to make sure coal companies don’t skip out on black lung responsibilities
“Congress needs to get serious about preventing black lung disease, improving benefits for miners with the disease, and ensuring the solvency of the trust fund instead of bending over backwards for the companies that have caused the black lung epidemic,” said Rebecca Shelton, Director of Policy at Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center.
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 MoreNew map hints at scale of black lung crisis
Using data from the Department of Labor, we’ve created a map that hints at the scale of the black lung crisis.
Read MoreProposed Arch-Consol merger must secure black lung benefits for miners
Regulators scrutinizing a proposed merger between two of the country’s largest coal companies must make sure black lung benefits are protected.
Read MoreAdvocates respond to new rule cracking down on coal industry’s abandonment of black lung liabilities
Amid new coal mergers, new Department of Labor safeguard closes “self-insurance” loopholes that currently allow industry to dump liabilities on Black Lung Trust Fund For Immediate Release December 11, 2024 Contact: Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com COAL COUNTRY – Today, the Biden Administration’s Department of Labor released a new rule to address a long-abused loophole that allows…
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 MoreRemembering and honoring Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman, president of the Kanawha County Black Lung Association, passed away on Aug. 24, one day before his 72nd birthday.
Read MoreCoal Miners’ Widows Tell their Stories to Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey
Currently, some miners’ widows can lose their black lung benefits in certain situations. A bill Congress would help make the system more fair.
Read MoreHouse committee advances reckless bill that blocks life-saving silica standard
Today, the House Appropriations Committee approved a dangerous appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Among other disastrous provisions, the bill would block funding for the recently finalized rule to protect miners from silica dust
Read More