Expected new silica dust regulations in mines could combat the rise of black lung disease. However, the effects of an ongoing federal silica enforcement initiative remain unclear.
Blog Archives
Regulators Poised to Update Miners’ Protections from Silica Dust
TAGS: black lung disease coal miners Mine Safety and Health Administration National Black Lung Association silica dust
CDC shares new research: For miners, death rate from lung disease is higher than ever before
On Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared a new study that sounds a clear alarm bell to leaders across the country about the dire need for a renewed focus on safeguarding the health of coal miners across the country.
Crowded lame duck session in D.C. brings dangers and opportunities for Appalachian communities
With just a few weeks remaining in this session of Congress, we’re fighting one alarming bill, working to pass two positive measures, and urging the Senate to confirm key appointments. Our Legislative Director Chelsea Barnes shares what’s happening on Capitol Hill.
TAGS: 117th Congress abandoned mine lands abandoned mine lands economic revitalization program Acid Mine Drainage AMLER black lung disease Coal mountain valley pipeline mvp STREAM Act TVA
Bills Aim to Help Miners with Black Lung and Surviving Family Access Benefits
Miners with black lung disease face a difficult process to obtain modest benefits, as do their widows. Two bills in Congress aim to help miners with the disease and their bereaved families, including by tying benefit levels to inflation.
TAGS: Black Lung Black Lung Benefits black lung disease Coal mining legislation miners widows' benefits
Confronting Rising Black Lung
Amid an ongoing surge in severe black lung disease among coal miners, federal lawmakers have introduced a number of bills aimed at assisting affected miners and their families. The Inflation Reduction Act shored up funding for benefits, and advocates are pushing for additional measures.
Black Lung Benefit Fund Would See Major Boost from Change to Coal Tax
Changing the structure of a tax that funds federal benefits for miners could bring tens of millions of dollars annually to the cash-strapped Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
TAGS: Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung disease black lung excise tax black lung severance tax coal miners
Tighter silica rules needed to protect miners from black lung disease
Coal miners are legally allowed to be exposed to twice as much dangerous silica dust as any other worker. That needs to change.
TAGS: black lung association Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung disease coal dust Mine Safety and Health Administration MSHA silica dust
Congress includes one-year extension of black lung excise tax in omnibus spending bill
A one-year extension of the excise tax that funds the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is included in the 2021 omnibus spending bill. This is the second year in a row that a one-year extension has been included in the…
TAGS: 116th Congress Biden administration black lung association Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung disease coal miners
Federal negligence allowed coal companies to shrug off their responsibility for black lung benefits
For decades, coal companies ignored a federal requirement to provide enough funds for black lung benefits — and the government let them.
TAGS: Black Lung black lung association black lung disease Coal self-bonding U.S. Department of Labor
Progress on healthcare for miners with black lung disease
Congress reinstated a tax to fund healthcare and benefits for miners with black lung and their families for 2020 — but further action is needed to extend the tax and support the fund for 10 years.
