Posts Tagged ‘Coal mining’
Mining could start up near the Monongahela National Forest again
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection granted ‘advanced approval’ to two mining companies to take over South Fork Coal Company operations; conservation groups are threatening to sue Two companies have taken over South Fork Coal Company’s mining operations near the Monongahela National Forest — including the use of an illegal coal haul road that…
Read MoreCommunity advocates celebrate legislation to ensure coal mine cleanup
Advocates from across coal communities celebrated the introduction of three bills today to address the root causes of the “zombie mine” crisis — the increasing number of non-producing, unreclaimed modern-era coal mines.
Read MoreCoalition Stopped Mining on the Edge of the Monongahela National Forest — for Now
A coalition banded together to stop a coal company from using a haul road through the Monongahela National Forest to transport coal to a railroad facility about 20 miles away in Rupert, West Virginia.
Read MoreAppalachian Voices statement on White House coal actions
President Donald Trump ordered a series of actions this week intended to prop up America’s declining coal industry. Trump announced that the Department of Energy will pay electric utilities $175 million for upgrades to aging coal plants in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. Trump also ordered the Pentagon to buy more coal-generated power, though did not specify where such power might be purchased.
Read MoreCoal company owned by Sen. Jim Justice releases financial statement contradicting its previous sworn testimony
A recent financial disclosure by A&G Coal Company asserts that the company has substantial positive net assets, contradicting the recent sworn testimony of its general counsel asserting that it was over $9 million in debt and therefore unable to comply with its obligations under a court-approved 2023 settlement agreement.
Read MoreCoal Labor History Sets Stage for Community
Residents and local leaders in Pound, Virginia, have been working hard to bring new life to the town’s historic downtown. Last year, Pound received funding from Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia to create a labor-oriented monument downtown.
Read MoreCoal community groups urge Congress to reject proposed raid of abandoned coal mine clean-up fund
Today, the House Appropriations Committee released an updated “minibus” appropriations bill with bipartisan support that includes a proposal to withdraw $500 million from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s Abandoned Mine Land funds allocated as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Read MoreCoal miners, advocates rally in Washington, D.C. to protest attacks on black lung and miner protections
Today, more than 80 coal miners, members of Black Lung Associations, and other supporters rallied outside of the Department of Labor building in Washington, D.C., to protest the delay in implementing long-awaited silica dust protections for coal miners, along with funding and staffing cuts to mine safety and research.
Read MoreMiners and supporters will rally to demand safeguards from black lung disease on Oct. 14
On Oct. 14, coal miners, members of the Black Lung Association and their supporters will rally in front of the Department of Labor’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., in opposition to the department’s delayed enforcement of silica dust protections for miners.
Read MoreCoal hauling through the Monongahela National Forest has ceased… for now.
Our collective efforts to defend the Monongahela National Forest and the Cherry River from the abuses of South Fork Coal Company are having an impact.
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