New maps reveal yearly footprint of surface coal mining in Central Appalachia

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — In a peer-reviewed study published today in PLOS ONE, researchers from SkyTruth, Duke University, and Appalachian Voices released the first-ever maps of the year-by-year footprint of surface coal mining, including mountaintop mining, in Central Appalachia. Among the key findings: Surface mining, including mountaintop mining, has been responsible for clearing 2,900 km2 (~720,000…

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Report calls for improvements to coal mine bonding in Central Appalachia

The Alliance for Appalachia, a coalition of 15 organizations, today released a report on the state of surface coal mine bonding in four Central Appalachian states. Bonds are used to ensure reclamation of mine sites should a company be unable to finish reclamation. The report details the bonding programs in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and…

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