Norton, VA — A coalition of groups in Central Appalachia today issued its third annual report highlighting innovative projects that will clean up abandoned coal mine lands and brownfields in six states and give them new life as solar energy…
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Coalition highlights community projects to restore, redevelop old coal sites in Appalachia
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml appalachia Coal Kentucky Ohio Pennsylvania pilot program reclaim reclamation Virginia West Virginia
Virginia Resident Finally Finds Relief From Coal Truck Dust
After a resident unsuccessfully sought aid from Virginia officials for two years to address constant dust from passing coal trucks, one reporter’s questions motivated the company to take action.
Virginia officials must begin planning for Wise County, other power plant closures
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, chelsea@appvoices.org, 614-205-6424 Cat McCue, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 Today, the Institute for Energy Economics and Analysis released a report shedding light on Dominion Energy’s costly coal-fired Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise Co, Va., and its likely early…
TAGS: Coal Dominion Energy ieefa Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis just transition southwest virginia Virginia Virginia City Wise County
Virginia regulators poised to grant mining permits to questionable company
As companies go bankrupt, they tend to pass off their mine mining permits — and the responsibility to reclaim them — to increasingly questionable entities. This is currently unfolding in Southwest Virginia, if the state mining agency allows it.
TAGS: Coal coal bankruptcy Coal mining environmental violations mine reclamation mining regulations OSMRE Virginia
Covid’s impact on coal sharpens the pandemic’s economic hardships
Even before the pandemic, a growing number of coal companies were declaring bankruptcy — and now the decades-long decline of coal is in a nosedive. This will leave already-shortchanged coalfield communities even less money to deal with decades of damage to people’s health and the environment.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands AML reauthorization Black Lung Disability Trust Fund Coal coal decline coal production covid-19 Economy just transition
Projected Layoffs for Murray Energy Workers
Bankrupt coal company Murray Energy has filed several notices warning of impending mass layoffs.
RECLAIM Act passes the House as part of larger bill
CONTACT: Dana Kuhnline, RECLAIM Campaign Coordinator 304-825-3262 dana@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Sr. Communications and Public Engagement Strategist 434-293-6373 cat@appvoices.org The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the RECLAIM Act (HR 2156) as part of The Moving Forward Act (HR 2), a…
Coal miners call on Congress for support amidst dual threats from black lung and COVID-19
The coal industry is trying to exploit the coronavirus pandemic for a tax break at the expense of healthcare and disability benefits for miners with black lung, but miners are pushing back.
Coal miners call on Congress for support amidst dual threats from black lung and COVID-19
CONTACT: Rebecca Shelton, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, rshelton@aclc.org Willie Dodson, Appalachian Voices, willie@appvoices.org (NOTE: Several miners and their family members are available for interviews; images are also available; please contact Rebecca or Willie.) The president of the Black Lung Association…
Bond-forfeited Virginia Blackjewel mines may finally have a buyer
Three Virginia strip mines, neglected in the wake of the Blackjewel bankruptcy, may finally have a buyer. But it remains to be seen if the new company would be able to reclaim the land.
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