Posts Tagged ‘Coal’
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 closure. The report, entitled Virginia Coal Plant’s Future Isn’t Bright: Preparation for Transition Should Commence…
Read MoreVirginia 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.
Read MoreCovid’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.
Read MoreProjected Layoffs for Murray Energy Workers
Bankrupt coal company Murray Energy has filed several notices warning of impending mass layoffs.
Read MoreRECLAIM 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 bill to address America’s infrastructure needs and create jobs in the wake of the economic…
Read MoreCoal 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.
Read MoreCoal 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 (BLA), members of Women of Black Lung, and officers of eleven local BLA chapters across…
Read MoreBond-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.
Read MoreCompanies play hot potato with unreclaimed Blackjewel mines
Virginia regulators, a surety insurance company, and two coal companies are playing hot potato with 22 of bankrupt Blackjewel’s coal permits — and none of them want to be left with the responsibility of reclaiming the sites.
Read MoreJustice family mines pose massive threat to Virginia reclamation fund
Satellite photos taken years apart reveal that little reclamation has taken place at several Virginia mines owned by the family of billionaire West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice.
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