Coal Archives < Page 35 of 56 < Appalachian Voices

Report Tracks the Erosion of Coal’s Energy Dominance

By Appalachian Voices | September 4, 2013 |

By Nolen Nychay Editorial intern, Fall 2013 A report from Goldman Sachs’ commodities research team predicts a decline in global coal production as a result of decreasing demand. While coal-fired electricity still accounts for 36 percent of international electricity generation, according to the report, emerging global trends are predictive of a lower dependence on coal-produced…

Interview with Tom Perriello

By Molly Moore | August 23, 2013 |

Tom Perriello, a lifelong resident of Ablemarle County, Va., is a steadfast supporter of environmental and poverty concerns. He used his background in law to prosecute warlords in West Africa, was named one of Time Magazine’s “40 under 40” in 2010, and represented Virginia’s 5th district from 2009 to 2011. While in Congress, he supported…

Climate Action Plan has Major Implications for Coal

By Molly Moore | August 23, 2013 |

By Brian Sewell In late June, President Obama announced his administration’s climate action plan. The speech at Georgetown University signaled to Congress that the president was keeping his promise to come up with executive actions to address the threat of climate change, and reignited claims of a “war on coal” in Central Appalachia and nationwide.…

North Carolina Sues Duke Energy Over Coal Ash Pollution, Again

By Brian Sewell | August 19, 2013 |

In recent months, but only after prolonged pressure from concerned citizens and environmental groups, it seemed the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources was finally ready to take Duke Energy to task over coal ash pollution. But when DENR and Duke put forth a proposed settlement that came with a fine of just $99,000…

House Republicans fight for mountaintop removal mining

By Thom Kay | August 7, 2013 |

A lopsided legislative hearing held by the House Natural Resources committee last Friday is further proof that fans of mountaintop removal mining aren’t giving up without a fight. The hearing focused on legislation recently introduced by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), a proud coal industry advocate, and Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), a pro-coal congressman in his…

Committee to Vote on Mountaintop Removal Tomorrow

By Thom Kay | July 30, 2013 |

Tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., the U.S. House Appropriations Committee will vote on a bill that is an egregious attack on the environment. The Appropriations bill before them would sharply cut funding for the Department of the Interior and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, and prevent the agencies from improving the regulation of mountaintop removal…

Concerns Grow Over the EPA’s Stance on Selenium Pollution

By Erin Savage | July 25, 2013 |

In February, we wrote about the new selenium water quality standards being proposed by the Kentucky Division of Water and urged concerned citizens to express their concern to the state. Now, Kentucky has gone ahead with its proposal, submitting the new standards to the EPA for review. While the EPA may deny Kentucky’s proposed standards,…

The Environment on The Hill: Congress Continues to Undermine Essential Protections

By Thom Kay | July 24, 2013 |

Yesterday was a busy day on Capitol Hill. With multiple hearings on environmental issues in the House and Senate, Congress is trying to get a lot of business done before the August recess. House Natural Resources Committee Questions OSM Director Pizarchik Joseph Pizarchik, Director of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSM) was…

A Great Day for Virginia Streams

By Eric Chance | July 23, 2013 |

Yesterday, advocates for clean water won a major court victory in Virginia. Under a court order, A&G Coal will be the first coal company in Virginia required to get a permit for their discharges of toxic selenium. U.S. District Judge James P. Jones ruled that because the company did not tell regulators that they might…

Court Rules to Protect Virginia Rivers and Streams from Mining Pollution: A & G Coal to be Held Responsible for Unpermitted Discharges of Toxic Selenium