Coal mine regulations have not kept up with the industry’s collapse, leaving regulators without the money – or the legal tools – to address growing problems of scarred landscapes and polluted waters.
Blog Archives
Collapse of the coal industry: Problems and recommendations
TAGS: Coal mine reclamation mountaintop removal coal mining OSMRE SMCRA Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
National coalition urges Congress to boost support for communities transitioning from fossil fuels
CONTACT: Jeremy Richardson, Union of Concerned Scientists, jrichardson@ucsusa.org, 301-442-1326 Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 Washington, DC – As America continues to transition toward clean energy, Congress must take swift and comprehensive action to support the workers and communities —…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml biden Coal Congress economic development just transition reclaim Solar transition
Google Earth teams up with Appalachian Voices
Appalachian Voices teamed up with Google Earth on a video to show how the search engine’s satellite imagery helps us protect the environment.
Court rules that coal mines need a permit for water pollution from valley fills
Good news for clean water! Despite a setback in appeals court, overall the Red River Coal Company court ruling will help communities fight back against pollution from mountaintop removal coal mines.
Coal communities and mine cleanup at the center of federal and grassroots efforts
With bills on the Hill, proposals from the White House, new reports issued and forthcoming from grassroots advocates, and new projects underway, there is a lot happening when it comes to coal communities and mine cleanup!
TAGS: 117th Congress abandoned mine lands Biden administration Coal economic development just transition mine reclamation RECLAIM Act Rep. Matt Cartwright Sen. Joe Manchin
Community advocates herald Sen. Manchin’s coal-site reclamation bills
CONTACT: Cat McCue, Sr. Communications Strategist, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org With coal communities more in need of support and investment than ever before, today Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) unveiled two bills along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tim Kaine…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml Coal just transition kaine manchin new economy reclaim reclamation warner
The need for full AML reauthorization and more
Guest blogger Rebecca Shelton explains why politicians need to be focusing on investing more in coal communities, not less. Congress needs to pass Rep. Cartwright’s abandoned mine lands bills. Rep. Cheney’s bill, which would shortchange coal communities by slicing the fee, is unacceptable.
Coalition launches second round of funding for reclaiming coal sites
CONTACT: Joey James, Principal, Downstream Strategies, jjames@downstreamstrategies.com, 304-292-2450 Following the success of its inaugural mini-grant program in 2020, the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition is preparing to fund a new set of partners and their innovative mine land reclamation and economic development…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml Coal Downstream Strategies economic development jobs reclaim Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition reclamation
New Virginia law sets up stakeholder process to diversify coal region’s economy
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, Legislative Director, chelsea@appvoices.org, 614-205-6424 Governor Northam has signed into law a bill, passed by the General Assembly during the 2021 session, that ends decades-old tax credits for the coal industry and establishes a stakeholder process to inform…
TAGS: Coal Economic diversification just transition northam southwest virginia uva-wise vceda Virginia
Upcoming Webinar: Environmental Justice on Western Indigenous Land
The Alliance for Appalachia is hosting a webinar on April 13 to bring solidarity and support to Hopi and Diné people who are facing similar mine reclamation issues in the West.
TAGS: Black Mesa Mine Coal Diné Hopi indigenous Kayenta Mine mine reclamation navajo nation OSMRE webinar
