Posts Tagged ‘Congress’
Program seeking to link work on abandoned mine land with economic development could be improved
The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition has put out a list of 10 recommendations to improve the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Grant Program so this money is more equitably distributed and focused on transformative projects for coal-impacted communities.
Read MoreAppalachian Voices celebrates U.S. House committee’s bill to improve black lung benefits
The bill, which was reported from the committee on a party-line vote, proposes changes to the Black Lung Benefits Program that will make it easier for coal miners and their dependents to access the benefits of the program, which include a living stipend and healthcare benefits.
Read MoreAppalachian groups praise bipartisan effort to increase economic revitalization funding
Today, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives sent a letter to congressional leadership and members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees calling for increased funding to the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program for Fiscal Year 2022 as Congress works to finalize the appropriations bill before March 11.
Read MoreAdvocates applaud introduction of Rep. Scott & Adams’ 10-year extension of excise tax for Black Lung Disability Trust Fund
Today, Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2022 to extend the Coal Excise Tax for 10 years, with original cosponsors Rep. John Yarmuth (KY-3) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-12).
Read MoreBlack Lung Association and 68 organizations demand urgent action from Congress to extend Black Lung Excise Tax
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, dan@appvoices.org, (540) 798-6683 Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, (202) 904-9187 Read the letter here APPALACHIA — The National Black Lung Association and 68 other organizations sent a letter to congressional leadership Thursday urging immediate action to provide a long-term extension of the Black Lung Excise Tax. When Congress failed to pass a four-year extension…
Read MoreHistoric investments in Abandoned Mine Land Program a win for coal-impacted communities
Congress has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes the reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land Program and the largest-ever investment in abandoned coal mine cleanup! Now they must pass the Build Back Better Act to invest in workers, families and clean energy.
Read MoreBuild Back Better Framework contains key provisions to spur clean energy investments in Appalachia
CONTACT: Tom Cormons, Appalachian Voices Executive Director, tom@appvoices.org, (434) 981-6506 Jamie Goodman, Digital Communications Specialist, comms@appvoices.org, (828) 719-9493 The newly unveiled Build Back Better Framework presents a historic investment in rural America, in working families, and in ensuring a just, timely transition to cleaner energy sources that create good jobs and foster a stable climate…
Read MoreNational 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 — from Appalachia to the West — who have historically depended on the coal, oil and…
Read MoreBills to ensure coal communities are part of America’s economic recovery introduced in Congress
CONTACT: Thom Kay, Legislative Director, thom.kay@appvoices.org, 864-580-1843 Cat McCue, Communications Strategist, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 Read our March 5 blog for more background. Washington, DC — As coal-impacted communities grapple with economic decline and public health risks made significantly worse by the Covid-19 crisis, Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) and Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) introduced two bills in…
Read MoreProtecting our democracy in the face of violence means holding elected officials accountable
Every American and believer in democracy should be repulsed by the violent and seditious acts that occurred in the nation’s capital this week as the people’s elected representatives worked to finalize the lawful outcome of the presidential election.
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