Blog Archives

Coal bankruptcies continue to put a strain on communities

It is far too easy for coal companies to use bankruptcy to effectively hit a reset button. Once they file for bankruptcy, damages they caused and obligations they committed to are often no longer their responsibility.

TAGS:

Community groups praise Beyer bill to ensure timely coal mine cleanup

Communities across Central Appalachia welcome a bill introduced today by U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va.. The bill includes specific requirements for how quickly coal mine reclamation must be completed following coal removal.

TAGS:

Community advocates welcome Cartwright’s new legislation to fight zombie mine crisis

Community advocates from across Pennsylvania and Appalachia celebrated the introduction of two bills by Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Penn., that would take crucial action to address some of the root causes of the “zombie mine” crisis — the increasing number of non-producing modern-era mines that have not been cleaned up by the coal companies responsible for operating them.

TAGS:

Coal community advocates applaud new “10-Day Notice” rule for strengthening response to health, safety and pollution threats

This image of the Hobet Mine in West Virginia was taken during a Ten Day Notice Rule inspection spurred by local residents' concerns about contaminated water. Federal regulators determined the mine was responsible for the family's water problems and the state agency ensured that the coal company provided the family with replacement water.

This morning, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement released its final “Ten Day Notice” rule to address how the agency responds to community member complaints about safety, pollution, and other violations at coal mines across the country.

TAGS:

Coal community advocates bash cuts to federal mine reclamation funding and urge restoration in FY25 budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2024 CONTACT Trey Pollard – trey@pollardcommunications.com – 202-904-9187 READ LETTER HERE COAL COUNTRY – As Congress advances a government funding bill that slashes millions in funding for the agency charged with supporting critical mine reclamation

TAGS:

Coal Companies Point Fingers as Local Residents Contend With Flood and Home Damage

Autumn leaves dot the surface of a creek that seems to have a dark discoloration.

Geysers, dry wells, damage to buildings and strange slime in creeks have residents near Wolf Pen, West Virginia, looking for answers. Meanwhile, coal companies dodge accountability by blaming each other.

TAGS:

Prominent Navajo environmental leader to speak in Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina

Along with Andrew Atencia and Adrian Herder, organizers for Tó Nizhoní Aní, Nicole Horseherder will be visiting Appalachia in March to teach and learn about the environmental justice movement in the coalfields of Black Mesa and Appalachia, respectively.

TAGS:

Advocates release policy platform to give Congress a plan to stop zombie mines

Today, advocates from across coal-mining communities released a new federal policy platform that serves as a road map to address and prevent unreclaimed “zombie mines” — idled modern-era mines that have not been cleaned up by the responsible coal companies.

TAGS:

PRESS ADVISORY: Advocates to release policy platform to stop zombie mines

Revelation Surface Mine

On Feb. 15, advocates from across coal-mining communities will unveil a new federal policy platform that serves as a road map to address and prevent unreclaimed “zombie mines” — idled modern-era mines that have not been cleaned up by the responsible coal companies. Endorsed by 48 community and national organizations, the policy platform will offer an array of new recommended solutions to thwart the continued zombie mine crisis.

TAGS:

No time to waste averting another coal mine cleanup crisis

Regulators are ignoring a growing crisis unfolding in modern mine reclamation. Coal companies are often failing to complete timely reclamation, and safeguards to ensure mine cleanup are failing. Communities are already seeing a new, more devastating wave of abandoned mines — a problem that will get worse without action.

TAGS:

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube