How the Coal Mine Cleanup System is Failing

Blog Archives

How the Coal Mine Cleanup System is Failing

By | August 24, 2022

A desolate patch of disturbed ground sits as a result of an abandoned surface mine.

The bankruptcy of coal company Blackjewel has exposed many flaws in the current mine cleanup system.

Major progress for action to address acid mine drainage crisis as STREAM Act passes House with strong bipartisan support

By | July 29, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2022 Contact: Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, 202-904-9187 COAL COUNTRY — Today, advocates for abandoned mine clean up and clean water across the country celebrated as the U.S. House passed the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of…

Community organizations applaud action in Congress to advance bipartisan bill to address acid mine drainage crisis

By | July 13, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2022 Contact: Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, 202-904-9187 APPALACHIA — Today, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources held a mark-up of the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines (STREAM) Act — bipartisan…

Congress considers bills to address coal mining impacts at June hearing

By | June 22, 2022

During a recent U.S. House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing, Erin Savage of Appalachian Voices and two other Appalachian residents testified about acid mine drainage, abandoned mine sites and the impacts of ongoing mountaintop removal coal mining.

Report recommends improvements to Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization program

By | June 9, 2022

A new report finds that the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization program is having a significant impact, but recommends improvements for speeding the implementation of projects.

House committee to hold hearing on important coal-related bills

By | June 8, 2022

On June 9, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing discussing important coal-related legislation, including a bill that would shore up the troubled mine cleanup system and another that would ensure that abandoned mine land funding can be used for long-term acid mine drainage treatment facilities.

Community advocates welcome RENEW Act to address modern-era coal mine reclamation crisis

By | June 3, 2022

CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683), dan@appvoices.org Trey Pollard, 202-904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com APPALACHIA — More than a dozen community groups from across coal country announced their support of U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb’s RENEW (Revitalize, Enhance, and Nurture in Expanded Ways Our Abandoned…

Citizen groups notify Justice-owned coal company of intent to sue over reclamation violations

By | May 10, 2022

A coal company owned by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and his family has been notified that Appalachian Voices, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and Sierra Club are planning to file a lawsuit over its failure to clean up three Wise County, Virginia, mines.

34 community organizations endorse new bipartisan House & Senate bills to address acid mine drainage crisis

By | March 30, 2022

CONTACT: Trey Pollard, 202-904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com APPALACHIA — Today, advocates and organizations from coal-impacted communities announced their support for the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines (STREAM) Act – new bipartisan legislation that would guarantee that major…

Webinar series to explore coal impacts and just transition issues

By | March 17, 2022

Appalachian Voices is working with our partners in the RECLAIM Coalition to put on a series of educational webinars this spring that will take an in-depth look at a number of issues related to coal mine cleanup and economic transition in coal-impacted communities.