The Clearfork Valley of Tennessee has been intensely surface-mined going back decades. Now, Kopper Glo Mining is moving forward with a nearly 1,500-acre mountaintop removal mine on nearby Cooper Ridge.
Blog Archives
Massive mountaintop removal mine threatens Clearfork Valley
TAGS: appalachia Clean Water Act Coal Coal mining Environment Health Mountaintop Removal Tennessee Water Pollution
White House halts review of mountaintop removal health impacts
The U.S. Department of the Interior ordered the National Academy of Sciences to halt its review of the links between mountaintop removal coal mining and human health impacts.
TAGS: Air Pollution Coal Congress Environment Health Kentucky Mountaintop Removal Tennessee Virginia Water Pollution West Virginia
Keeping the mountain in Coal River Mountain
Local groups like Coal River Mountain Watch and Kanawha Forest Coalition are critical to protecting communities living near mountaintop removal mines in West Virginia. Appalachian Voices is helping them monitor mining activities and permits.
Restoring Land for Native Plants, Bees and Streams
A new nonprofit organization, born out of the bankruptcies of Alpha Natural Resources and Patriot Coal, is hoping to bring native forests back to these lands, and restore streams that can support native aquatic life and insects.
TAGS: Appalachian Regional Commission beekeepers Coal mining economic development Mountaintop Removal
Citizens discuss environmental threats and economic priorities during Congressman’s visit
People from coal-impacted communities across Central Appalachia recently gathered in Wise County, Va., to share their concerns and ideas with U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva.
Atlantic Coast Pipeline is far from a done deal
In a classic “fake news” move, Dominion Resources execs held a tele-press conference yesterday where they basically said the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a done deal. But at least 25,000 people across W.Va., Va. and N.C. are demanding answers, such as: Is this pipeline even needed?
Appalachia is blessed with abundant water — we should protect it
“One of the resources we are most blessed with here in Appalachia is fresh drinking water of the highest quality,” writes Mackay Pierce in defense of the Stream Protection Rule, which was recently thrown out by Congress and President Trump. “We should be taking every possible measure that we can to protect it.”
Protect natural resources for Southwest Virginia’s future
For all my life, the coal economy has ruled this region and its people,” writes Ron Short of Danville, Va., in a letter supporting the Stream Protection Rule. “Now we are facing the demise of the coal industry, and we must save the valuable natural resources that we have left if we are ever to develop cultural tourism and eco-tourism as important parts of a new economy that works for everyone.”
Fighting for clean water after the Stream Protection Rule
When Congress voted last week to overturn the Stream Protection Rule, people braced themselves for the coming impacts. But threats to public water from corporate and political interests are nothing new in Central Appalachia, nor is the problem unique to this area. In the face of these threats, communities fighting for clean water need our continued support.
TAGS: appalachia Coal Congress Environment Health Mountaintop Removal Politics Stream Protection Rule Water Pollution
Appalachian Voices joins coalition to legally defend stream protections, community health
Contact: Thom Kay, Senior Legislative Representative, 864-580-1843, thom.kay [at] appvoices.org Cat McCue, Communications Director, 434-293-6373, cat [at] appvoices.org Washington DC – A coalition of local and national community and conservation groups, including Appalachian Voices, yesterday filed a motion to participate…
