The decline of the coal industry is exacerbating failures of the current federal system to ensure that mines are cleaned up.
Blog Archives
Mine Cleanup Concerns Grow As Industry Declines
TAGS: coal bankruptcy coal decline coal slurry impoundment mine cleanup mine reclamation Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
How a proposed rule can help communities hold coal companies accountable
The federal surface mining agency has proposed a new rule that, if finalized, will restore community members’ ability to ensure coal companies follow the law.
TAGS: 10-day notice inspection Citizen's Coal Council Hobet Mine Complex mine reclamation Red River Coal Company Sierra Club Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Tennessee enacts law halting efforts to take over surface mine regulation from federal government
On May 11, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee enacted a significant law that temporarily halts the state’s pursuit of primacy. Primacy refers to a state’s right to petition the federal government to become the primary authority in issuing surface mine permits and implementing associated regulations.
Mining agency encourages more, better stakeholder engagement for coal-impacted communities
For years, the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program has been one of the only federal grant programs targeted at revitalizing coal mining communities. It’s now being funded at its highest level to date and is getting a spruce-up from the federal agency that administers it.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands economic revitalization program Downstream Strategies economic development Justice40 Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition rural action Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
House committee to hold hearing on important coal-related bills
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.
TAGS: Acid Mine Drainage Coal mine reclamation Natural Resources Committee Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
Community advocates welcome RENEW Act to address modern-era coal mine reclamation crisis
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…
TAGS: mine reclamation modern mines RENEW Act Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Current mine clean-up laws aren’t meeting the challenge of the situation
The system to ensure that surface mines get cleaned up and restored is under intense strain as the coal industry declines, leading to dangerous conditions at many mines and putting taxpayers at risk of having to foot the bill eventually.
TAGS: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Bankruptcy Proposal Would Dodge Mine Cleanup Laws
As the Blackjewel bankruptcy continues, the responsibility to reclaim mine sites and workers’ compensation for past medical bills are still major issues.
TAGS: bankruptcy blackjewel coal bankruptcy coal miners mine reclamation Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
Environmental Groups Sue Four Coal and Chemical Facilities
Environmental groups have sued three coal facilities and one chemical plant for the alleged illegal pollution of adjacent waterways.
Kentucky Resident Challenges Coal Company’s Right to Mine
Not On My Land By Tarence Ray For weeks Phillip Johnson lay in bed and listened to them tear up his land. “To be honest with you, it was about the worst thing I ever experienced,” Johnson recounts. “Them ripping…
TAGS: Coal Kentucky mountaintop removal coal mining Property Rights surface mining Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
