As coal collapses, the industry is leaving behind thousands of acres of mined lands in various states of environmental destruction. A new report seeks to understand the scope of the problem and outline potential solutions.
Blog Archives
Protected or not? Coal company pushes for mine in protected Tennessee area
Federal regulators are considering a proposal for a new surface coal mine in Tennessee’s Cumberland Mountains, despite the fact that in 2016, the federal government declared most of the area in question off-limits to surface mining.
TAGS: Coal end mountaintop removal Lands Unsuitable for Mining mining permit surface mining Tennessee
Community resists proposed strip mine in Ohio State Forest
The grassroots group Friends of Perry State Forest formed to fight a proposed 550-acre strip mine in Southeast Ohio’s Perry State Forest. A key public meeting is set for Feb. 26.
New Study Maps Increase in Land Disturbed by Coal Mining
A new study shows that surface mining has cleared 1.5 million acres of land between 1976 and 2015, and also showed a drastic increase in the ratio of land cleared to tonnage of coal produced over the last three decades.
New maps reveal yearly footprint of surface coal mining in Central Appalachia
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — In a peer-reviewed study published today in PLOS ONE, researchers from SkyTruth, Duke University, and Appalachian Voices released the first-ever maps of the year-by-year footprint of surface coal mining, including mountaintop mining, in Central Appalachia. Among the…
Groups urge Tenn. governor to veto coal mining bill
Nashville, Tenn. – Today, 20 environmental and community organizations delivered a letter to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam urging him to veto legislation approved by the state House that would significantly weaken protections relating to coal mining in Tennessee. The legislation…
TAGS: Coal Cumberland Plateau haslam Mountaintop Removal Office of Suface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement OSMRE primacy surface mining tdec Tennessee Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
RECLAIMing Central Appalachia
From The Appalachian Voice: A rare bipartisan proposal aims to tackle two pressing issues related to the flailing coal industry — the need for new economic opportunities in central Appalachia and repairing environmental damage from decades of mining.
Homeowners near mine struggle with blasting damage
From The Appalachian Voice: Karen and Jerry Kirk live in a home that they believe was damaged during blasting for a nearby surface coal mine. Despite years of frustration, they have been unable to get compensation for the damage to their property.
TAGS: blasting mountaintop removal coal mining Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act surface mining West Virginia
Blasted: Homeowners near mine seek recourse for property damage
Karen and Jerry Kirk live in a home that they believe was damaged during blasting for a nearby surface mine. Despite years of frustration, they have been unable to get compensation for the damage to their property.
Federal Agency Considering Partial Surface Mining Ban in Tennessee
The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is considering a petition from the state of Tennessee to prevent surface coal mining on land within 600 feet of certain ridgelines in a 67,000-acre area north of Knoxville.
