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Matt Hepler
A Bath County, Va., native, Matt uses his backgrounds in geography, GIS mapping and hydrology to help protect Appalachian communities from coal mining pollution as a member of our Central Appalachian / End Mountaintop Removal team. He's also a fantastic square dance caller.
Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
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. [
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Monday, January 17th, 2022 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
An upcoming federal review of a mining rule could help speed up the process for coalfield residents who file federal complaints about state mining agencies. [
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Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
The fate of thousands of acres of mines requiring tens of millions of dollars of reclamation was thrown into doubt when Blackjewel, Revelation Energy and affiliated mining operations filed for bankruptcy in July 2019. [
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Monday, July 26th, 2021 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
A new Tennessee law that changes the way surface mining is regulated in the state will force Tennessee taxpayers to prop up the industry and make it easier for coal operators to walk away from mine reclamation. [
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Thursday, May 20th, 2021 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
Good news for clean water! Despite a setback in appeals court, overall the Red River Coal Company court ruling will help communities fight back against pollution from mountaintop removal coal mines. [
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Friday, August 21st, 2020 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
Even before the pandemic, a growing number of coal companies were declaring bankruptcy — and now the decades-long decline of coal is in a nosedive. This will leave already-shortchanged coalfield communities even less money to deal with decades of damage to people's health and the environment. [
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Monday, May 18th, 2020 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
Recent developments in the Blackjewel bankruptcy case raise more doubts about whether the serious reclamation problems at many of its coal sites will be properly addressed anytime soon. [
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Thursday, March 19th, 2020 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
Satellite photos taken years apart reveal that little reclamation has taken place at several Virginia mines owned by the family of billionaire West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice. [
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2019 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
Citizen scientists discovered that acid mine drainage is causing a creek in Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest to flow a bright orange, and they spurred state regulators to issue citations to the mine operators. But mining company Revelation Energy is in bankruptcy, which leaves big questions about who will clean up the mess — and when. [
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Tuesday, February 26th, 2019 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
A federal bankruptcy judge ruled that Westmoreland Coal Company can back out of its collective bargaining agreements with current workers and retirees as soon as Feb. 28, putting pensions and health benefits for thousands of people at risk. [
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Friday, January 11th, 2019 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
Westmoreland Coal's bankruptcy puts health benefits for 500 Virginians and pensions for 7,000 former Virginia miners in jeopardy. A bill proposed in the Senate would protect these benefits — and also shore up the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. [
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
In October 2018, the oldest coal company in the United States filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While now largely operating in the western United States, Westmoreland has many ties to Southwest Virginia. [
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