Yesterday, a group of student leaders in eastern Kentucky took a commendable step in support of Central Appalachia’s youth and economic future. By a unanimous vote, the Appalachian Renaissance Initiative Student Senate passed a resolution of support for the Obama administration’s POWER+ Plan.
See how Appalachian congressional representatives voted on several environmental issues during late summer 2015.
It’s rare that Appalachians have their voices heard in Congress. But twice in the past month, residents have had the opportunity to testify about mountaintop removal mining at two different U.S. House hearings. The lesson we learned? Congress does not want to help end mountaintop removal and they’d prefer not to hear about it.
Appalachia’s triumphs and tragedies, its beauty and mystery, and its people’s tenacity, love and good humor have long been enshrined in fiction. This year, the stories of the region’s struggles with coal are reaching a national audience thanks to two powerful new novels.
The 114th Congress had barely opened its doors when the subject of climate change rolled up to Capitol Hill, unpacked its suitcase, and settled in for what appears to be a long stay in federal politics this year.
See how Appalachian congressional representatives voted on several environmental issues during the first month of the new Congress.
Central Appalachian communities weathering coal’s long decline would see a boost in funding under the White House budget released in February.
In 2009, representatives of the new Obama administration repeated that “the administration will do what the science calls for.” In Appalachia, the science calls for an end to mountaintop removal coal mining. Six years later, mountaintop removal is still happening.
See how Appalachia’s congressional delegation voted on environmental issues.
By Brian Sewell Kentucky: Gov. Steve Beshear did not mention coal much in his Jan. 7 State of the Commonwealth speech, but he did put the spotlight on S.O.A.R, an initiative to provide economic assistance to eastern Kentucky counties suffering…
