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.
Blog Archives
New Growth on Former Coal Mines
Independent farmers and entrepreneurial groups are looking to abandoned mine land sites and seeing potential for agricultural projects, both large and small.
TAGS: Agriculture Coal mining economic development local farming mine reclamation sustainable agriculture
Bill Could Boost Funding to Reclaim Abandoned Mines
If passed, the RECLAIM Act could provide much needed funding to clean up abandoned mine lands and prepare these sites for economically beneficial uses.
Canaan Valley Institute Rebuilds Destroyed Waterways
Restoring streams damaged by coal mining is hard work, but in West Virginia, the nonprofit Canaan Valley Institute is making progress rebuilding watersheds.
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 Fight New Mines and Mining Problems in West Virginia
Citizens continue to fight mountaintop removal mining happening in West Virginia. As the state’s Surface Mine Board continues to issue new permits, watchdog groups remain vigilant in monitoring for environmental violations.
Testifying Before Congress on Mine Reclamation
Thom Kay, our senior legislative representative, testified before Congress in May regarding reclamation of former coal mines. He spoke before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Environmental regulations didn’t cause coal’s decline — and rollbacks won’t save it.
Despite his repeated promises to do so, President Trump is unlikely to revive the coal industry through federal policy, and CEOs of electric utilities and coal mining companies know it.
TAGS: appalachia clean energy Climate change Coal coal companies bankruptcy Coal mining Duke Energy Energy Efficiency EPA Politics Trump administration
Coal slurry spill in West Virginia linked to Alpha Natural Resources affiliate
A coal slurry spill on March 23, 2017, leaked approximately 5,400 gallons of coal slurry into Crooked Run, a tributary of the Coal River. The processing plant in Boone County, W.Va., where the spill originated is affiliated with Alpha Natural Resources.
Trump’s pick for Commerce has troubled history in coal
Wilbur Ross — a man who helmed a large Kentucky coal company with a troubled history of environmental and miner safety violations — has been chosen to be the next U.S. Secretary of Commerce. If President-elect Trump truly believes that economic growth and opportunity can only be gained at the expense of worker safety, community health and clean water, he could make no better pick than Ross.
