It is far too easy for coal companies to use bankruptcy to effectively hit a reset button. Once they file for bankruptcy, damages they caused and obligations they committed to are often no longer their responsibility.
Blog Archives
Community groups praise Beyer bill to ensure timely coal mine cleanup
Communities across Central Appalachia welcome a bill introduced today by U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va.. The bill includes specific requirements for how quickly coal mine reclamation must be completed following coal removal.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Kiva Institute mine reclamation ReImagine Appalachia Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act U.S. Rep. Don Beyer. zombie mines zombie mines
Community advocates welcome Cartwright’s new legislation to fight zombie mine crisis
Community advocates from across Pennsylvania and Appalachia celebrated the introduction of two bills by Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Penn., that would take crucial action to address some of the root causes of the “zombie mine” crisis — the increasing number of non-producing modern-era mines that have not been cleaned up by the coal companies responsible for operating them.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center mine reclamation Mountain Watershed Association Pennfuture Rep. Matt Cartwright Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act The Citizens Coal Council zombie mines
Coal community advocates applaud new “10-Day Notice” rule for strengthening response to health, safety and pollution threats
This morning, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement released its final “Ten Day Notice” rule to address how the agency responds to community member complaints about safety, pollution, and other violations at coal mines across the country.
Coal community advocates bash cuts to federal mine reclamation funding and urge restoration in FY25 budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2024 CONTACT Trey Pollard – trey@pollardcommunications.com – 202-904-9187 READ LETTER HERE COAL COUNTRY – As Congress advances a government funding bill that slashes millions in funding for the agency charged with supporting critical mine reclamation…
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center mine reclamation U.S. Congress U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement zombie mines
Coal Companies Point Fingers as Local Residents Contend With Flood and Home Damage
Geysers, dry wells, damage to buildings and strange slime in creeks have residents near Wolf Pen, West Virginia, looking for answers. Meanwhile, coal companies dodge accountability by blaming each other.
TAGS: Alpha Natural Resources Bluestone Resources Coal Contura mine reclamation Pinn MC Wind Down Co. Pinnacle Mine Complex West Virginia Geysers Wolf Pen
Prominent Navajo environmental leader to speak in Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina
Along with Andrew Atencia and Adrian Herder, organizers for Tó Nizhoní Aní, Nicole Horseherder will be visiting Appalachia in March to teach and learn about the environmental justice movement in the coalfields of Black Mesa and Appalachia, respectively.
Advocates release policy platform to give Congress a plan to stop zombie mines
Today, advocates from across coal-mining communities released a new federal policy platform that serves as a road map to address and prevent unreclaimed “zombie mines” — idled modern-era mines that have not been cleaned up by the responsible coal companies.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center mine reclamation modern mines Western Organization of Resource Councils zombie mines
PRESS ADVISORY: Advocates to release policy platform to stop zombie mines
On Feb. 15, advocates from across coal-mining communities will unveil a new federal policy platform that serves as a road map to address and prevent unreclaimed “zombie mines” — idled modern-era mines that have not been cleaned up by the responsible coal companies. Endorsed by 48 community and national organizations, the policy platform will offer an array of new recommended solutions to thwart the continued zombie mine crisis.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center mine reclamation modern mines Western Organization of Resource Councils zombie mines
No time to waste averting another coal mine cleanup crisis
Regulators are ignoring a growing crisis unfolding in modern mine reclamation. Coal companies are often failing to complete timely reclamation, and safeguards to ensure mine cleanup are failing. Communities are already seeing a new, more devastating wave of abandoned mines — a problem that will get worse without action.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands coal bankruptcy mine reclamation mountaintop removal coal mining Sierra Club Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement zombie mines
