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.
Blog Archives
Bill Aims to Boost Local Appalachian Economies
The RECLAIM Act, introduced in early February by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), would accelerate the release of $1 billion from the Abandoned Mine Lands Fund over the next five years and could help revitalize the economics in many areas impacted by coal’s decline.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands appalachia Appalachian economy Economic diversification mountaintop removal coal mining RECLAIM Act
Historic Clean Water Act Settlement in KY
Following a five-year legal battle regarding thousands of violations of the Clean Water Act, Appalachian Voices and our partners finalized a settlement with Frasure Creek Mining and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet in December.
TAGS: Appalachian Voices Clean Water Act Coal mining Environmental Regulations Frasure Creek Mining Frasure Creek Mining and International Coal Group Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet lawsuit mountaintop removal coal mining surface coal mines Water Pollution
Bringing Citizen Voices to the U.S. Senate
Armed with a wealth of science and quotes from residents directly impacted by mountaintop removal coal mining, our Director of Programs Matt Wasson defended the proposed Stream Protection Rule during a U.S. Senate committee hearing.
TAGS: 114th Congress Central Appalachia Congress mountaintop removal coal mining Stream Protection Rule Water Pollution
Kentucky Resident Challenges Coal Company’s Right to Mine
Not On My Land By Tarence Ray For weeks Phillip Johnson lay in bed and listened to them tear up his land. “To be honest with you, it was about the worst thing I ever experienced,” Johnson recounts. “Them ripping…
TAGS: Coal Kentucky mountaintop removal coal mining Property Rights surface mining Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
Federal agency considers restricting surface mining in Tennessee
Ridgeline corridors across a 67,000-acre area of Tennessee could be protected from surface mining. The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is considering granting the state’s request for a ban. Submit your comment in support of the Cumberland Mountains before Jan. 25!
West Virginia Communities Still at Risk Despite Idled Mines
From The Appalachian Voice: West Virginia communities are still dealing with problems related to mountaintop removal coal mining. Toxic coal slurry impoundments, increased blasting and diminished water quality are among the challenges facing such communities at risk.
Coalfields Expressway
Virginia Highway Project Raises Questions about Relationship Between Coal and Roads By Molly Moore Ever since Appalachian coal began to power the Industrial Revolution, this fuel has influenced the location and condition of roads in the coal-bearing regions. In Virginia,…
Surface Mine Proposal Puts Nearby Community and Endangered Bats At Risk
Local communities and an endangered bat species are threatened by two proposed mountaintop removal coal mines in West Virginia.
Regulators Hear from Coalfield Residents on Proposed Stream Protections
Community members voiced their opinions and concerns at public hearings about Stream Protection Rule that were held in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.
