Employees of DEP-certified lab conspired to violate Clean Water Act

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Employees of DEP-certified lab conspired to violate Clean Water Act

By | October 9, 2014

An employee of a state-certified company pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the federal Clean Water Act after he faked compliant water quality samples for coal companies between 2008 and 2013. While we’re appalled by this discovery, it is hard to be surprised.

Hundreds of North Carolinians attend final fracking hearing

By | September 22, 2014

Earlier this month, concerned citizens gathered in Cullowhee, N.C., for the fourth and final hearing on rules drafted to regulate hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the state. Throughout the series of hearings that began last month, it has been clear that North Carolinians overwhelmingly oppose the practice, and if the state’s rush to begin fracking can’t be completely stopped, the regulations must be stronger.

After last-minute compromise, N.C. legislature passes coal ash bill

By | August 20, 2014

However dysfunctional, the North Carolina General Assembly always seems to come together in the end — often in literally the final hours of the legislative session. After a last-minute compromise, the North Carolina legislature passed the coal ash bill on Wednesday, but fell short of promises to protect communities in the wake of the Dan River spill.

Mountaintop removal is the 800-pound gorilla at the SOAR Health Impact Series

By | August 14, 2014

Mountaintop removal’s health impacts were the number one concern of eastern Kentuckians that participated in the SOAR Health Impact Series, but the topic was barely addressed at a recent SOAR gathering in Hazard. If they hope to soar beyond political rhetoric, Rep. Hal Rogers and Gov. Steve Beshear must take those concerns seriously, and support more research into the connections between mountaintop removal and health.

Endangered Species are New Focus in Legal Case against Kentucky’s Water Quality Protections and EPA

By | August 13, 2014

Contact Appalachian Voices: Eric Chance, 828-262-1500, eric@appvoices.org Kentuckians For The Commonwealth: Suzanne Tallichet, 606-776-7970, stallichet1156@aol.com Center for Biological Diversity: Tierra Curry, 971-717-6402, tcurry@biologicaldiversity.org Sierra Club: Adam Beitman, (202) 675-2385, adam.beitman@gmail.com Defenders of Wildlife: Melanie Gade, (202) 772-0288, mgade@defenders.org Kentucky Waterways…

Seleni-what?

By | August 11, 2014

Most people have probably never heard of selenium, but for coal operators and fish it’s a big deal. Appalachian Voices’ water quality expert takes a moment to explain the issues surrounding this mineral — necessary in small amounts but toxic to aquatic life even at very low levels — and the EPA’s controversial attempts to regulate it.

Full Disclosure?

By | August 10, 2014

As North Carolina considers its first natural gas drilling rules, a survey of the region shows how states are — and aren’t — regulating fracking.

Injustices Follow Elk River Chemical Spill

By | August 10, 2014

By Kimber Ray For many in West Virginia whose water was contaminated by Freedom Industries this past January, the $11,000 fine issued against the company by federal officials in July demonstrated the failure of state and federal officials to demand…

Expecting Justice: The backward priorities of a billionaire coal baron

By | August 7, 2014

In recent years, outstanding violations and unpaid fines have weighed down coal companies owned by West Virginia billionaire Jim Justice and burdened the communities where they operate. But rather than paying his debts, Justice just spent $30 million to build a lavish sports complex on the grounds of the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.

Science vs. Mining

By | July 30, 2014

Over 2,000 miles of streams have been buried by Mountain Top Removal mining, and many more have been degraded. This seems like it should be illegal, but the destructive practice continues. That’s why Appalachian Voices has been working to keep the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry from opening up new loopholes in our environmental laws that would make it easier to poison streams.