In 2021, the Government Accountability Office found big problems with the Labor Department’s current rules because they do not require sufficient collateral to cover both current and future black lung liabilities. [ Read More ]
Gaming the system — Part II
Friday, June 9th, 2023 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
Congress stated clearly that coal operators, instead of taxpayers, would shoulder the cost of black lung when it set up the Black Lung Trust Fund. The trust fund was intended to be a backstop for miners rather than a means for coal operators to underinsure their liabilities. [ Read More ]
Gaming the system — Part I
Thursday, June 8th, 2023 | Posted by Guest Contributor | 1 Comment
At its core, this is the age-old story of corporate greed whereby rapacious mine operators, who have subjected generations of miners to disabling and fatal black lung disease, managed to transfer their responsibility to pay black lung benefits to suffering coal miners from their corporate coffers to the taxpayer’s pockets. [ Read More ]
Tennessee enacts law halting efforts to take over surface mine regulation from federal government
Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments
On May 11, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee enacted a significant law that temporarily halts the state's pursuit of primacy. Primacy refers to a state's right to petition the federal government to become the primary authority in issuing surface mine permits and implementing associated regulations. [ Read More ]
Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition report shows how mine cleanup can boost local economies
Friday, May 26th, 2023 | Posted by Rance Garrison | No Comments
The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition recently released its 2023 report, “National to Neighborhoods: Catalyzing Opportunities for Coal-Impacted Communities.” The report highlights the coalition’s current work and projects across the Appalachian coalfields of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. [ Read More ]
What is the debt ceiling, and how could it be used to try to ram through MVP?
Friday, May 19th, 2023 | Posted by Dan Radmacher | 1 Comment
What is the debt ceiling, and why can it be used to gain leverage to pass unpopular legislation that otherwise wouldn’t have the necessary votes? [ Read More ]
Building future resilience to extreme cold in the wake of North Carolina’s rolling blackouts
Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 | Posted by Maddy Koch | 1 Comment
PSE Healthy Energy’s report shows that it’s not necessary for Duke Energy to wait for another emergency situation or just build more electricity generation because “targeted investments in weatherization, energy efficient appliances and demand response programs can keep demand lower and more stable in cold temperatures, and prevent another blackout.” [ Read More ]
Hydrogen gas — what’s all the hype about?
Friday, May 5th, 2023 | Posted by Emily Piontek | 1 Comment
Hydrogen gas as an energy source in Central Appalachia is a real possibility, so we’re unpacking this technology and exploring its potential impact on the health of communities and ecosystems in our region. [ Read More ]
Not On This Land: Documentary celebrates the community-led fight against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 | Posted by Jessica Sims | No Comments
The two screenings brought together people to celebrate the fight that brought down the behemoth ACP. “Not On This Land: The Fight Against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline,” directed by Christopher Landry, profiles some of the West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina communities who helped defeat the fracked-gas pipeline. [ Read More ]
Governor Youngkin, have you heard? Virginians love RGGI!
Friday, April 28th, 2023 | Posted by Emily Piontek | 13 Comments
Virginians speak up about Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposal to exit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGG limits carbon pollution from power plants at the lowest possible cost while funneling millions of dollars into at-risk communities. [ Read More ]
Mining agency encourages more, better stakeholder engagement for coal-impacted communities
Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 | Posted by Chelsea Barnes | No Comments
For years, the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program has been one of the only federal grant programs targeted at revitalizing coal mining communities. It's now being funded at its highest level to date and is getting a spruce-up from the federal agency that administers it. [ Read More ]
Remembering Harvard Ayers, founder of Appalachian Voices
Friday, March 10th, 2023 | Posted by Matt Wasson | 5 Comments
Harvard Ayers, founder of Appalachian Voices, passed away on March 9, 2023. Ayers was a true visionary and leaves behind a powerful legacy for the people and environment of Appalachia. [ Read More ]
