The Front Porch Blog, with Updates from AppalachiaThe Front Porch Blog, with Updates from Appalachia

New report shows alarming lack of mine cleanup progress in Kentucky

Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments

A recent study found that nearly 40% of the “active” surface permits in Kentucky have been sitting idle for the last five years. The coal companies responsible for those mine permits did not produce any coal, nor did they make any progress in cleaning up the sites. [ 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 ]


Online tool helps track status of mine ownership in aftermath of Blackjewel bankruptcy

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments

The fate of thousands of acres of mines requiring tens of millions of dollars of reclamation was thrown into doubt when Blackjewel, Revelation Energy and affiliated mining operations filed for bankruptcy in July 2019. [ Read More ]


Regulators decide on Kentucky Power’s third rate hike in five years

Friday, February 26th, 2021 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments

Although the Kentucky Public Service Commission denied the utility's original request for a 25 percent rate increase, the body approved a rate hike of 12.5 percent for residential customers. [ Read More ]


Bond-forfeited Virginia Blackjewel mines may finally have a buyer

Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 | Posted by Willie Dodson | No Comments

Three Virginia strip mines, neglected in the wake of the Blackjewel bankruptcy, may finally have a buyer. But it remains to be seen if the new company would be able to reclaim the land. [ Read More ]


Citizen scientists uncover water quality violations in Kentucky national forest

Wednesday, August 28th, 2019 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments

Citizen scientists discovered that acid mine drainage is causing a creek in Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest to flow a bright orange, and they spurred state regulators to issue citations to the mine operators. But mining company Revelation Energy is in bankruptcy, which leaves big questions about who will clean up the mess — and when. [ Read More ]


RECLAIM Act back in Congress

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments

The bill to expedite spending of $1 billion in coal-impacted communities to repurpose old mine sites for new economic projects has been reintroduced into Congress with bipartisan support. [ Read More ]


Appalachians testify in Congress to end mountaintop removal

Wednesday, April 17th, 2019 | Posted by Kevin Ridder | No Comments

Residents of coal-impacted communities went to Washington, D.C., to share how strip mines have affected their lives and to support a moratorium on destructive strip mining. [ Read More ]


Takeaways from the TVA quarterly meeting

Thursday, February 21st, 2019 | Posted by Lesley Garrett | No Comments

Increased public participation but continued gaps in transparency marked TVA's recent quarterly meeting, which included a vote to close two of the utility's coal plants. [ Read More ]


Underground mine blowout causes flood, property damage in Virginia

Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 | Posted by Willie Dodson | No Comments

Accumulated water bursting out of one of CM Mining, LLC’s operations in Hurley, VA, causes flooding and property damage in nearby neighborhood. [ Read More ]


White House halts review of mountaintop removal health impacts

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments

The U.S. Department of the Interior ordered the National Academy of Sciences to halt its review of the links between mountaintop removal coal mining and human health impacts. [ Read More ]


Citizens discuss environmental threats and economic priorities during Congressman’s visit

Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments

People from coal-impacted communities across Central Appalachia recently gathered in Wise County, Va., to share their concerns and ideas with U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva. [ Read More ]



 

 


Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube