Archive for the ‘Mining’
MSHA appoints team to investigate Upper Big Branch South Mine explosion
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration has appointed a team to investigate the April 5 explosion at the Upper Big Branch South Mine (Performance Coal Co.) in Whitesville, W.Va. “Twenty-five hardworking men died unnecessarily in a mine Monday,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The very best way [...]
The race to stand up for coal
by Ken Ward Jr. Well, the race to stand up for coal continues at the West Virginia Legislature … Yesterday, the Coal Association lobbyists gave their pitch about mining permits to the special committee set up by House Speaker Rick Thompson. There are reports out from Larry Messina at The Associated Press and Ry Rivard [...]
Blair Mountain update: History group to appeal delisting
by Ken Ward Jr. My buddy Paul Nyden had the story Sunday, updating us all on plans for an appeal of the Obama administration’s decision to remove Blair Mountain from the National Register of Historic Places. Paul included some interesting comments from Harvard Ayers, a retired archaeology and anthropology professor at Appalachian State University in [...]
WVa mine may not be reason for fish dying
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia environmental officials now say a nearby coal mine may not be the only reason fish are dying in Dunkard Creek. Department of Environmental Protection officials say more dead fish have been found in the creek, but more than a mile upstream from Consol Energy’s Blacksville No. 2 mine. DEP [...]
Coal’s costs outweigh benefits, WVU study find …
By Ken Ward Jr. Click here to read the study. Click here to read more in Coal Tattoo. CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal mining costs Appalachians five times more in early deaths as the industry provides to the region in jobs, taxes and other economic benefits, according to a groundbreaking new study co-authored by a West [...]
EPA to scrutinize dozens of mining permits
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Dozens of coal-mining permits proposed across Appalachia need much more scrutiny because of concerns they will illegally damage water quality, the Obama administration said Friday. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials announced that they would conduct more detailed reviews of 79 permit applications that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had proposed to [...]
Will Feds Take Down WVA’s Embarrassing DEP?
Jeff Biggers: VIDEO UPDATE: Coalfield Uprising Grows: Will Feds Take Down WVA’s Embarrassing DEP?: “This might be a first in the country: The failed West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is emerging as such an embarrassingly pro-coal anti-mountain public relations nightmare for Gov. Joe Manchin that even retired coal miners have taken to the streets [...]
