Coal Newsroom

Mountaintop removal mining protests going national

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Activists with Mountain Justice, Rainforest Action Network and other groups planned protests at Environmental Protection Agency headquarters and across the country Friday to demand the end of mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia.

An online map showed more than two dozen planned events from California to Maine, including demonstrations at a regional EPA office in Philadelphia and a New Jersey office of JPMorgan & Chase Co., a bank environmentalists say is the biggest financier of the destructive form of strip mining.

Associated Press
Friday, October 30, 2009

EPA identifies 79 coal mine permits for review

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Obama administration on Friday stepped up its efforts to curb environmental damage from surface coal mining, announcing plans to give 79 permit applications in four states additional scrutiny.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it wants to make certain the proposed mines won't cause water pollution and violate the Clean Water Act. An initial review concluded all 79 probably would affect water quality and require additional study, the EPA said.

Associated Press
Saturday, September 12, 2009

Hansen of NASA Arrested in Coal Country

DESCRIPTION

by RAN Field Photography

Hansen of NASA Arrested in Coal Country
Dot Earth Blog: New York Times
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hundreds Rally at W.Va. Department of Environmental Protection against Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Release Date: 
Monday, December 7, 2009

CHARLESTON, W.Va.- West Virginians and their allies, including Robert Kennedy, Jr., rallied today at the headquarters of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to call for an end to mountaintop removal coal mining, starting with an end to the blasting of Coal River Mountain. Coal River Mountain, the site of a proposed wind farm, is becoming a line in the sand for those demanding an end to the mining practice.

Mountaintop Removal Mining Protests Go National

Release Date: 
Friday, October 30, 2009

WASHINGTON-- Hundreds are participating today with Mountain Justice, Rainforest Action Network and other environmental groups in nationwide protests demanding an end to mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia. As part of the national day of action, 14 people staged a sit-in at the EPA headquarters in Washington, DC. They were joined by approximately 50 coalfield residents and allies who held a rally in front of the building.

Statement on EPA’s Decision on Mountaintop Removal Permits

Release Date: 
Friday, September 11, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will hold dozens of mountaintop removal permits for further review. Following is a statement by Michael Brune, Executive Director of Rainforest Action Network (RAN):

“Today was a moment of truth for the EPA. By recognizing the irreversible destruction caused by mountaintop removal coal mining, the EPA has taken an important stand in support of the people and ecosystems of Appalachia. The agency seems to recognize that there is no environmentally safe way to demolish mountains.

Hansen of NASA Arrested in Coal Country

Release Date: 
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

by

Dr. James Hansen and Daryl Hannah Arrested in Protest on Mountaintop Removal

Release Date: 
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

CONTACTS: Nell Greenberg, 510-847-9777

Hi-res photos and video available

Today Top Climate Scientist James Hansen and Actress Daryl Hannah were Arrested in Effort to Stop Mountaintop Removal

Also arrested was former Representative Ken Hechler, Michael Brune of Rainforest Action Network, Goldman Winner Judy Bonds and more than a dozen Appalachian residents and allies

Protest on the heels of Obama administration’s new policy on the destructive coal mining practice

No consensus on climate change document at indigenous summit

Release Date: 
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Indigenous delegates at a UN conference on climate change in Alaska could not agree on a final summit document due to disagreements over oil and gas drilling on native lands.

Some delegations at the UN-sponsored Indigenous Peoples' Global Summit on Climate Change were demanding a complete moratorium. Others disputed that language, saying that the use of fossil fuels should be phased out but indigenous people should be allowed to develop their resources.

Top Climate Scientist James Hansen, Actress Daryl Hannah and Former Representative Ken Hechler join Appalachian Residents in Peaceful Protest to Stop Mountaintop Removal

Release Date: 
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

CONTACTS:

Bo Webb, 304-854-7104

Nell Greenberg, 510-847-9777

Hi-res photos and video available

view all related news »