cross-posted from the CCAN blog
Yesterday, the EPA performed a turn-around on its protection of the locations of 44 “high risk” coal ash impoundment sites, signaling a desire to make the regulatory body more transparent. Formerly protected under the auspices of national security, the ash impoundments, located in Ohio, Arizona, and throughout the southeast, have [...]

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Chesapeake Bay Foundation opposes the coal plant proposed for Hampton Roads (Surry County). Here are three important resources provided by CBF followed by the press release.
Map of proposed coal plant mercury impact area along with Virginia waters already under fish consumption advisory.
Map showing 8 of Virginia’s 18 largest mercury emitters are concentrated within a 60 [...]

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On Thursday, July 25, over seventy supporters of the Appalachia Restoration Act (S 696) lined up outside the door of Dirksen Senate Building for a hearing on the bill. The hearing, held by the Committee on Environment and Public Works’ Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife, was conducted by subcommittee chair Senator Ben Cardin, also a [...]

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News coverage of yesterdays Senate hearing on mountaintop removal coal mining:
The best headline thus far was printed before the hearing even started:
Washington City Paper - Mountaintop Coal Mining Face Off Starts Now!
As always, Ken Ward’s Coal Tattoo blog provided the most comprehensive coverage and analysis:
Mountaintop Removal: Jobs vs. Mayflies? NOT
Here’s a preliminary roundup of [...]

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Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia, a close ally to President Obama and current head of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), came out with this statement in favor of the Administration’s proposal regarding mountaintop removal removal yesterday.
“I applaud the new guidelines announced by the administration which will impose tighter restrictions on mountaintop mining.
“In Virginia, we’ve always [...]

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