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Mountaintop removal mining has devastated West Virginia. Let's not allow deep sea mining to do the same to the ocean.
(David T. Stephenson / Shutterstock)
Press Release April 5, 2019

Earthjustice Endorses Legislation to Protect Families from Mountaintop Removal Mining Health Effects

Trump administration cancelled NAS study examining potential links to negative health outcomes in 2017

Press Release May 1, 2013

United Nations Working Group Concludes U.S. Visit Exploring Human Rights Cost of Mountaintop Removal Mining

The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights has concluded a visit to communities in West Virginia to explore the human rights cost of mountaintop removal mining. In West Virginia on Thursday of last week (April 25), the UN Working Group conducted morning meetings with officials at the West Virginia Department of Environmental…

An aerial view of Marsh Fork Elementary School, which sat at the foot of a huge mountaintop removal mining site.
(Photo Courtesy of Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition)
Article August 27, 2014

ACHE Act: A Way to End Mountaintop Removal Mining

Coalfield residents living near mountaintop removal mining sites have long suspected this terrible, destructive practice is hurting our health.
I first started thinking about it during the long fight to replace the Marsh Fork Elementary School, which sat at the foot of a huge mountaintop removal mining site near my home in Peachtree Hollow.

Press Release August 16, 2011

New Poll Finds Powerful Opposition to Mountaintop Removal Mining in the Heart of Coal Country

Appalachians also overwhelmingly support increasing clean water protections

Satellite imagery of the massive Hobet mine, taken in 2013.
(NASA Earth Observatory)
Article January 3, 2013

The Poverty of Mountaintop Removal Mining

Associate Attorney Neil Gormley took a trip to West Virginia to visit partners and clients and to see the effects of mountaintop removal mining first-hand. As he explains, his visit prompted questions about the relationship between this destructive practice and regional poverty.

Press Release July 31, 2012

Two Major Decisions on Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Appalachian communities win challenge to state permit, but still seeking federal protection from devastating mines and pollution

Mountaintop removal is a form of strip mining in which explosives are used to blast off the tops of mountains in order to reach the coal seams that lie underneath.
(Photo courtesy of OVEC)
Press Release July 25, 2018

Coal River Mountain Watch, Earthjustice Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Mountaintop Removal Study Shutdown

Administration halted study on public health risks without explanation in August 2017

The site of the Spruce No. 1 mine, in West Virginia.
(Photo Courtesy of Vivian Stockman / OVEC; Flyover courtesy SouthWings)
Press Release: Victory July 19, 2016

Appeals Court Upholds EPA Veto of Spruce No. 1 Mountaintop Removal Mine Permit

U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. affirms district court; finds U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reasonably and lawfully decided that huge mountaintop removal mine in WV would cause unacceptable environmental harm

Article November 16, 2012

Patriot Agrees To End Mountaintop Removal Mining

Yesterday, one of the nation’s top coal companies, Patriot Coal, announced that it is getting out of the business of mountaintop removal mining. The decision comes out of a settlement with several Appalachian community groups—West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Sierra Club, represented by Appalachian Mountain Advocates—requiring Patriot to clean up toxic selenium…

Press Release May 7, 2013

Groups Petition U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Water Quality Standard in Appalachia to Protect Communities from Mountaintop Removal Mining Pollution

Appalachian communities need EPA to set a water quality standard to protect them from mountaintop removal mining pollution

Article May 6, 2011

Voices of Silence: People Living With Mountaintop Removal Mining

Last Thursday, the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held an absurdly one-sided hearing entitled “EPA Mining Policies: Assault on Appalachian Jobs – Part I.” I’ve never heard so much agreement in Congress — but that was, of course, because the only people allowed to speak were chosen to speak because they were already…

Article June 19, 2012

Bill Will Protect Communities, Families From Mountaintop Removal

Big news today in our fight to end destructive mountaintop removal mining: 13 congressional leaders joined to introduce legislation to protect communities and families from the dangerous health effects of our nation’s most extreme form of coal mining—mountaintop removal mining. The Appalachian Community Health Emergency Act is the first federal legislation to address the human…

Press Release July 21, 2011

EPA Issues Final Guidance on Mountaintop Removal Mining To Reaffirm the Clean Water Act and New Science

Guidance focuses on ensuring compliance with longstanding requirements where stronger oversight is essential to protect water quality and Appalachian communities

Press Release February 13, 2009

Court Sides With Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Industry

Conservationists urging new administration to stop mountaintop removal coal mining

Article April 20, 2010

Momentum Builds Against Mountaintop Removal Mining

EPA embraces science and the law in two strong actions

Press Release September 12, 2012

Mountain Heroes and Citizens Gather at White House To Call on Nation's Leaders To End Mountaintop Removal Mining

A Solidarity Day at White House and historic photo petition delivery to save communities, public health, and mountains

Article October 21, 2011

Mountaintop Removal: A View From Up Above

Recently, thanks to a nonprofit flight operation called SouthWings, I had the opportunity to fly in a small airplane over a mountaintop removal coal mining site in West Virginia.
We flew over the Hobet mountaintop removal mining site, which measures to more than 20 square miles of demolition, and though I will try to put what I saw into words, it can only really be understood through the eyes. So I’m sharing a few photos that illustrate a scale of destruction that words cannot convey.

Press Release January 12, 2010

Scientists Agree Mountaintop Removal Mining is Destroying Appalachia

Obama administration should take note and follow science on pending permits