Library Search

Press Release March 26, 2007

Mountaintop Removal Mining Permits Illegal

Corps of Engineers violated Clean Water Act by allowing West Virginia stream and river destruction

Press Release: Victory March 23, 2007

Earthjustice Statement on Mountaintop Removal Mining Court Decision

Challenge to West Virginia mines will affect dozens of pending mining permits in Appalachia

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

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 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 February 13, 2009

Court Sides With Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Industry

Conservationists urging new administration to stop mountaintop removal coal mining

Press Release October 14, 2010

Appalachian and National Organizations Defend Obama Administration's Review of Mountaintop Removal Mining from Industry Interference

Oppose lawsuit filed by National Mining Association obstructing clean water in Appalachia

Press Release January 7, 2010

Scientists Agree Mountaintop Removal Mining is Destroying Appalachia

Obama administration should take note and follow science on pending permits

The Greenidge Generation Bitcoin mining facility, along Seneca Lake in Dresden, NY, on Jul. 30, 2022. (Lauren Petracca for Earthjustice)
feature September 23, 2022

The Environmental Impacts of Cryptomining

In the first comprehensive documentation of the explosive growth of cryptocurrency mining in the United States, a new guidebook examines how this industry is impacting utilities, energy systems, emissions, communities and ratepayers.

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…

Press Release January 12, 2010

Scientists Agree Mountaintop Removal Mining is Destroying Appalachia

Obama administration should take note and follow science on pending permits

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 August 27, 2009

Earthjustice Seeks Supreme Court Review in Mountaintop Removal Mining Case

Clean Water Act violated in issuance of permits for mining

Press Release October 23, 2008

Majority of Voters Oppose Mountaintop Removal Mining in First Nationwide Opinion Poll

Voters feel environment deteriorating, oppose push to repeal Stream Buffer Zone rule

Press Release September 11, 2009

EPA Plans Scientific Scrutiny of New Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Permits

Agency announces further environmental review of dozens of permits, citing harmful impacts to waterways, legal concerns

Article June 18, 2010

Corps Stops Rubber Stamping of Mountaintop Removal Permits

Fast-track approach to mountain destruction is suspended