The Washington Independent

Posts Tagged coal mining

Federal agency okays mining on pristine forest land

By | 11.10.11 | 9:08 am | More from The Colorado Independent

The United States Forest Service (USFS) Tuesday gave the green light to a 1,700-acre expansion of the West Elk coal mine 10 miles east of Paonia on Colorado’s Western Slope.

West Elk owner Arch Coal, based in St. Louis, Mo., praised the decision for its job-saving potential. Environmental groups More…

Restuccia Talks Drilling Moratorium on KALW — Listen Live

By | 10.15.10 | 2:25 pm

TWI’s Andrew Restuccia is on KALW radio’s “Your Call” right now, discussing the Obama administration’s decision to lift the deepwater drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico. Have a listen live, here.

Months After Mining Disaster, More Deaths

By | 10.05.10 | 4:44 pm

The Washington Post has a great piece today on mining safety. According to the story:

Federal regulators have increased their inspections at 89 coal mines with poor safety records, including Loveridge. They have also upped their use of orders to shut down mines until safety problems are fixed.

But

More…

Mine Safety Chief Vows to Punish Ventilation Violations

By | 08.17.10 | 5:13 pm

The Hill reported today that the head of the agency in charge of mine safety, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, has pledged to increase enforcement of ventilation standards, a key issue in the ongoing investigation of the deadly April explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in West More…

Inspectors Could Return to Exploded Massey Mine Friday

By | 06.03.10 | 10:52 am

Two teams of inspectors emerged from the Upper Big Branch mine yesterday evening, with plans to return as early as tomorrow, according to a statement just released by Massey Energy, which owns the mine.

During yesterday’s visit — which was initially aborted due to toxic gases More…

Inspectors Re-Enter Massey’s Upper Big Branch Mine

By | 06.02.10 | 4:39 pm

After toxic gasses initially turned them away, two teams of inspectors have re-entered the Upper Big Branch mine this afternoon to begin their investigation into what caused a horrific blast that took 29 lives in April, according to Massey Energy, which owns the UBB.

Two teams entered

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Into — Then Quickly Out of — the Upper Big Branch Mine

By | 06.02.10 | 3:27 pm

Nearly two months after an explosion at Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine killed 29 workers, investigators finally entered the mine on Wednesday in search of the cause. Their visit didn’t last long.

About one hour into their descent, the investigators hit toxic gases that forced them back to the surface, More…

Mountaintop Mining Threatens One of America’s Best White Water Rivers

By | 06.02.10 | 12:41 pm

The Charleston Gazette’s tireless Ken Ward Jr. notes today that, in southern West Virginia, mountaintop removal mining is threatening more than wildlife and drinking water; it’s also jeopardizing one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.

The Gauley River, among the top white water rafting More…

A Closer Look at One of Most Dangerous Coal Mines in the Country

By | 06.02.10 | 11:42 am

With so much focus on West Virginia’s coal mines following April’s deadly blast at the Upper Big Branch, The Washington Post today has a good reminder that the safety concerns surrounding the industry transcend state boundaries.

In a front-page feature, reporter Kimberly Kindy takes a close look at the More…

Massey’s Upper Big Branch Mine Still Racking Up Safety Violations

By | 05.26.10 | 1:25 pm

The coal mine that exploded last month in West Virginia — killing 29 workers and all but killing a 30th — may be shuttered in the wake of the blast, but federal regulators continue to find safety problems there. As The Charleston Gazette’s Ken Ward Jr. reports today, More…