Mountain Holler
EPA investigates Massey on Coal River Mountain! November, 25 2009The EPA questions whether Massey should be blasting without having received the 404 valley fill permits.
URGENT: Take action to Save Coal River Mountain! October, 29 2009
Blasting has begun -- take action now to call for a halt, to protect our communities and save the land for renewable wind energy.
Tell the Army Corps to Stop Rubber-Stamping Valley Fill Permits! October, 6 2009
Attend a public hearing to speak out against the Army Corps of Engineer's permitting process, Nationwide Permit 21, that allows valley fill permits to slide through on a fast-track.
Anti-mountaintop removal arrestees need your help! July, 2 2009
On June 23, 30 people including Dr. James Hansen and Actress Daryl Hannah were arrested outside the gates of Massey Energy's Goals Coal plant in Sundial, WV. Please help donate to the legal funds.
Two Great Studies Released Last Week June, 30 2009
Last week, MACED and Dr. Hendryx of WVU each released a report on the economics of coal.
State Supreme Court Approves Second Silo Behind Marsh Fork Elementary June, 12 2009
The WV State Supreme court sided with Massey approving the second coal silo behind Marsh Fork Elementary School
17 Arrested Protesting Mountaintop Removal May, 27 2009
17 people were arrested on May 23 protesting mountaintop removal in West Virginia!
End of the road for Coal Slurry Ban Bill April, 14 2009
After a short legislative session of lobbying, the Slurry Ban Bill, SB 568 died in the Energy, Industry, and Mining committee. It was not all a loss though.
EPA Puts a Hold On MTR Permits!!! March, 24 2009
After the 4th circuit overturned Judge Chambers' decision banning Valley Fills, the EPA put a hold on Valley Fill Permits.
Anti-Sludge Bill Introduced March, 20 2009
Last Week a bill bannign the underground injection of coal slurry was introduced into the West Virginia State Senate.
West Virginia Ranks Dead Last in Well Being Poll March, 11 2009
In a recent Gallup Poll on Well-Being, West Virginia ranked dead last with Kentucky following in a close second.
Remember Buffalo Creek! Speak out today for environmental justice February, 26 2009
Honor the memory of the victims of Buffalo Creek by calling on our public officials to protect our health and safety. Send in comments about the permit renewal for a prep plant that feeds the largest coal sludge pond in the U.S. and ask your representatives to sponsor a bill that would be a giant step in heading mountaintop removal.
What's in Our Water? Empowering Community Members to Help Find Out February, 23 2009
The Sludge Safety Project is pursuing research projects where community members partner up with scientists to study the health effects of coal slurry in their drinking water. Residents can get involved right now to help make the projects happen.
American Citizens in Appalachia Are Living in a State of Terror February, 20 2009
A letter to President Obama from a resident of the Coal River Valley asking that he please end mountaintop removal and the coal industry's reign of terror on the people of West Virginia
Hearings hearings, hearings February, 11 2009
We had a week full of hearings in West Virginia. Even the state legislature got in on the action demanding to know why the DEP isn't doing its job. Good Question.
Defending Coal River Mountain: 14 arrested, dozens rally February, 9 2009
14 arrested in 2 waves of protest against mountaintop removal mining. Roughly 50 more citizens rallied to oppose blasting near a 9-billion-gallon sludge dam. The operations would endanger the community and destroy the mountain's wind energy potential.
Say NO to Carbon Capture and Sequestration January, 28 2009
Comments are needed by this Friday to help stop American Electric Power's plans for Carbon Capture and Sequestration in Mason County, WV.
Help get justice for victims of TVA Fly Ash Dam Break January, 8 2009
Residents of Roane County need your help. Two weeks ago TVA's coal ash disposal pond broke sending over one billion gallons of toxic waste into the yards and homes of the people of people of Roane County.
Bringing Clean Water to Prenter Hollow December, 16 2008
CRMW is helping bring clean water to people who have had their drinking water supply contaminated with coal slurry injection.
Study Shows Wind Farm Benefits People more than MTR December, 13 2008
A recently released study by Downstream Strategies shows that, among other things, a wind farm on Coal River Mountain would predominantly benefit the people of the area and local government, whereas the proposed MTR site would benefit an out of state mining company.
Majora Carter and Judy Bonds November, 17 2008
Image of Judy and Majora Carter
2008 Fall Student Summit October, 27 2008
Coal River Mountain Watch, SEAC, and SEN will be hosting the 2008 Fall Student Summit in the Coal River Valley.
Ivan Steifel wins Brower Youth Award October, 20 2008
Our good friend Ivan Steifel has won the Brower Youth award for his work with us on MTR and Marsh Fork Elementary School
Coal River Wind on CNN October, 7 2008
The Coal River Wind Farm was covered by CNN with a video and all.
Alternative Energy Clock Co2 Emissions October, 2 2008
This Alternative Energy Clock is a way to look at global oil barrel consumption and Co2 emissions since you have been on our web site and also year to date.
Alternative Energy Clock Oil Consumption October, 2 2008
This Alternative Energy Clock is a way to look at global oil barrel consumption and Co2 emissions since you have been on our web site and also year to date.
Green Jobs Now! September, 18 2008
The Rally for Green jobs and Healthy Mountains had over 150 people from the Coal River Valley and all over the state.
Rally for Green Jobs and Healthy Mountains!! September, 15 2008
Invite to the Rally for Green Jobs and Healthy Mountains
Why isn't Gov. Manchin backing The Coal River Mountain Wind Farm? August, 30 2008
a letter to the editor asking why Gov. Manchin has not publicly supported the Coal River Mountain Wind Farm
Senator John D. Rockefeller will not support The Clean Water Protection Act because of MTR. August, 13 2008
Judy Bonds' Letter Correspondence with Senator John D. Rockefeller asking him to support HR 2169 : The Clan Water Protection Act.
DEP to accept fine payment in Rocks July, 17 2008
In a recent settlement with the DEP for discharging toxic levels of selenium into the Mud River, Magnum coal is required to pay their fine with 32,000 rocks.
Do not fear the wind! July, 16 2008
Currently, community members and local organizations are proposing a wind farm on Coal River Mountain in Raleigh County. This idea of using wind for power is just as great now as it was then. It would help to diversify our economy, make our energy costs cheaper and preserve our homeland for many future uses. It would provide safe, good-paying, local jobs for the people in surrounding communities. It would also be an infinite resource of energy.
Jeff Biggers on Coal River Wind July, 9 2008
Author Jeff Biggers published an article in the Huffington Post about the Coal River Wind Farm and the future of Energy Production.
More destruction is no solution June, 23 2008
We’re definitely in energy and climate crisis. Only fools would think that we could drill or blast our way out of this crisis. If we continue to do the same destructive things and use the same dirty fuels that we have over the past 100 years then we and our children lose.
Wind energy a solution, not environmental issue June, 19 2008
A recent letter to the editor by CRMW's Co-Director Janice Nease responding to concerns about wind power.
WV Democratic Party takes on MTR June, 16 2008
Two months after the West Virginia Young Democrats passed the "Healthy Jobs, Healthy Communities, Healthy Mountains" resolution, calling for an end to mountaintop removal coal mining, the State Democratic Party voted on the same resolution.
Water is more important than coal June, 16 2008
Judy Bonds' recent Letter to the Editor in the Herald Dispatch setting the record straight that there is no such thing a clean coal.
Coal River Wind Farm in the News June, 4 2008
The Coal River Wind Farm was in the news after the idea was proposed to the Raleigh County Commission.
30 Days segment on MTR May, 30 2008
Morgan Spurlock brought his show, 30 Days, to West Virginia to do a show on Coal Mining. He spent 30 days underground mining, but didn't leave before seeing Mountaintop Removal with Bo Webb, Chuck Nelson, and Larry Gibson
The Boone Standard: DEP hearing concerning a exspansion permit near Twilight, Bandytown, Marnie, and Lindytown May, 27 2008
The Department of Environmental Protection called what they deemed an informal meeting at the Van Community Center to hear public comment on a proposal by Independence Coal. The Massey subsidiary is seeking an 11.79-acre permit to extend an existing surface mine between Route 26 and Route 3 in the Twilight, Bandytown, Marnie, and Lindytown areas. The proposed permit extension is thought to include at least four valley fills.
No Such Thing May, 23 2008
An Op-Ed by Judy Bonds that ran in the Coal Valley News. From mountaintop removal to coal fired power plants and ash disposal, coal is anything but clean.
State of Kentucky Funding Coal Propaganda May, 15 2008
The State of Kentucky is giving $400,000 a year to the Coal Industry to create pro-coal propaganda. What's worse is the propaganda is targeted at kids!
New Report on Concentrated Solar Power May, 13 2008
A sure way to get rid of mountaintop removal is by making it unnecessary. A new report by Environment America says that Concentrated Solar Power could help do just that.
There's (Still) No Such Thing as Clean Coal May, 11 2008
GreenPeace just released a report of Carbon Capture and Storage and found that surprisingly, it's not a good idea.
Tell Dominion No New Coal in Southwester Virginia May, 7 2008
Sign the petition to tell Dominion that Southwestern VA doesn't need another dirty coal fired power plant.
Blasting: A siege on my family home May, 3 2008
I just heard another blast. They are happening more and more lately... getting louder each time. Part of me maimed when I hear that sound. I sit and hear them edge closer and closer to my family home. It's a strange thing to one day waken to the truth of being an affected and endangered person. Out of nowhere *BOOM*... like a mine field. Living in the wake of so-called "progress"....
There's something in the Water April, 25 2008
A video of a man changing the water filter from his well in Prenter, WV.
Judy Bonds in People Magazine April, 22 2008
Judy Bonds in People Magazine
'MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL' film by Michael O'Connell wins the REEL CURRENT AWARD! April, 22 2008
Al Gore presented the Reel Current Award, at the Nashville Film Festival, to Michael O'Connell for his film MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL. The film documents the process and issues surrounding mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia.
CRMW's Editorial on Mountaintop Removal in The Register Herald 4-19-08 April, 21 2008
CRMW's Op-Ed in Register Herald 4-19-2008
Appalachian Portrait Project April, 9 2008
Artist Francesco Di Santis has been in Appalachia for the past month drawing portraits and collecting stories from the people fighting for Mountain Justice. Here's a few.
Another Legal Victory for Tough Coal Boss/WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT SCANDAL April, 7 2008
Questions Have Emerged About Blankenship's Relationships With State Supreme Court Justices Hearing Multi-Million-Dollar Appeals by His Company
Blessing of the Mountain disrupted by the Friends of Coal April, 7 2008
Blessing of the Mountain disrupted by the "Friends of Coal"
Blankenship gets into tussle with ABC news reporter April, 3 2008
Don Blankenship scraps with ABC reporter.
Holy Mountain Justice Spring Break, Batman! April, 2 2008
A writeup of Mountain Justice Spring Break by Dana Kuhnline of the Student Environmental Action Coalition.
Conversations from MySapce: WVU study: Coal counties have higher disease rates March, 27 2008
a conversation from a WVU related group
Is Carbon Capture a False Hope for Coal? March, 26 2008
Even if the technology is made to work, it may not be cost-efficient in the long run
Our Suicide Mission with Coal March, 26 2008
Coal produces more carbon emissions than other energy sources, yet we burn more of it each year.
Run your car on coal? Maybe not March, 26 2008
As the price of oil rises, coal company executives smell a huge opportunity: they are planning to ramp up a new global industry to turn coal into liquid fuels (diesel, kerosene and jet fuel), plus basic feedstocks for the chemical industry to make plastics, fertilizers, solvents, pesticides, and more.
Letters to the Editor of the Register Herald opposed to Dawn Dayton's "Mountaintop Mining" article March, 25 2008
Responses in opposition to Dawn Dayton's "Mountaintop Mining" article.
WVU study: Coal counties have higher disease rates March, 25 2008
West Virginians who live in the state's coal counties are more likely to have heart attacks, lung disease and diabetes, according to a new West Virginia University study.
Prenter's Water March, 18 2008
A short video of the effect of coal slurry injection on the ground water in parts of Southern WV.
Sierra Club and the United Steel Workers together at last March, 18 2008
The Sierra Club and United Steelworkers have come together to form the Blue Green Alliance and put on the Good Jobs Green Jobs conference in Pittsburgh, PA
Mountain Justice Spring Break Virginia! March, 17 2008
This is Danny from SEAC's account of his experience at Mountain Justice Spring Break in Southwest Virginia and a short audio segment he made of the action at the Department of Environmental Quality.
Massey Gets $20 Million Fine February, 4 2008
The EPA settled a lawsuit with Massey Energy for $20 Million, which sounds real good until you realize that's 1% of the amount they were fined.
Coal companies trample opposition January, 29 2008
Letter to the editor written by Lorelei Scarbro of Rock Creek, WV published in the Herald Dispatch about life in Southern WV.
If coal is so good, why is W.Va. still poor? January, 25 2008
In this Letter to the Editor, Sylvia Bradford wonders why WV is so poor even though coal has been "Helping" the economy for the past century.
WV Supreme Court Justice Vacations with Coal Baron January, 15 2008
Photos of Don Blankenship and Supreme Court Justice Elliot "Spike" Maynard recently surfaced. Judge Maynard recently ruled that Blankenship's Massey Energy did not have to pay Harman mining the $76 million that the Jury said they did.
Dear Friends of Coal January, 14 2008
A letter to the Editor from Bo Webb about how ridiculous the Friends of Coal Association is.
Rise Up! West Virginia January, 2 2008
The Premier of the latest Patchwork Films' movie, Rise Up! West Virginia, will be January 12 in South Charleston.
Nov. 16-17 Day of Action on Citi and Bank of America November, 20 2007
On Nov 16 and 17 over 100 actions took place telling Bank of America and Citi to stop funding coal and start funding renewable energy.
Power Shift 2007 and Citi November, 8 2007
A review of Power Shift 2007 and the action that shut down a Citi Bank branch in Washington DC from Dana Kuhnline.
Hearings, Hearings, Hearings October, 28 2007
A Review of the OSM's Stream Buffer Zone Rule Change hearing and The Public Energy Authority's hearing on the future of Fossil Fuels in West Virginia.
RAN Banner Drop Targets Bank of America October, 27 2007
Rainforest Action Network Dropped a Banner in Charlotte, NC Targeting Bank of America's funding of coal mining and burning.
Student Summit 2007 Write-up October, 23 2007
Write up of the Student Summit by Adam Stephenson.
Ed on the Today Show October, 10 2007
Ed Wiley Gets on the Today show!
Fall 2007 CRV Student / Youth Summit September, 28 2007
Call out for the Fall 2007 CRV Student / Youth summit on October 19-21st!
POWERVEG September, 21 2007
Announcement for Power VEG 2007 in Glenville, WV.
The Ever Colorful Coal River September, 13 2007
The Coal River Valley finally got some rain. Two days of it, and with it a variety of shades of water.
Temperatures rise at the Friends of Coal Bowl September, 11 2007
Last year, the naming rights to the WVU - Marshall football game were sold to the WV Coal Association for 7 years at a price of more than $1 million. Needless to say, we protested this event.
Stream Buffer Zone Comments and Call-in Day September, 8 2007
September 20 is a call in day to the OSM to tell them not to accept the proposed rule change which will ease the restrictions on stream pollution.
This is a call for musicians!!!!!!!!! September, 7 2007
A new cd from the creators of Moving Mountains is in the works and they are looking for musicians.
4:20 Poetry by Jimbo September, 5 2007
The first of hopefully many poems by Coal River resident Jimbo
Ed Wiley takes it to New York City August, 30 2007
Grandfather Ed Wiley heads to New York City to tell the crowds and cameras at the Today Show in Rockefeller Plaza all about Marsh Fork Elementary.
Manchin, MSHA didn't help injured miner August, 30 2007
A letter to the editor about changes in WV Workers Compensation changes. Now injured workers get screwed by coal and politicians.
Day of Action Against Bank of America August, 22 2007
August 31st will be a Day of Action against Bank of America, demanding they drop their billions of dollars in loans to the coal industry and invest in renewables.
Larry Gibson: Hero August, 21 2007
Larry Gibson is being featured a CNN Hero
SMCRA Hearing August, 1 2007
Sarah\'s blog entry about attending the recent 30th anniversary SMCRA hearing in Washington D.C.
God made mountains and greed made mountaintop removal. July, 26 2007
Who pays the real price of Mountaintop Removal coal mining?
RFK, Jr. blasts coal industry-government corruption July, 18 2007
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visits the Coal River Valley to speak to community members and film for his documentary about a corrupt government's crimes against the environment and people.
Hope for Cecil Roberts' help vanished in 3 years June, 20 2007
Editorial by Larry Gibson Published in the Charleston Gazette and the Coal Valley News.