• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
appalachian citizens law center logo

Appalachian Citizens' Law Center

We Fight for Justice in the Coalfields

  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Staff & Board
    • Internships & Fellowships
    • Job Openings
    • Contact
    • Financials
  • What We Do
    • Environmental Justice
    • Miners’ Health & Safety
    • Policy & Research
    • Advocacy
  • Get Help
    • Federal Black Lung Benefits
    • Black Lung Associations
    • Environmental Problems
    • Mine Safety Discrimination
  • Take Action
  • News
  • DONATE TO FLOOD RECOVERY

ACLC Quoted in Bloomberg Report About States Eliminating Coal Mine Inspections

May 5, 2017 Just Transition, Mine Safety

Bloomberg BNA published a special report about the disturbing trend of coal mining states scaling back their mine inspection programs.  ACLC weighed in on Kentucky’s drastic reduction in the number of underground coal mine inspections:
Mine owners cannot receive citations and associated financial penalties during these visits, reducing the costs associated with noncompliance. And the potential reductions in required site inspections worry people such as Wes Addington, a lawyer at the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center. Addington and others, including state regulators, said interest in enacting or tightening state inspection laws unfortunately only become a priority in the aftermath of a mining disaster. Several pointed to legislative actions taken in Ohio and elsewhere following a mining disaster in Sago, W. Va., in 2006 that killed 12 miners.
“Sadly, the legislature and Gov. Bevin are ignoring the history of coal mine deaths and disasters in this state. Slashing the number of mine inspections will lead to fatalities and catastrophic injuries,” Addington wrote in an email to Bloomberg BNA. “Mining families deserve better.”
Special Report: Should Coal Country Roll Back State Laws and Rely on Feds?

Footer

Appalachian Citizens' Law Center

317 Main St, Whitesburg, KY 41858

(877) 637-3929 Toll Free

(606) 633-3929

© Addison Williams Hero Image

  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Staff & Board
    • Internships & Fellowships
    • Job Openings
    • Contact
    • Financials
  • What We Do
    • Environmental Justice
    • Miners’ Health & Safety
    • Policy & Research
    • Advocacy
  • Get Help
    • Federal Black Lung Benefits
    • Black Lung Associations
    • Environmental Problems
    • Mine Safety Discrimination
  • Take Action
  • News
  • DONATE TO FLOOD RECOVERY

Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 Appalachian Citizens' Law Center