News & Updates
news
The Latest
-
August 2026 News – Black lung rates climb Also: miner legal victory, disaster recovery reform, & water advocacy
Black Lung reaches nearly 50-year high NIOSH findings show why the silica rule can’t wait A new NIOSH study shows that black lung has reached its highest recorded rates in Central Appalachia in nearly 50 years, with nearly one in three long-tenured underground miners showing evidence of the disease. Silica dust is a major driver…
-
Filling the Gaps: Assessing MSHA’s Silica Dust Sampling
Since 2009, coal miners and their allies have pushed the federal government to implement a silica dust standard to prevent exposure to the silica dust implicated in the causation of severe forms of coal worker pneumoconiosis, or black lung disease. In April 2024, a silica dust rule was finally issued, with the coal industry given…
-
Black Lung Bulletin Vol. 4 Issue 1
Below is our most recent issue of the Black Lung Bulletin, a collaborative publication that incorporates stories and updates from miners and families affected by black lung and experts in the field. The publication is circulated to hundreds of households across the region.
-
House members introduce bill to increase black lung disability compensation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, three U.S. representatives introduced the Support Our Miners Act, a bill that will increase the black lung disability payment that miners and their families receive. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., sponsored the bill with co-sponsors Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky. The Support Our Miners…
-
Major Disaster Relief for Appalachia Passes Congress as Part of Housing Bill
21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes Three-Year Authorization of Flexible Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds UPDATE: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act was signed into law on July 11, 2026. APPALACHIA — A priority of the Appalachian Flood Resilience Coalition (AFRC) passed the U.S. House [358-32] as part of the 21st…
-
June 2026 Newsletter -Water Shutoffs in Kentucky
New report finds punitive water shutoff policies When a household budget is stretched thin, the loss of a basic utility can quickly turn financial strain into a crisis. A water disconnection means losing the ability to cook, bathe, wash clothes, care for children, or remain safe at home. Last month, ACLC released When the Tap Runs…
-
Community advocates celebrate legislation to ensure coal mine cleanup
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2026 COAL COUNTRY — Advocates from across coal communities celebrated the introduction of three bills today to address the root causes of the “zombie mine” crisis — the increasing number of non-producing, unreclaimed modern-era coal mines. Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Penn., and Summer Lee, D-Penn., have introduced two bills that take…
-
Filling the Gaps: Assessing MSHA’s Silica Dust Sampling
Since 2009, coal miners and their allies have pushed the federal government to implement a silica dust standard to prevent exposure to the silica dust implicated in the causation of severe forms of coal worker pneumoconiosis, or black lung disease. In April 2024, a silica dust rule was finally issued, with the coal industry given…
-
Legislative session wrap-up on energy focused legislation
During the 2026 legislative session, there was more conversation and focus than usual on utility affordability, especially energy affordability. Unfortunately, little was actually accomplished to address this pressing issue. The four bills directly related to energy that passed this spring will do the following: In summary, one of the four bills that passed, SB 172,…
