News & Updates
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The Latest
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New report finds punitive water shutoff policies in Kentucky
When the tap runs dry in Kentucky 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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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Silica Dust Rule Delayed Again
Across Appalachia, we see people deeply committed to the mountains and their communities. That commitment endures despite a long history of under-investment and marginalization. At the same time, the systems meant to support health and well-being are becoming harder to access and increasingly unresponsive to people’s needs. Federal Silica Dust Rule Delayed Again A long-awaited…
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Trump Administration Uses Ridiculous Excuse to Indefinitely Delay Black Lung Safeguards
For Immediate Release: April 9, 2026 COAL COUNTRY – As the Trump Administration continues to tout that it is bringing back the coal industry, the safeguards that could prevent deadly silica dust exposure among coal miners have been sidelined by the Administration’s own actions with no resolution in sight. Just this week, E&E Greenwire reported…
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Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center’s statement on the President’s proposed FY27 budget
Today, the administration released a budget proposal for FY27 that will hurt Central Appalachian families. The budget completely eliminates funding for the Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), slashes funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) by forty percent, and reduces funding for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by nearly ten percent. Even…
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Appalachian Advocates Release New Report Sharing Policy Lessons Learned from Helene
PRESS RELEASE: March 19, 2026 READ THE REPORT Watch the Press Conference APPALACHIA — Today, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center released a new report outlining how lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene can help communities and governments be ready for the next major storm. Crafted based on analysis from interviews and extensive listening sessions…
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Coalitions of Appalachian Leaders & Advocates Urge Congress to Back Investments in Economic Development, Flood Recovery, Miner Health & Mine Reclamation
READ THE LETTER HERE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2027 Contact:Trey Pollard – trey@pollardcommunications.com – 202-904-9187 APPALACHIA — As Appalachian communities work to find a path forward amid massive federal cuts and dangerous policy rollbacks, dozens of local and regional organizations formally called on congressional appropriators to recommit to stabilizing, job-creating investments in the region.…
