“Appalachia Rising” march this weekend in Washington, D.C. – Sept. 25,26, and 27th
APPALACHIA RISING Join us on September 25-27 in Washington, DC for Appalachia Rising!, a national response to the unmitigated destruction of Appalachia’s mountains, air and water through mountaintop removal coal mining. Appalachia Rising! will follow a long history of action for a just and prosperous Appalachia. Converging in our nation’s capital, Appalachians, grassroots groups, individuals, … Read more
Massey Energy warns: ‘Increasingly stringent enforcement’ by MSHA is hurting productivity
Sept. 16th by Ken Ward, Jr. Earlier this evening, as families of the 29 miners killed in the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster were preparing to hear an update on the government investigation of that tragedy, Massey Energy issued what it called a “Guidance Update” on the company’s finances. In the company’s update, in the … Read more
New York Times: ‘Miners die, Congress Dawdles’
Sunday’s New York Times blasted Congress for its inaction since the Upper Big Branch Disaster in April on coal-mine safety reform legislation: Despite the Senate Republicans’ campaign agenda of nay-saying and filibuster, you would think taxpayers have a right to expect passage of a life-and-death measure to protect the nation’s coal miners. And yet decisive … Read more
‘I know too much’ … UBB widow says husband had concerns about mine safety
By Ken Ward Jr. The Charleston Gazette By Gary A. Harki CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Bobbie Elswick wasn’t surprised when she learned that her husband had phoned out a safety report from deep inside Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch Mine, warning of a buildup of coal dust along the mine’s conveyor belt tunnels. Michael Elswick told … Read more
Massey managers file suit to block subpoenas
September 22, 2010 by Ken Ward Jr. Six Massey Energy managers, including the company’s corporate safety chief, have filed suit in Raleigh County, W.Va., to block subpoenas that would force them to appear for questioning related to the April 5 Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster. The employees who filed the case included Massey’s vice president … Read more
