Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 6.10 Environment
Session Abstract or Summary
Five years ago, the Obama Administration made a promise to take measures to protect the people, waters, and mountains of Appalachia from the dangerous impacts of mountaintop removal mining and other coal industry abuses.
The tragic and unbelievable series of water spills in 2014 - from the 300,000 people impacted by the spill in West Virginia to coal ash and coal slurry spills in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina - are just the most recent disasters to show the failures of the Obama Administration to follow through on its promises to protect Appalachian communities.
While we have successfully pressured this Administration to take large strides in the last five years--like the thorough review of 86 permit applications that require individualized scrutiny under the Clean Water Act and the elimination of an Army Corp permitting practice that rubber-stamped permit approvals--there is much more to be done.
In fact, there are four key actions the Administration can take this year that will greatly impact the future health of our Appalachian communities and allow the Administration to follow through on its promises.
The Alliance for Appalachia—a coalition of 15 citizens groups and allied organizations throughout Central Appalachia—has launched the Our Water, Our Future campaign across for states to ensure that the Administration takes measures to protect the people, waters, and mountains of Appalachia.
Join these panelists for an account of the campaign thus far and to hear about what’s next!
Presentation #1 Title
Our Water, Our Future
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Five years ago, the Obama Administration made a promise to take measures to protect the people, waters, and mountains of Appalachia from the dangerous impacts of mountaintop removal mining and other coal industry abuses. The tragic and unbelievable series of water spills in 2014 - from the 300,000 people impacted by the spill in West Virginia to coal ash and coal slurry spills in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina - are just the most recent disasters to show the failures of the Obama Administration to follow through on its promises to protect Appalachian communities. While we have successfully pressured this Administration to take large strides in the last five years--like the thorough review of 86 permit applications that require individualized scrutiny under the Clean Water Act and the elimination of an Army Corp permitting practice that rubber-stamped permit approvals--there is much more to be done. In fact, there are four key actions the Administration can take this year that will greatly impact the future health of our Appalachian communities and allow the Administration to follow through on its promises. The Alliance for Appalachia—a coalition of 15 citizens groups and allied organizations throughout Central Appalachia—has launched the Our Water, Our Future campaign across for states to ensure that the Administration takes measures to protect the people, waters, and mountains of Appalachia. Join these panelists for an account of the campaign thus far and to hear about what’s next!
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Katey Lauer is the Coordinator of The Alliance for Appalachia and facilitates the Our Water, Our Future Campaign.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Patrick Morales is the board chair of Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Alice Howell is the president of the Cumberland Chapter of the Sierra Club.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Jane Branham is long time volunteer and community leader with Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards.
Our Water, Our Future
Five years ago, the Obama Administration made a promise to take measures to protect the people, waters, and mountains of Appalachia from the dangerous impacts of mountaintop removal mining and other coal industry abuses. The tragic and unbelievable series of water spills in 2014 - from the 300,000 people impacted by the spill in West Virginia to coal ash and coal slurry spills in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina - are just the most recent disasters to show the failures of the Obama Administration to follow through on its promises to protect Appalachian communities. While we have successfully pressured this Administration to take large strides in the last five years--like the thorough review of 86 permit applications that require individualized scrutiny under the Clean Water Act and the elimination of an Army Corp permitting practice that rubber-stamped permit approvals--there is much more to be done. In fact, there are four key actions the Administration can take this year that will greatly impact the future health of our Appalachian communities and allow the Administration to follow through on its promises. The Alliance for Appalachia—a coalition of 15 citizens groups and allied organizations throughout Central Appalachia—has launched the Our Water, Our Future campaign across for states to ensure that the Administration takes measures to protect the people, waters, and mountains of Appalachia. Join these panelists for an account of the campaign thus far and to hear about what’s next!
