She Won't Back Down: Ashley Judd Defies Critics, Continues to Blast Mountaintop Removal

by rperks

Today in The Hill, a quintessential inside-the-Beltway political newspaper, Ashley Judd scores a scathing commentary on one of the causes she cares most about: the campaign to abolish mountaintop removalcoal mining in Appalachia. 

"I am proud to stand with Eastern Kentuckians everywhere, building a positive future for our region," she writes.  "There’s so much potential today, right now, for Eastern Kentucky to proudly and bravely lead the way to a new energy economy in this country, with more jobs and overdue justice for the people of Appalachia.  It is time for a community abused and exploited by outsiders who have never had our best interests at heart to rise and lead the U.S. into a renewable energy future."

continued at Daily Kos....

Let's Coal the Whole Thing Off: Dirty Industry Receiving Billions in Taxpayer Support

by J e d

How was your weekend, America?  Any hot dates?  You're still involved with Big Coal?!  Unbelievable.  (Sigh) You do love when that industry talks clean to you, don't you?  All those sweet little lies...

continued at Daily Kos....

Ashley Judd Fights Back After Big Coal Attack

by rperks

Ashley Judd won't back down.  Last week proponents of mountaintop removalhung a banner at a coal industry-sponsored golf tournament in eastern Kentucky, mocking the actress for her efforts to raise awareness of the environmental, economic and cultural damage being wrought by the world's worst coal mining.  If they thought this would back her down, they're as clueless as they are classless. 

continued at Daily Kos....

Mountaintop Prison a Bust

by rperks

NRDC recently released a report -- Reclamation FAIL -- that debunked the coal industry's propaganda that mountaintop removal mining is beneficial because (1) Appalachia needs more flat land and (2) flattened mine sites are routinely converted for economic development.  Such claims are nothing more than a big, flat lie.

continued at Daily Kos....

EPA Inexplicably Greenlights WV Mountaintop Removal Permit

by rperks

Maybe the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should change its acronym from EPA to WTF.

How else to explain the perplexing and downright disgusting decision last week by the agnecy to recommend approval by the Corps of Engineers of a permit sought by Coal-Mac (subsidiary of Arch Coal) for the Pine Creek Surface Minein Logan County, West Virginia.  So much for EPA's supposedly hard-line water protection standards issued in April which promised tougher oversight of mountaintop removal. 

continued at Daily Kos....

FARCES of Coal: Apple Juice Creeks and Gatorade Streams

by J e d

Remember FACES of Coal? The less than bona fide astroturfing organization whose members keep turning up on iStockphoto.com?

Well, the antics continue as they're none too pleased with the EPA these days.  It seems the EPA has got it in for Apple Juice creeks and Gatorade streams.  Typical right?!  Far as we know, Lisa Jackson and Obama don't yet mind Willa Wonka's chocolate river, but we'll keep you posted.

More Below!

continued at Daily Kos....

Music Saves Mountains: Concert recap, photos and more!

by rperks

Was it all a dream?  That's what I keep wondering about NRDC's Music Saves Mountains benefit councert last week, the biggest gathering of singers and songwriters to raise awareness of -- and to fight against -- mountaintop removal coal mining.  Fortunately, I returned from Nashville with a souvenir Hatch show print that proves it actually took place -- not to mention the jaw-dropping press coverage detailing this special event.

continued at Daily Kos....