Tony, M. (2023, January 25). Justice coal company reaches agreement with environmental groups to reclaim Virginia mine sites. Logan Banner. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.loganbanner.com/news/justice-coal-company-reaches-agreement-with-environmental-groups-to-reclaim-virginia-mine-sites/article_1721b3fd-aa2d-5ad8-be35-6853118db736.html
A&G Coal Corporation has reached an agreement with environmental groups to reclaim three Virginia mine sites that it has neglected for nearly a decade. This includes 1,311 acres of land it still must reclaim or revegetate. A&G is one of Governor Jim Justice’s family coal companies. In order to fulfill its commitment, A&G will set up an escrow account, where it will deposit a third of its monthly revenue, $100,000. This decision was made after environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices filed an intent to sue the company.
It is sad to know that companies are violating their clean-up agreements and that they need to be threatened with legal action in order to restore the land they used for business. It is also disappointing that A&G belongs to s the family of the Virginia governor. This shows that oftentimes politicians have a vested interest in keeping coal alive. The people ultimately harmed by a lack of environmental restoration are local inhabitants, who suffer from air pollution and poor drinking water at sites that are not cleaned. This article relates to environmental science because it describes human’s environmental degradation and failure to take accountability.
I agree with you it is sad that they need to be threatened, but I am happy to hear that improvements will be occurring. Thank you so much for sharing these opinions. Ultimately just have to think about the benefits in this case and not the fact that it took threatning.
I agree, it is good to look on the bright side and celebrate victories like these. The court victories shows a successful system of checks and balances to regulate companies.
I agree that it is unfortunate that the mine is owned by the family of the governor and needs to be threatened in order to comply with environmental regulations. I wonder how many representatives in state and federal legislatures have such direct ties to coal and other fossil fuels? Additionally, it is true that the people who ultimately suffer the most are just ordinary citizens.
Agreed! Another thing to consider is lobbying and constituents. Even if politicians don’t have family ties to coal corporations, their constituents may rely on coal. Corporations also lobby the government for benefits.