These two issues are important steps toward revitalizing communities hit hardest by the coal industry’s downturn, and major priorities for areas that have historically depended on the coal industry for economic stability, to rebuild themselves by creating new, diverse economies on their own terms. We are so grateful to local governments for urging action from Congress during this public health crisis, as well as to the grassroots citizens who worked to bring this issue to the attention of their local government.
It is past time Congress pay attention to the local communities they are supposed to represent. These resolutions are a powerful statement on the importance of this issue and must not be ignored. These resolutions join many other efforts throughout 2018, including multiple trips by retired miners to D.C. to meet with Congressional offices, the delivery of hundreds of individual postcards and petitions. In addition, nearly 50 national and regional organizations, including black lung groups, unions, and environmental organizations, released a letter urging Congress to act on these issues.
Below you will find a list of local government bodies which have passed resolutions. Where available online , a copy of the resolution is linked. If you desire a copy of a resolution that is not linked below, contact us, and we can help you track that down.
Virginia
Big Stone Gap
Dungannon
Haysi
Pennington Gap
Dickenson County Board of Supervisors
St Paul
Pennsylvania
Armstrong County
Schuylkill Headwaters
Kentucky
Floyd County
Pike County
Knox County
Johnson County
Tennessee
Older Resolutions:
Throughout 2015 and 2016, twenty-eight (28) local governments and organizations across four Appalachian states passed resolutions calling on Congress to pass the RECLAIM Act, Miners Protection Act, and POWER Initiative. The ideas behind these three legislative initiatives were included in the 2015 White House proposed "POWER+ Plan," for which these local governments explicitly demonstrate their support. All resolutions were passed without opposition. View the resolutions below.
Kentucky
City of Whitesburg
City of Evarts
City of Vicco
City of Benham
City of Hindman
Benham Power Board
Appalachian Renaissance Initiative Student Senate
Pike County
Bell County
Harlan County
Letcher County
Floyd County
Perry County
Knott County
Tennessee
Campbell County
Virginia
City of Norton
Town of Wise
Town of Appalachia
Town of Dungannon
Town of Cleveland
Wise County
Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission (representing Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell Counties)
West Virginia
Fayette County
Lincoln County
Wyoming County
Kanawha County
Raleigh County
City of Morgantown