ICN Alabama - Inside Climate News

In the First Community Meeting Since a Fatal Home Explosion, Residents Grill Alabama Regulators, Politicians Over Coal Mining Destruction

By Lee Hedgepeth — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 21:33:54 +0000

Dozens of residents expressed fear and frustration over what they call “mining mayhem.” The regulators and politicians acknowledged for the first time that there may be a need for changes.

By Lee Hedgepeth

Undermined: Eighth in a series about the impacts of longwall mining in Alabama.

Coal Baron a No-Show in Alabama Courtroom as Abandoned Plant Continues to Pollute Neighborhoods

By Dennis Pillion — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 09:05:00 +0000

The son of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice was hailed as a hero five years ago when his family’s company purchased a troubled coke plant in North Birmingham that had polluted three historically Black neighborhoods. Now, a judge says the Justices’ Bluestone Coke is on a “superhighway to contempt.”

By Dennis Pillion

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— Chief U.S. District Judge David Proctor is fed up.

In Alabama Meeting, TVA Votes to Increase the Cost of Power, Double Down on Natural Gas

By Lee Hedgepeth — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 23:26:18 +0000

The 5.25 percent base price hike will fund ongoing construction and energy development, including fossil fuel infrastructure, according to TVA officials. Consumers and advocates are skeptical.

By Lee Hedgepeth

FLORENCE, Ala.—At Thursday’s meeting of the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority, members got a friendly reminder from among their ranks.

Alabama Coal Regulators Said They Didn’t Know Who’d Purchased a Mine Linked to a Fatal Home Explosion. It’s a Familiar Face

By Lee Hedgepeth — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 22:56:05 +0000

Ryan M. Murray, a son of a late coal magnate and Trump ally, is now operating the mine, according to the executive. For residents, the new management raises old issues.

By Lee Hedgepeth

OAK GROVE, Ala.—New ownership at an Alabama mine accused of causing a fatal home explosion earlier this year is raising old concerns for residents in rural Jefferson County, less than an hour’s drive outside Birmingham.

In Alabama’s Bald Eagle Territory, Residents Say an Unexpected Mining Operation Emerged as Independence Day Unfolded

By Lee Hedgepeth — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:05:00 +0000

Aside Lake Guntersville, bald eagles are royalty. But locals say a planned chert pit is already changing that status.

By Lee Hedgepeth

LANGSTON, Ala.—In a state-owned lodge atop Taylor Mountain in Lake Guntersville State Park, the walls are covered with paintings of bald eagles. Busts of the national bird carved in stone adorn end tables in the wood-paneled lobby.

Sen. Britt of Alabama Confronted on Her Ties to ‘Big Oil’

By Lee Hedgepeth — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 22:46:14 +0000

A Sunrise movement activist approached the senator in the halls of Congress and asked about her campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry. Britt later thanked the activist for helping promote her bedrock belief in “energy dominance.”

By Lee Hedgepeth

Amalia Hochman isn’t from Alabama, but she’s willing to fight for it anyway.

As a Longwall Coal Mine Grows Beneath an Alabama Town, Neighbors of an Explosion Victim Feel Undermined and Unheard

By Lee Hedgepeth — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:05:00 +0000

No one seems willing to answer citizens’ questions, they say, and public officials don’t seem to care. Will state or federal regulators move to shut down the mine?

By Lee Hedgepeth

OAK GROVE, Ala.—Lily Spicer felt the energy of the explosion surge through her body.

Alabama Family to Add Wrongful Death Claim Against Mine Operator in Lawsuit Over Home Explosion

By Lee Hedgepeth — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 19:55:23 +0000

In a court hearing, lawyers for the Griffice family said their investigation into the March explosion is continuing despite a lack of engagement from state or federal regulators.

By Lee Hedgepeth

BESSEMER, Ala.—A judge on Monday agreed to delay proceedings in a case against operators of a local mine while experts continue to investigate the cause of a home explosion that left a grandfather dead and his grandson seriously injured.

Where the Water Doesn’t Flow: Thousands Across Alabama Live Without Access to Public Water

By Lee Hedgepeth — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:05:00 +0000

In rural Marion County, some residents do the only thing they can think to do: call their legislator and cry.

By Lee Hedgepeth

MARION COUNTY, Ala.— As often as they can, Michael and Mindy McClung get outside and walk along the quiet roads of their neighborhood. Both educators—Michael at a community college and Mindy at a high school—they talk as they walk. As he often does, Michael soon circles back to Cormac McCarthy, his favorite author. Mindy smiles.

Living and Dying in the Shadow of Chemical Plants

By Lanier Isom, Al Jazeera — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

An Alabama community has watched generations of residents suffer from debilitating diseases. Could chemical exposure be to blame?

By Lanier Isom, Al Jazeera

This story was originally published by Al Jazeera.