Alpha Natural Resources has received approval from federal regulators to expand the Brushy Fork coal slurry impound, one of the biggest coal slurry impoundments in the nation, to a height taller than the Hoover Dam. The impoundment is located near Whitesville, West Virginia, and will increase its holdings of coal waste from 6.5 billion gallons to 8.5 billion gallons.
Read MoreStover was indicted in February on charges that he lied to the FBI about instructing guards at the UBB to warn miners whenever federal inspectors from the Mine Safety and Health Administration made a visit. According to prosecutors, he also ordered the disposal of thousands of pages of documents related to the security at the mine.
Read MoreFilmmaker Michael Fountain produced this documentary, Bonecrusher, from the perspective of the men who work these mines in order to fuel America’s thirst for energy.
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