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KY utility gets Trump administration funding for smog controls at coal-fired power plant
by Liam Niemeyer Kentucky Lantern February 12, 2026 Kentucky’s largest electric utility will share in $175 million the Trump administration unveiled to modernize and extend the life of coal-fired power plants in six states. Louisville Gas & and Electric and Kentucky Utilities will use the money to upgrade smog controls at its 53-year-old Ghent Generating
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Louisa man pleads guilty in cover-up of coal mine fire
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT A Louisa man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover up an underground coal mine fire in Illinois and defrauding federal mine safety regulators. Timothy Brandon Parsons, 38, entered his plea Aug. 29 in federal court to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The charge stems from
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Hoping for a ‘black gold’ revival
Coal could be making a comeback. Of course, this will greatly help the job market and economy of states like Kentucky and West Virginia, especially in our region. Southwestern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky have long been known for producing high-quality, low-sulfur coal. On Tuesday, April 8, at 3 p.m., President Donald Trump signed an
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New federal rule aims to prevent coal operators from shifting black lung liabilities to taxpayers
by Caity Coyne, Kentucky LanternDecember 30, 2024 A new final rule was issued by the federal Department of Labor earlier this month that will require coal operators who self-insure to post adequate security bonds that cover all of their black lung benefit liabilities. The rule comes as a protection for coal miners who currently or could
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Barefoot Festival to debut in Lovely
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — Get ready for the Barefoot Festival to debut in Martin County on Nov. 1 and 2, bringing music, community and culture together on a reclaimed strip mine on North Wolf Creek Road in Lovely. The two-day event promises to be like nothing you have experienced. With live performances
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Local coal miner killed in Friday night accident
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT LOGAN, W.Va. — A Pike County coal miner died Friday evening while working at a mine in Logan County, West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice announced. Gary Chapman, 33, of South Williamson, Kentucky, died from injuries sustained at the Mountaineer II Mine near Sharples, according to the governor’s statement. “When we lose a
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Kentucky coal counties receive mining fee refunds
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT FRANKFORT — Fiscal courts in 29 Kentucky counties, including Martin, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence and Pike, are set to receive a collective refund of $119,625 from mining permit and acreage fees, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Aug. 7. The refunds, calculated as a percentage of fees paid by surface coal mining companies within each
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Deaths of two Kentucky workers demolishing coal-prep plant bring $31,500 fine for safety violations
BY LIAM NIEMEYER kentuckylantern.com On a cool evening in late October, David Peyton heard a pop then a warning scream to get out. Within seconds two men were trapped under 11 stories of steel and concrete. Peyton ran to where Alvin Nees and Billy Joe “Bo” Daniels were trapped in the collapsed Pontiki/Excel coal preparation
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A step forward but a long road ahead for water
The plight of Martin County’s water system is a grave reminder of the critical condition of infrastructure in the region and Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District. The recent request by U.S. Representative Harold “Hal” Rogers for $5 million in funding for Martin County, part of an $85.85 million Community Project Funding package, is a step in
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Kentucky coal miner killed in Mingo County
First U.S. coal mining fatality of the year BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN THACKER, W.Va. — A coal miner has died in a mining-related accident in Mingo County. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said in a news release Sunday that 73-year-old William Mapes, of Freeburn, Kentucky, died Sunday afternoon. Mapes was working as a contractor
