From our partners at Appalachian Voices

Our communities are deeply tied to our lands — the land gives us clean water, refuge for wildlife and a sense of place. But today, hundreds of thousands of acres of coal mines are not being cleaned up. This puts nearby residents at risk, threatens our water and drags down our local economies.

When mines are neither producing coal nor being reclaimed, we call these mines “zombie mines” — and coal companies should be held responsible for cleaning them up.

Tell your members of Congress: Hold coal companies responsible for mine clean-up!

Rep. Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania and Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia have introduced bills that would make sure coal companies pay for the cost of mine cleanup and ensure that cleanup happens in a timely manner.

Tell your members of Congress to prevent zombie mines by supporting these bills!

Thank you!