It is our intent to keep you and your colleagues abreast of pertinent developments within the coal industry on a frequent basis. 

Accordingly, Coal Forum Headlines is a compilation of daily articles and stories about coal from around the region and the world. Upon reviewing this news stream, if you have suggestions to improve it or make it more useful please let us know.  And lastly, please share this with your colleagues and if they have an interest simply have them visit here to receive future editions directly.

Residents raise concerns about expanding Marshall County coal impoundment
WTRF
Marshall County residents are voicing concerns about the continued growth of a coal impoundment. The discussion centers on the facility’s footprint, effects on nearby properties and the balance between community concerns and the coal industry’s importance to West Virginia.

Google-backed battery project takes shape on former West Virginia strip mine
Fast Company
A long-duration battery project backed by Google is being developed on a 500-acre portion of a West Virginia strip-mine site, while mining continues elsewhere on the property. The project illustrates how former mine acreage is being considered for new energy infrastructure.

New study finds Appalachian black-lung rates are the worst in 50 years
The Daily Yonder
New research finds black-lung disease rates among Appalachian coal miners have reached their highest level in five decades. The report arrives as miner advocates press for stronger federal health protections, monitoring and enforcement.

Pennsylvania spends millions supporting waste-coal power industry
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
A new report examines hundreds of millions of dollars in Pennsylvania public support for companies that burn waste coal. The coverage considers the industry’s role in reclaiming historic refuse piles alongside questions about emissions, subsidies and energy policy.

Former federal mine-safety commissioner drops lawsuit over removal
Bloomberg Law
A former commissioner at the agency that hears federal mine-safety appeals has voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit challenging his removal by the Trump administration. The development closes a dispute involving leadership and independence in the federal mine-safety system.

German regulator says no additional coal-operation bans are needed
Clean Energy Wire
Germany’s energy regulator says no new bans on coal-plant operations are currently required because facilities have been leaving the market voluntarily. The assessment comes as energy-security concerns renew debate over the pace and management of the country’s coal exit.

Chinese developer advances Zhundong coal-to-gas project
ChemNet
Xinye Group has conducted on-site project scheduling for the Zhundong coal-to-gas development in China. The activity signals continued progress on a large coal-conversion project intended to turn domestic resources into higher-value fuel products.