Robert Browman

The Daily Yonder — a source of news, commentary, research, and features about issues facing rural communities — is currently leading their site with a story by journalist Robert Browman.

The story is about the sense of betrayal felt by activists after the Environmental Protection Agency seemingly ignored their own guidance and recommended approval of a new mountaintop removal mine permit in West Virginia. It includes images by Chad A. Stevens, director of the documentary film The Coal War.

Read the full story by clicking the headline below:

Mountaineers Say EPA Has Backtracked

In April, a turn in the Environmental Protection Agency bouyed Lorelei Scarbro with hope. After many trips to the nation’s capitol to oppose mountaintop removal mining, the 54 year old grandmother and coal miner’s widow thought the EPA was taking its first steps to abolish the radical coal extraction process that threatens her West Virginia home.

But two weeks ago, the EPA seemingly reversed course. It recommended approval of a major mountaintop removal mine in nearby Logan County, WV, an operation that would level 760 mountain acres, fill three valleys, and destroy more than two miles of streams.

Read the full story on The Daily Yonder.

Freelance journalist Robert Browman is lead writer for the documentary film The Coal War. He reports on issues relating to the practice of mountaintop removal in Appalachia. Browman also writes Florida environmental stories for the online publication FloridaSphere.