Mining Our Mountains
In Appalachia, mining companies literally blow the tops off mountains to reach thin seams of coal. They then dump millions of tons of rubble and toxic waste into the streams and valleys below the mining sites.
This destructive practice, known as mountaintop-removal (MTR) mining, has damaged or destroyed nearly 2,000 miles of streams and threatens to destroy 1.4 million acres of mountaintops and forests by 2020. The mining poisons drinking water, destroys beautiful, biodiverse forests and wildlife habitat, increases the risk of flooding, and threatens entire communities.
Who Gets Hurt
Mountaintop removal mining pollutes waterways and allows toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, selenium, and arsenic to leach into local water supplies that communities rely on. But the danger isn't limited to drinking water. Mountaintop removal also causes air pollution that affects communities for miles around. Many of the toxins that pollute mountaintop-removal sites are carcinogens, and cancer rates are twice as high for people who live near mountaintop-removal sites.
The Future for Tennessee’s Mountains and Mountains Communities
Ending mountaintop removal and other forms of destructive coal strip mining and transitioning to clean energy will benefit Appalachia by creating good jobs in the clean-energy and tourism industries and by improving public health.
The ultimate goal we hope to achieve.
Sierra Club strives to make Tennessee a model for ending mountaintop removal and destructive coal mining practices in Appalachia. We want to see the coal industry internalize the true costs of its destructive coal mining operations. These costs include air and water pollution, massive public health issues and the economic decline of coal-producing regions. We want to see mountain communities have viable non-coal economic opportunities.
Stopping MTR and keeping coal in the ground is a priority of the Tennessee Sierra Club and we have been working on coal mining-related issues since 2004. Partnering with local communities and allied organizations, the Tennessee Sierra Club works closely with volunteers in our state as well as national staff and the Environmental Law Program to hold coal companies accountable and to build more just and sustainable mountain communities. We encourage you to join us in our activities and campaigns to advocate for land stewardship, a clean energy future, and responsible mining practices.
To get involved contact Bonnie Swinford: (865) 755-0095
Learn More about Mountaintop Removal in Tennessee
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Environmental enforcement works best with citizen engagement so we organize, educate and if necessary litigate to defend Tennessee while pushing to strengthen environmental protection.
We need you to help stop new and expanded surface mines and to bring coal operations into compliance for Clean Water Act/Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Area violations.
We need you for:
- Citizens enforcement work
- Water testing
- Litigating
- Attendance at public hearings
- Media and online work
- Community organizing in impacted areas
Stay Informed:
Sign up to receive state water pollution permit notices by sending your name, phone number and mailing address to:
tbowling@osmre.gov
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about the impacts of mountaintop removal or about a current coal issue.
- Write your elected officials about mountaintop removal.
- Set up information tables in busy areas and at special events.
- Give a presentation to a class or community groups .
- Host a mountaintop removal film screening.
- Organize a trip to see mountaintop removal first hand.
- Host an educational event, fundraiser or house party to raise awareness about mountaintop removal and environmental injustice.
Help defeat the “Primacy” bill
The Tennessee Mining Association has again proposed a bill, the "Primacy and Reclamation Act of Tennessee", that would have the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) take over all strip-mine permitting and oversight of coal mining from the federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM). This new program would cost state taxpayers millions of dollars while allowing the coal-mining industry to further endanger Tennessee's water quality. Tennesseans should not allow taxpayer money to be spent for a new state regulatory program when a federal program already exists.
TDEC is already stretched thin both monetarily and in personnel, especially in their oversight of water pollution permits. This new program would almost certainly weaken environmental regulations.
Please contact the senators and representatives on the committees listed on the Get Involved page and tell them to vote NO on Senate Bill 0842 by Yager and House Bill 0833 by Powers.