On April 5, 2010, a coal-dust explosion at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia, killed 29 miners. Though subsequent investigations found that a pervasive pattern of negligence and safety violations had led to the entirely preventable tragedy, in 2015 Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship got off with a slap on […]
Tag: coal
Posted inBlogs
The horrors—real and imagined—of a weekend in Trump’s southern Illinois
Southern Illinois feels like a horror movie—and even more so under Trump, who pandered to rural areas for their votes.
Posted inNews & Politics
Illinois coal’s last stand
Even as people bemoan its environmental and health effects, the prospect of its demise sparks fear and nostalgia.
Posted inBlogs
Like the Tale of John Henry, Only About Castration Anxiety Instead of Modernity
Women and their damned electricity took our penises away.
Posted inBlogs
Coal: Echoes of Chicago History
“Chicago Without Coal” and the days of smokeless coal.
Posted inBlogs
A solution for the coal plant problem?
A couple of weeks ago local environmental groups announced their intent to sue the owners of six heavy-polluting coal-fired power plants in Illinois for polluting more than what they’re allowed under federal law. If, as they hope, they can pressure the federal government to take action, they may want to turn to Shadyside, Ohio, for […]
Posted inBlogs
The latest salvo in the fight to clean up Chicago’s air
Watchdog organizations announce plans to sue the owner of Chicago coal-fired power plants for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
Posted inNews & Politics
A Mining Tragedy
Miners from around the country come to Chicago doctor Bob Cohen for help getting coal companies to pay black lung benefits. And though the disease is preventable, he can only expect to get busier.