West Virginia Governor Jim Justice faces justice for coal crimes in Kentucky
By Adam Mahoney, Grist
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice used coal to propel himself into public office in the coal-friendly state, but a few hundred miles away his association with coal is not so positive. Earlier this month in Kentucky, the billionaire politician and his son-turned-business partner were personally fined $2.9 million by the state for failing to reclaim three of their Eastern Kentucky mines, a process that makes them environmentally safe for redevelopment.
The proprietor of the Greenbrier Resort owns more than 50 coal mines and businesses and has faced fines before — along with community opposition — for failing to pay taxes and suppliers, inadequately implementing mine safety requirements, and ignoring court-ordered environmental remediation work.

He joins other high-ranking elected officials, such as Senator Joe Manchin and Congressman Michael McCaul, who are in the business of passing climate legislation while having interests in the fossil fuel industry. Justice’s attorneys claim the missed deadline that prompted the most recent fine is not his fault; the coronavirus pandemic made it impossible to safely get the reclamation work in time.
Recent Posts
The Corporate War On Free Speech, A Zero Hour Conversation With Jeff Cohen
October 8, 2025
Take Action Now Jeff Cohen discusses the way right-wing moguls from Larry Ellison to Mark Zuckerberg are reshaping both traditional and social media,…
Are You Being Lied To? Is Portland “War-Ravaged”?
October 8, 2025
Take Action Now At one point, Trump himself questioned what was going on, asking, “Am I watching things on television that are different from what’s…
Wake Up, America: Democracy Is Disappearing Before Our Eyes
October 7, 2025
Take Action Now America’s democracy is under threat from a velvet-glove authoritarianism. Citizens must act now—beyond the ballot box—to defend…
Palestine Solidarity Protests Continue To Grow Across Europe
October 7, 2025
Take Action Now Record crowds again filled streets across Europe, demanding an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza and freedom for the Global Sumud…