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Monongalia County Commission adopts resolution urging Congress to increase federal black lung benefits
Summary
The commission voted to adopt a resolution urging federal lawmakers to raise federal black lung benefits after testimony from the Appalachian Citizens Law Center about local impacts and nationwide case increases.
Monongalia County Commission on March 5, 2025, voted to adopt a resolution urging members of the county’s federal delegation to support legislation to increase federal black lung benefits for disabled miners and their dependents.
Brendan, a policy advocate with the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, told commissioners that black lung is a progressive, fatal disease caused by inhaling coal and silica dust and said cases are rising nationwide. He cited research showing some younger miners developing severe disease after only a few years of exposure and said about 5,017 West Virginians were receiving federal black lung benefits in the most recent state data he referenced; he said 61 of those recipients live in Monongalia County.
The presenter summarized economic impacts for Monongalia County, noting the benefits delivered a figure he cited as $1,382,105 in disability and medical benefits over the prior year. The resolution text read into the record during the meeting used a different total, saying roughly $2,382,000 in benefit payments supported county residents the prior year; the commission adopted the resolution as written.
Brendan asked the commission to use the county’s formal resolution to urge congressional action, and read background including past legislative attempts such as the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, which has been introduced repeatedly but has not reached a floor vote, according to the presenter. "We are seeing cases of disease in people with 5, 6 years of exposure, sometimes even less," Brendan said, quoting a University of Illinois researcher as he summarized national trends.
A commissioner moved to support the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The clerk assigned the resolution to the county record following adoption.
The resolution directs a formal request that Monongalia County’s congressional delegation support changes to federal black lung benefit rates; the county will file the adopted resolution with the record. The resolution text as read lists specific federal officials by name.
