Alabama
A Year After a Fatal Explosion, Alabama Extends Deadline for Coal Companies to Monitor Methane Gas Above Mines – Inside Climate News
Undermined: Fourteenth in a series about the impacts of longwall mining in Alabama.
JASPER, Ala.—Verby Burton said she wasn’t expecting much from Thursday’s meeting of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, the agency tasked with regulating the surface impacts of underground coal mining in the state.
“And that’s exactly what I got,” Burton said after the meeting. “Not much.”
Burton is a resident of Oak Grove, a rural community in western Jefferson County, about 45 miles southwest of Birmingham, that sits above an expanding longwall coal mine. The impacts of the aggressive form of mining—cracking roads, damaging foundations, causing land subsidence and triggering the escape of potentially explosive methane gas—have plagued the community for years. That culminated in a home explosion atop the mine in March 2024 that that killed grandfather W.M. Griffice and seriously injured his grandson.
In December, after a series of investigations by Inside Climate News into the explosion and Alabama’s lax regulatory response, federal mining officials forced the state’s hand, issuing a so-called ten-day notice requiring the Alabama Surface Mining Commission to demand methane monitoring plans from coal companies in the state.
In a letter sent in January, the agency’s director, Kathy Love, did just that, requiring that the companies submit new “subsidence control plans” that include measures related to monitoring levels of potentially explosive methane gas in and around homes located above their operations.
At Thursday’s meeting, however, Love announced that she had unilaterally delayed the March 31 deadline she’d previously imposed for submitting such methane monitoring plans by six months, giving coal companies until Sept. 30 to submit the updated documents.
“I was under pressure to get an answer out for that ten-day notice, and, unbeknownst to me—I should’ve thought about it—March 31 is not enough time,” she said.
Love did not mention during Thursday’s meeting how she’d determined that the initial 90-day period was insufficient, but a draft letter from her agency to coal companies across the state obtained by Inside Climate News notes that her decision came after a request from the Alabama Mining Association, a lobbying group that bills itself as the “collective voice of Alabama’s mining industry.”
The draft letter says “mine operators sought assistance from the Alabama Mining Association (AMA) to obtain a deadline extension to allow adequate time for the completion of the comprehensive plans.”
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AMA then formally requested a 180-day extension of the deadline in a letter to the state agency dated March 18, the letter states, and “upon review of the facts and circumstances,” the Alabama regulator granted the request.
Meanwhile, residents who reside atop the expanding Oak Grove mine live in fear of a methane explosion in their home.
Resident Phyllis Wright said in an interview that during a recent thunderstorm, her home methane monitor alerted her to an unsafe level of the gas, advising her to “ventilate and evacuate” her home. Wright didn’t know what to do, she said, and still hasn’t received guidance from mine operators or state or federal regulators as to what should be done in such situations.
At Thursday’s meeting, Love, citing that incident, initially appeared somewhat dismissive of home methane monitors.
“I don’t know what caused that, but it was just an incident that may have been a false alarm or caused by the lightning,” she told residents and commissioners gathered for the meeting. “I don’t know. I can’t even verify anything like that.”
Asked later by an Inside Climate News reporter whether she would have such a monitor in her home were she to live above an expanding longwall mine, however, Love didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Yes, I would,” she said. “Just like I have a fire alarm.”
Love emphasized in the meeting that she believes that coal operators in Alabama are going beyond what’s required by law to monitor methane and ensure the safety of those living above mines. Residents like Lisa Lindsay, W.M. Griffice’s closest neighbor, are skeptical of that claim.
Crimson Oak Grove Resources, the mining company that owns and operates the mine below her home, placed methane monitors under her property following the fatal explosion in 2024.
Since then, Lindsay told Love and commissioners, she’s requested information on the observed methane levels. Only occasionally has she gotten a response, she said. And when she has heard back from company representatives, their answers aren’t specific, simply telling her that elevated levels of methane were detected beneath her home “fewer than five times.”
“They’ve refused to tell me what’s happening under my house,” Lindsay said.
“I don’t know what the justification is for not giving you those readings,” Love responded. “I will make the phone call and see what I can do.”
Oak Grove Resources did not respond to a request for comment. The company hasn’t answered any of Inside Climate News’ questions since the explosion.
“Y’all need to get on it, then,” Lindsay told Love and agency commissioners. “Y’all are the last line of defense for us residents versus the mining industry. Your job is to regulate and help protect us, right? So that’s something that really, really has got to be followed up on. We need to know what’s going on underneath our houses.”
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Lee Hedgepeth
Reporter, Alabama
Lee Hedgepeth is Inside Climate News’ Alabama reporter. Raised in Grand Bay, Alabama, a small town on the Gulf Coast, Lee holds master’s degrees in community journalism and political development from the University of Alabama and Tulane University. Lee is the founder of Tread, a newsletter of Southern journalism, and has also worked for news outlets across Alabama, including CBS 42, Alabama Political Reporter and the Anniston Star. His reporting has focused on issues impacting members of marginalized groups, including homelessness, poverty, and the death penalty. His award-winning journalism has appeared in publications across the country and has been cited by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post, among others.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Dug McDaniel scored 23 points as Memphis beat Alabama State 88-67 on Monday night.
McDaniel went 8 of 16 from the field (7 for 12 from 3-point range) for the Tigers (5-7). Curtis Givens III scored 18 points and added three steals. Ashton Hardaway shot 4 for 8 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points, while adding seven rebounds and five steals.
Asjon Anderson led the way for the Hornets (3-9) with 16 points. Damarien Yates added 13 points and nine rebounds for Alabama State. Tyler Mason also recorded 12 points. The loss is the sixth in a row for the Hornets.
McDaniel scored 14 points in the first half to help Memphis build a 42-33 halftime lead. Memphis pulled away with a 12-2 run in the second half to extend a nine-point lead to 19 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Kalen DeBoer described Indiana as “a great football team.”
The Alabama coach was effusive in his praise of the Hoosiers and their leader.
“Coach Cignetti, just what he’s done is amazing here these last two years, just building the program as quickly as he’s done to the level it’s at,” DeBoer said. “Really looking forward to us diving back into our process here the next 10 days or so, just getting back to work.
No. 9 Alabama will face No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 1 (3 p.m. CT, ESPN). The winner of that matchup will advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, set to take part in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.
Simply put, the Crimson Tide will have its hands full. On offense, the Hoosiers led the nation in third-down conversions and rank third in scoring offense.
Indiana also owns the nation’s No. 10 rushing offense, averaging 221.2 yards per game. Roman Hemby (918 yards, six touchdowns) and Kaelon Black (799 yards, seven touchdowns) are the top two running backs.
“Still diving into it, but I think the thing that jumps out at me, with the first glance here the last day or so, is how well they work together, the offensive line, in particular, and just everyone being in sync,” DeBoer said. “They’re always moving forward.”
Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the leader of the offense as the Heisman Trophy winner. He has thrown for 33 touchdowns to six interceptions. Mendoza has also rushed for six scores this season.
“I just think with obviously Mendoza winning the Heisman, that doesn’t happen by accident,” DeBoer said. “You put a whole season of film together, of games and stringing them each and every week and you end up undefeated because a trigger man can make some plays and do his things at an extremely high level.”
At receiver, Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt are Mendoza’s top two targets. Cooper has secured 58 passes for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sarratt has caught 51 passes for 687 yards and 12 scores.
“I look at their skill around the offensive line, they just all complement each other,” DeBoer said. “They go make plays. When the opportunities are there, they get it done.”
Defensively, the Hoosiers rank second in the nation in third downs and scoring defense. Indiana’s also third in tackles for loss.
“The defense, has the tackles for losses and is physical as well,” DeBoer said.
In total, it all has led to a 13-0 season so far after Indiana went 11-2 in 2024.
“There’s great coaching you can see to put them in spots to succeed, but also the guys, you can see they play with a swagger, with a confidence,” DeBoer said, “and as they should with the success they’ve had.”
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Henry opened the scoring with a 21-yard run with 12:21 left in the first quarter and scored on a 2-yard run as Baltimore took an 11-point lead with 12:50 remaining.
But he did not get on the field again, and the Ravens lost to the Patriots 28-24.
New England answered Henry’s second touchdown with one of their own (plus a 2-point conversion) to cut Baltimore’s lead to three points with 9:01 to play.
When the Ravens, playing without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson by that point, took possession, they had Keaton Mitchell at running back. He carried the football on two of Baltimore’s six snaps before the Ravens punted.
New England scored another touchdown with 2:07 left to take a four-point lead. Baltimore took the field without Henry again and threw two passes. The second was completed, but fumbled, and the Patriots recovered to seal their victory.
After the game, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked if Henry should have been in the backfield after New England cut the lead to three points.
“I mean, yeah,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, I look back, and I say yeah. …
“Looking back, would I rather have Derrick starting the drive? Yeah, but you know, Derrick was kind of ready for Keaton to start that drive, and then he was planning on coming in next. So they were working that rotation. You look back on it, I think it’s pretty easy to say he should have been in there or shouldn’t have been in there, but we’re rotating those guys throughout the game as two backs. But yeah, game-winning drive, do I want Derrick Henry in the on the field? Sure, I do want him on the field.”
Mitchell finished the game with 13 yards on nine carries.
“We’ve been doing the rotation for how many weeks,” Henry said. “Keaton’s doing a great job in the run game. We’re both in there doing the best we can. We got a lot of good players, so everybody has to get their touches, get opportunities. And Keaton is deserving of it.”
Between the touchdowns, Henry lost a fumble at the New England 32-yard line in the first quarter.
Including the playoffs, Henry has 33 games with at least 128 rushing yards. Sunday night’s contest was the third that his team had lost.
The loss dropped Baltimore two games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North race with two games to play. The Ravens play the Green Bay Packers on Saturday and the Steelers play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday before Baltimore and Pittsburgh square off in the regular-season finale on Jan. 4.
Henry was among the 39 former Alabama players who got on the field on the 16th Sunday of the NFL’s 106th season.
Four other former Alabama players were involved in the New England-Baltimore game:
- Christian Barmore started at defensive tackle for the Patriots. Barmore registered one quarterback hit.
- Patriots tight end CJ Dippre was designated as a game-day inactive.
- Marlon Humphrey (Hoover) started at cornerback for the Ravens. Humphrey made six tackles, intercepted one pass and broke up another. Humphrey picked off quarterback Drake Maye at the Baltimore 4-yard line in the first quarter. Humphrey’s third interception of the season was the 22nd of his career. That’s tied for the fifth-most by a former Alabama player in the NFL with Russ Craft and Kareem Jackson. Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville) recorded his second sack of the season.
- Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville) recorded his second sack of the season.
In the other Sunday games:
Carolina Panthers 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
- Buccaneers safety Marcus Banks is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
- Buccaneers outside linebacker Chris Braswell made one tackle for loss and had one tackle on special teams.
- Panthers defensive end LaBryan Ray (James Clemens) made two tackles.
- A’Shawn Robinson started at defensive end for the Panthers. Robinson made one tackle.
- Bryce Young started at quarterback for the Panthers. Young completed 21-of-32 passes for 191 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and ran four times for 20 yards. Young threw touchdown passes of 22 yards to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan as Carolina took a 13-7 lead with seven seconds left in the first half and 6 yards to tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders as the Panthers went ahead 20-17 with eight seconds left in the third quarter.
PANTHERS TOP BUCS: ‘BRYCE AND THE BOYS MADE SOME PLAYS TO KEEP US ALIVE’
Buffalo Bills 23, Cleveland Browns 20
- Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond had one rushing attempt that lost 1 yard, and while he did not have a reception, he had 21 receiving yards. Cleveland wide receiver Malachi Corley caught a pass 6 yards behind the line of scrimmage and lateraled to Bond, who ran 27 yards to the Buffalo 23-yard line. The play set up a touchdown on the Browns’ opening possession.
- Browns offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
- Browns running back Jerome Ford is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Jerry Jeudy started at wide receiver for the Browns. Jeudy had three receptions for 12 yards.
- Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis made four tackles after not playing in the previous five games.
- Cam Robinson started at left offensive tackle for the Browns.
- Tyrell Shavers started at wide receiver for the Bills. Shavers had a 21-yard reception.
Los Angeles Chargers 34, Dallas Cowboys 17
- Tyler Booker started at right guard for the Cowboys.
- Bradley Bozeman (Handley) started at center for the Chargers.
- Trevon Diggs started at cornerback for the Cowboys. Diggs made six tackles. Diggs played for the first time since Oct. 12 after being sidelined for the past eight games by a concussion and knee soreness.
- Chargers defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe made one tackle on special teams.
- Da’Shawn Hand started at defensive tackle for the Chargers. Hand made two tackles.
- Chargers running back Najee Harris is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
- Chargers punter JK Scott had one punt for 55 yards, which went for a fair catch at the Dallas 19-yard line.
- Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Wenonah) was designated as a game-day inactive. A concussion kept Williams out of the lineup.
Cincinnati Bengals 45, Miami Dolphins 21
- Jordan Battle started at safety for the Bengals. Battle tied for the team lead with five tackles on defense and had five tackles on special teams. Battle also caused Miami tight end Greg Dulcich to fumble, and Cincinnati recovered at the Dolphins 34-yard line. The Bengals turned the takeaway into a touchdown to take a 24-14 lead with 9:43 left in the third quarter.
- Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was designated as a game-day inactive. A calf injury kept Fitzpatrick out of the lineup.
- Bengals center Seth McLauglin is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
- Tua Tagovailoa was designated as the Dolphins’ emergency third quarterback. Tagovailoa could play only if Quinn Ewers and Zach Wilson could not. It was the first game since the first five of Tagovailoa’s career in 2020 that he did not start when healthy.
- Jaylen Waddle started at wide receiver for the Dolphins. Waddle led Miami with five receptions for 72 yards.
New Orleans Saints 29, New York Jets 6
- John Metchie III started at wide receiver for the Jets. Metchie had a 4-yard reception.
- Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry (Pinson Valley) started at cornerback for the Saints. McKinstry made five tackles and broke up one pass.
- Malachi Moore (Hewitt-Trussville) started at safety for the Jets. Moore made eight tackles and forced one fumble. Moore caused Taysom Hill to fumble on the second snap of the game, and New York recovered at the New Orleans 37-yard line to set up a field goal.
- Jets running back Keilan Robinson is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Minnesota Vikings 16, New York Giants 13
- Jonathan Allen started at defensive tackle for the Vikings. Allen made eight tackles, recorded one sack and had two tackles for loss. Allen registered his highest tackle total since he had eight in the Washington Commanders’ 20-20 tie with the New York Giants on Dec. 4, 2022. Allen has 3.5 sacks this season.
- Ryan Kelly started at center for the Vikings. Kelly left the game to be evaluated for a concussion. He has missed time this season because of two concussions already.
- Giants offensive linebacker Evan Neal is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Vikings kicker Will Reichard (Hoover) made his four kicks – field goals of 43, 31 and 30 yards and one extra point. Reichard’s 30-yard field goal with 4:15 to play broke a 13-13 tie.
- Dallas Turner started at outside linebacker for the Vikings. Turner made one tackle.
Tennessee Titans 26, Kansas City Chiefs 9
- Jalyn Armour-Davis (St. Paul’s Episcopal) started at cornerback for the Titans. Armour-Davis made two tackles. He returned to the lineup after missing the past three games.
- J.C. Latham started at right offensive tackle for the Titans.
- Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Atlanta Falcons 26, Arizona Cardinals 19
- Ronnie Harrison started at inside linebacker for the Falcons. Harrison made two tackles.
- Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Dalvin Tomlinson started at nose tackle for the Cardinals. Tomlinson made three tackles.
- Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson (Carver-Montgomery) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Jacksonville Jaguars 34, Denver Broncos 20
- Broncos outside linebacker Que Robinson (Jackson-Olin) made two tackles on defense, recorded one tackle for loss, registered two quarterback hits, broke up one pass and had one tackle on special teams.
- Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Patrick Surtain II started at cornerback for the Broncos. Surtain made one tackle.
Pittsburgh Steelers 29, Detroit Lions 24
- Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Lions safety Brian Branch is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Jahmyr Gibbs started at running back for the Lions. Gibbs ran for 2 yards on seven carries – the fewest rushing yards in his career. He also caught 10 passes for 66 yards and one touchdown. Gibbs’ 4-yard reception from quarterback Jared Goff with 4:11 left to play gave the running back the NFL record for the most touchdowns in a player’s first three seasons. With his 48th, Gibbs surpassed Barry Sanders’ record of 47.
JAHMYR GIBBS SETS AN NFL TOUCHDOWN RECORD
- Jameson Williams started at wide receiver for the Lions. Williams had five receptions for 70 yards as he reached 1,000 receiving yards for the second season in a row.
JAMESON WILLIAMS REACHES RECEIVING MILESTONE
Houston Texans 23, Las Vegas Raiders 21
- Will Anderson Jr. started at defensive end for the Texans. Anderson made two tackles and recorded one sack. Anderson has reached a career high with 11.5 sacks.
- Texans linebacker Christian Harris made one tackle on special teams.
- Henry To’oTo’o started at linebacker for the Texans. To’oTo’o made four tackles.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
Week 16 started on Thursday night, when the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in overtime.
Week 16 continued on Saturday, when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Washington Commanders 29-18 and the Chicago Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime.
Week 16 concludes on Monday, when the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts square off at 7:15 p.m. CDT at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. ABC and ESPN will televise the game.
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