Appalachian Voices is celebrating two decades of bringing people together to stand up for the mountains, for clean rivers and drinking water, for farms, forests and wildlife, and for healthy communities across the Appalachian region. [ Read More ]
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Cat McCue
Although not native to the region, Cat feels deeply connected to the mountains, rivers, backroads and small towns of Appalachia she has come to know over the years. She is Appalachian Voices' Senior Communications and Public Engagement Strategist.20 years of action, innovation and collaboration
Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments
D.C. sends a ray of hope to Southwest Virginia
Thursday, May 11th, 2017 | Posted by Cat McCue | 1 Comment
Through the dark clouds of the Trump administration’s agenda for rolling back or killing off programs critical to the health of Appalachian communities and the environment, a bright spot has emerged -- $10 million for repurposing old coal mines in Southwest Virginia for new economic opportunities. [ Read More ]
Atlantic Coast Pipeline is far from a done deal
Friday, April 28th, 2017 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments
In a classic “fake news” move, Dominion Resources execs held a tele-press conference yesterday where they basically said the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a done deal. But at least 25,000 people across W.Va., Va. and N.C. are demanding answers, such as: Is this pipeline even needed? [ Read More ]
Standing up for the Stream Protection Rule
Thursday, January 19th, 2017 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments
Countless citizens have worked for years to push for a federal rule that would help safeguard drinking water sources and surface waters in coal-impacted communities. It finally goes into effect today, but Congress and the incoming administration have vowed to kill it. Appalachian Voices, in alliance with others, is standing up to defend the Stream Protection Rule. [ Read More ]
Aww shucks, y’all …. thanks!
Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments
We're doing a little victory dance today! Blue Ridge Outdoors' readers voted Appalachian Voices the Best Environmental Organization in 2016. Aww shucks -- thanks everyone. We're committed to living up to the honor in 2017, and beyond. [ Read More ]
Atlantic Coast Pipeline environmental review falls short
Monday, January 2nd, 2017 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released its draft environmental review of the $5 billion Atlantic Coast pipeline last Friday. Unfortunately, the agency ignored evidence that the proposed 600-mile pipeline, spearheaded by Dominion Resources, is not needed and puts lives, communities, drinking water and the climate at unacceptable risk. [ Read More ]
Connecting the economic dots in Southwest Virginia
Thursday, May 19th, 2016 | Posted by Cat McCue | 1 Comment
More than 300 people turned out for the recent Southwest Virginia Economic Forum hosted by UVA-Wise -- perhaps the largest gathering of people coming together to talk specifically and hopefully about solutions for the region's economic future. A week later, the positive energy coming out of the forum is still palpable in the community, with some feeling it may have been the turning point for the region. [ Read More ]
A home base in Southwest Virginia
Thursday, February 18th, 2016 | Posted by Cat McCue | 3 Comments
We’re very excited to announce the official opening of our new office in the City of Norton, Va., located in far southwest Virginia, part of the Mountain Empire Here, we’re surrounded by the mountains, forests, rivers and communities we love. [ Read More ]
Powering Up: Diversifying central Appalachia’s economy
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments
From The Appalachian Voice: As coal production continues to decline, many citizens and groups in central Appalachia are working hard to find new avenues for economic diversification. [ Read More ]
Takin’ 5 with Tony Flaccavento
Saturday, November 28th, 2015 | Posted by Cat McCue | 1 Comment
Tony Flaccavento has been a leading voice for sustainable economic development in southwest Virginia for more than two decades. An organic farmer, small businessman and author, Tony has been making a series of short videos exploring the positive forces of localized, sustainable economies. [ Read More ]A “golden opportunity” in disguise
Thursday, July 9th, 2015 | Posted by Cat McCue | 2 Comments
In 2013, federal funds derived from a per-ton fee on mined coal were distributed to Central Appalachia states for restoring abandoned mine lands. The result was $182 million in economic benefit and 1,317 jobs--plus cleaner streams, and a healthier future for nearby residents. A new report out shows how the federal program should be fixed to yield even better results, and sooner. [ Read More ]Pope’s message on climate brings hope for change
Thursday, June 18th, 2015 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments
"...for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing changes in its climate, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life – these are sins." Thus spake Pope Francis today in his "Laudato Si'" letter, the Vatican's first encyclical on the environment. And it's a doozy. [ Read More ]
