The Front Porch Blog, with Updates from AppalachiaThe Front Porch Blog, with Updates from Appalachia

Historic investments in Abandoned Mine Land Program a win for coal-impacted communities

Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 | Posted by Willie Dodson | No Comments

Congress has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes the reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land Program and the largest-ever investment in abandoned coal mine cleanup! Now they must pass the Build Back Better Act to invest in workers, families and clean energy. [ Read More ]


Restoring waters damaged by acid mine drainage: A conversation with Amanda Pitzer

Monday, November 1st, 2021 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments

Amanda Pitzer with Friends of the Cheat discusses the specific impacts of acid mine drainage on the Cheat River, analyzes abandoned mine lands funding pending before Congress and charts a path for future success in collaboration with state and federal decision-makers. [ Read More ]


Army Corps reopens Mountain Valley Pipeline application to dump into rivers

Thursday, October 21st, 2021 | Posted by Ridge Graham | No Comments

Due to all of the feedback and pressure that we and many concerned citizens gave the United States Army Corps of Engineers, they have opened a second comment period for Mountain Valley Pipeline's 404 permit application. [ Read More ]


The Sun is Shining on Southwest Virginia’s Growing Solar Industry

Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 | Posted by Austin Counts | No Comments

Learn about several exciting updates on the bright future for Southwest Virginia’s growing solar energy industry, broken down into four categories: 1) residential solar, 2) commercial solar, 3) utility solar and 4) shared solar! [ Read More ]


How acid mine drainage fits into pending mine cleanup legislation: A conversation with Joe Pizarchik

Sunday, October 17th, 2021 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments

Joe Pizarchik, former head of OSMRE and one of the nation’s foremost experts on complex and sprawling abandoned mine lands issues, provides an essential overview of how acid mine drainage fits into pending legislative proposals and where we should look next. [ Read More ]


From the Rockies to Appalachia: Virginia can look to Colorado for electric co-op reform

Thursday, October 14th, 2021 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments

Undemocratic governance at Virginia's electric cooperatives is a serious issue that has left co-op members across the state frustrated and ready for reform. Closed-door board meetings and unfair voting practices are two of the issues members hope to change in 2022. [ Read More ]


Duke Energy-backed bill would raise rates, doesn’t guarantee climate measures

Thursday, October 7th, 2021 | Posted by Josh McClenney | No Comments

Instead of taking the path outlined by Governor Cooper’s Clean Energy Plan, Duke Energy has continued to work behind closed doors to write legislation that lines the pockets of its shareholders, on the backs of ratepayers, while failing to guarantee that the 70% carbon reductions envisioned in the bill will even be achieved by the 2030 target date. [ Read More ]


Confronting acid mine drainage: A conversation with Rural Action’s Marissa Lautzenheiser

Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments

In this conversation, Marissa Lautzenheiser of Rural Action lays out the basics of the acid mine drainage challenge, discusses the unique funding needs for AMD clean-up, and talks about some of the innovative work Rural Action is doing to tackle this problem. [ Read More ]


Tell White House officials that coal mine cleanup must be a priority

Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments

Insufficient bonding systems and decades of poor enforcement of mine reclamation law have led to a severe backlog in abandoned mines — and a new wave of coal bankruptcies is exacerbating the problem. [ Read More ]


Blackjewel mine creates emergency road hazard in Russell County, VA

Thursday, September 9th, 2021 | Posted by Willie Dodson | 1 Comment

Heavy rains caused debris from an inactive coal mine to block portions of VA State Route 632 in late August — an event that might become all too common with climate change-fueled rainfall likely to intensify. [ Read More ]


Miners with black lung call on Congress to protect benefits

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments

In an August webinar, advocates and representatives of the Black Lung Association discussed the critical importance for the passage of a permanent 25% increase to the Black Lung Excise Tax on coal companies. [ Read More ]


Utility disconnection protections: Let’s make it permanent

Monday, August 30th, 2021 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments

Shutting off electricity and other vital utilities of families who can't afford their bills is unjust. During a pandemic, it's barbaric. Appalachian Voices offers solutions. [ Read More ]



 

 


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