Guest bloggers Divest Appalachian members Cassidy Quillen and Olivia Nelson take a look at how the Atlantic Coast Pipeline touts an ideology of sustainability while profiting off of industries driving climate change. [ Read More ]
Students speak out against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline: Why collaborative resistance matters
Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
Get out the sunscreen: Solar is coming to Southwest Virginia
Tuesday, March 28th, 2017 | Posted by Adam Wells | No Comments
The Southwest Virginia Solar Fair on May 9 in Wise, Va., will be a celebration of the upcoming solar development in Southwest Virginia and brings an emerging and exciting effort full circle. [ Read More ]
Two North Carolina counties make energy efficiency history
Saturday, March 25th, 2017 | Posted by Lauren Essick | No Comments
Two western North Carolina counties -- Yancey and Mitchell -- made energy efficiency history when they passed resolutions supporting development of an "on-bill financing" for their citizens by local utility French Broad Electric. [ Read More ]
Unnecessary and unwanted: Opposition to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline grows
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 | Posted by Lara Mack | 1 Comment
The public has taken every opportunity to tell FERC to reject the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. There’s still time to add your voice to the choir of people across the country urging FERC to reject the unnecessary and unwanted project.
[ Read More ]
White House budget leaves Appalachia in the dust
Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 | Posted by Thom Kay | No Comments
The White House released its budget blueprint last week, and the proposal is nothing short of a disaster for Appalachia and rural communities across the country. Here's a look at a few agencies and programs the White House wants to completely eliminate if it had its way. [ Read More ]
Congress must act to protect coal miners’ benefits
Friday, March 10th, 2017 | Posted by Thom Kay | No Comments
In a matter of weeks, health care benefits for thousands of retired union coal miners will run out. In just a matter of years, the entire United Mine Workers pension plan, which covers nearly 90,000 former coal miners and their widows, may become insolvent. [ Read More ]
FERC’s pipeline review process is broken
Monday, February 20th, 2017 | Posted by Peter Anderson | No Comments
It’s no secret: oil and gas pipelines have captured the nation’s attention, not to mention the new administration’s. But new research is refuting the industry's pro-pipeline arguments and even a former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is calling for greater scrutiny of proposed natural gas infrastructure projects. [ Read More ]
Appalachia is blessed with abundant water — we should protect it
Monday, February 20th, 2017 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
"One of the resources we are most blessed with here in Appalachia is fresh drinking water of the highest quality," writes Mackay Pierce in defense of the Stream Protection Rule, which was recently thrown out by Congress and President Trump. "We should be taking every possible measure that we can to protect it." [ Read More ]
Senate confirms Scott Pruitt to lead EPA
Friday, February 17th, 2017 | Posted by Brian Sewell | No Comments
As expected, the Senate has confirmed former Oklahoma attorney general and walking conflict of interest Scott Pruitt to be the next administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If President Trump still plans to cripple the EPA, as he repeatedly promised during his campaign, the man to lead that effort begins work on Monday. [ Read More ]
Protect natural resources for Southwest Virginia’s future
Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
For all my life, the coal economy has ruled this region and its people," writes Ron Short of Danville, Va., in a letter supporting the Stream Protection Rule. "Now we are facing the demise of the coal industry, and we must save the valuable natural resources that we have left if we are ever to develop cultural tourism and eco-tourism as important parts of a new economy that works for everyone." [ Read More ]
Energy policy in Virginia: 2017 General Assembly update
Thursday, February 9th, 2017 | Posted by Peter Anderson | No Comments
It’s “crossover” time at the Virginia General Assembly. Here at Appalachian Voices, we are closely tracking bills that will impact Virginia’s energy future. Will the commonwealth continue the fossil fuel-friendly policies of the past, or will we start building a clean energy economy today? [ Read More ]
Fighting for clean water after the Stream Protection Rule
Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
When Congress voted last week to overturn the Stream Protection Rule, people braced themselves for the coming impacts. But threats to public water from corporate and political interests are nothing new in Central Appalachia, nor is the problem unique to this area. In the face of these threats, communities fighting for clean water need our continued support. [ Read More ]
