Tuesday, September 27th, 2016 | Posted by Erin Savage | 1 Comment
The history of the Doe Branch mine in Southwest Virginia is long and complicated, and its future remains unclear. A bankruptcy saga with the mine’s previous owner stalled development in the past year, but things appear to be getting back on track — putting the Russell Fork River at risk. [
Read More ]
Friday, September 9th, 2016 | Posted by Elizabeth E. Payne | No Comments
In a letter sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Sept. 1, the U.S. Forest Service voiced concerns that the proposed route for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline could threaten several streams in the George Washington National Forest. [
Read More ]
Wednesday, September 7th, 2016 | Posted by Thom Kay | No Comments
In February, a bill was introduced in Congress that would expedite funding to clean up old coal mining sites and redevelop them specifically to foster economic growth. The RECLAIM Act is now in committee and the language is expected to change a bit in the coming weeks. As Congress considers those changes, lawmakers should look to communities impacted by the coal industry, in Appalachia and across the country, whose perspective is vital to the bill's success.
[
Read More ]
Tuesday, August 30th, 2016 | Posted by Amy Kelly | No Comments
The Tennessee Valley Authority was created in the 1930s to bring cheap electricity to the most rural reaches of the Tennessee River valley. Almost a century later, many residents are struggling to pay electric bills that can be hundreds of dollars a month for their modest homes. Utility-sponsored financing to help with energy-efficiency improvements would go a long way. [
Read More ]
Friday, August 26th, 2016 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
After two years of pressure from citizens, West Virginia permanently halted mining at the KD#2 mountaintop removal coal mine. But the mine has already damaged land and water. This guest post features a statement from the Kanawha Forest Coalition. [
Read More ]
Friday, August 26th, 2016 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
Education is a key part of our work, and one way we are helping residents lower their energy costs is by creating and sharing some short videos with Do-It-Yourself energy efficiency tip. This video features John Kidda, founder and President of reNew Homes, Inc., in Boone, N.C., discusses programmable thermostats as a way to save on heating and cooling. [
Read More ]
Wednesday, August 24th, 2016 | Posted by Lou Murrey | No Comments
For the Schmidt family of Tazewell, Tennessee, managing their budget is a balancing act, and one they have become very good at. But high electric bills--up to $300 in the winter--makes that balance tricky to maintain, sometimes leaving very little for emergency funds, much less for the home repairs they need that could actually lower their energy use.
[
Read More ]
Sunday, August 21st, 2016 | Posted by Tom Cormons | No Comments
Our democratic responsibility should not be confined just to voting on Election Day. We have opportunities throughout the year to participate; whether it’s speaking before our town council, meeting with our congressional representatives, writing a letter-to-the-editor, attending a rally or signing an online petition, each action represents a voice or idea that would otherwise not be heard. [
Read More ]
Monday, August 15th, 2016 | Posted by Guest Contributor | 1 Comment
While North Carolina is rightfully focused on the coal ash scandal, another environmental tug-of-war is strengthening in some of the state’s poorest areas. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline would cut 170 miles through eastern N.C. where a quarter to a third of people live in poverty. And this is precisely why these types of projects are placed in low-income communities: to reduce the chance of resistance. [
Read More ]
Thursday, August 11th, 2016 | Posted by Brian Sewell | 1 Comment
Where does the war of words over coal ash health advisories leave North Carolinians with contaminated drinking water? Exactly where they were before: as distrustful of DEQ and DHHS as they are of their water’s safety. But in the battle between state employees and the McCrory administration, residents are clear on who they trust. [
Read More ]
Monday, August 8th, 2016 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments
In the Southwest Virginia city of Norton, Appalachian Voices is supporting a project that would enhance recreation along the Guest River and clean up an abandoned coal tipple that is both an eyesore and a source of pollution. [
Read More ]
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
The rushed introduction, concurrence and signing of North Carolina House Bill 630 puts at risk many aspects of the progress that residents and environmental groups have made since the introduction of the Coal Ash Management Act in 2014. [
Read More ]
