Friday, May 22nd, 2015 | Posted by Adam Wells | No Comments
Last week's SOAR Summit provided a positive forum for people working to strengthen local economies in Appalachia. But, even with so many who care deeply about the region gathering in one place, there was disappointingly little time or space created for discussion amongst the people who are doing the lion's share of the groundwork in Appalachian communities. [ Read More ]Thursday, May 21st, 2015 | Posted by Brian Sewell | No Comments
The disgust with North Carolina Sen. Bob Rucho today is broad and bipartisan. Yesterday in the Senate finance committee, which he chairs, Rucho not only limited debate on provisions of HB332, which would freeze the state's highly successful Renewable Portfolio Standard, he refused to allow an individual tally of votes and declared a failed bill passed. [ Read More ]Tuesday, May 19th, 2015 | Posted by Brian Sewell | 1 Comment
Duke Energy announced plans today to retire its polluting, uneconomical Asheville coal plant and build a natural gas-fired facility in its place. While the news should be celebrated as progress, it also represents another precarious step along a dangerous road that will prolong our region’s over-reliance on fossil fuels and saddle consumers with long-lived investments in natural gas. [ Read More ]Friday, May 15th, 2015 | Posted by Amy Adams | 1 Comment
When it comes to jobs, pollution, and sustainability, energy from the sun beats energy from fracked gas hands down. So why are N.C. legislators and Duke Energy casting shadows over the state's potential to become #1 in solar? [ Read More ]Thursday, May 7th, 2015 | Posted by Hannah Wiegard | No Comments
Turnout was tremendous at the first of two public hearings where Virginians had a chance to share their stories and environmental concerns about the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline with federal energy regulators. [ Read More ]Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 | Posted by Brian Sewell | 1 Comment
Clean Water for North Carolina and three residents of counties where fracking could occur are challenging the authority of the state to preempt local ordinances offering communities greater protections from the practice. Dozens of North Carolina counties and towns have already passed resolutions calling on the General Assembly to hand over control, while others urge lawmakers to reinstate the ban on fracking altogether.
[ Read More ]Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
Two species of crayfish native to Appalachia are in danger of becoming extinct after years of suffering habitat loss and water quality impacts attributable to mountaintop removal coal mining and other industrial activity. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agency is proposing the species be listed as endangered under federal law. Whether or not they are pushed past the point of no return depends largely on the outcome of a recent proposal by the agency to add them to the federal list of endangered species. [ Read More ]Wednesday, April 29th, 2015 | Posted by Amy Kelly | 1 Comment
Not only can energy efficiency retrofits reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills, they can make a substantial local economic impact. Appalachian Voices is working in the North Carolina High Country to promote and help develop programs that will benefit residents who are suffering from poorly constructed or aging homes, while also raising the market accessibility for companies already working to improve energy efficiency in our region. [ Read More ]Tuesday, April 28th, 2015 | Posted by Brian Sewell | No Comments
Appalachian Voices is committed to creating a forum for citizens' stories and sharing the most up-to-date data available about the ongoing risks the practice poses to Appalachia. Today, we’re sharing a new web tool we developed to reveal how mining continues to encroach on communities and send a resounding message that ending mountaintop removal is a must if we hope to foster economic and environmental health in Appalachia. [ Read More ]Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 | Posted by Sarah Kellogg | 3 Comments
As part of coal ash law enacted in North Carolina last year, Duke Energy is required to test the well water of residents living within 1000 feet of the massive coal ash ponds that dot the state. Now, the first round of water testing results are coming back, giving residents and regulators a clear picture of just how widespread the problem is.
[ Read More ]Friday, April 17th, 2015 | Posted by Jamie Goodman | No Comments
Appalachian Voices would like to welcome Tarence, Ray, our newest member to the team! Serving as our new Central Appalachian Field Coordinator, Tarence will be working in central Appalachia helping expand our Appalachian Water Watch project and working on federal policy to end mountaintop removal coal mining.
[ Read More ]Thursday, April 16th, 2015 | Posted by Adam Wells | 1 Comment
While we here in Appalachia are working overtime to reinvent our economy and outlast the fall of King Coal, you would think that our representatives in Washington, D.C., would be eager to pass measures that send much-needed federal aid to help our hard hit coal-producing counties. But most of the region’s congressmen and senators are staying silent, and those who are going on the record are definitely not stepping up to the plate. [ Read More ]
