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Hail to the Chief — Lenny Kohm, 1939-2014
Monday, September 29th, 2014 | Posted by Jamie Goodman | 5 Comments
A huge win: Gainesville enacts policy to stop using mountaintop removal coal
Monday, September 29th, 2014 | Posted by Matt Wasson | 3 Comments
Because of the heroic efforts of a group of citizens, Gainesville, Fla., became the first city in America to enact a policy to reduce its reliance on mountaintop removal coal. This victory was the culmination of three and a half years of work that included five hearings by the city commission, hundreds of hours of volunteer work and dozens of meetings with city commissioners.
[ Read More ]The People’s Climate March: Hope makes a comeback
Saturday, September 27th, 2014 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Approximately 100 students from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., traveled to New York for the People's Climate March. They joined thousands of other students and passionate youth from across the country who are eager to roll up their sleeves and build a better future. In this post, Maggie Cozens, an Appalachian Voices intern, shares her perspective after participating in the march. [ Read More ]We Made History! Highlights from the People’s Climate March
Thursday, September 25th, 2014 | Posted by Kate Boyle | 1 Comment
Last weekend, Appalachian Voices joined 400,000 people in New York City for the largest climate march in history. And it was truly inspiring. While massive extractive fossil fuel interests try everything in their power to tighten their grip on our region’s energy future, it’s moments like these that show we are making progress. [ Read More ]Hundreds of North Carolinians attend final fracking hearing
Monday, September 22nd, 2014 | Posted by Sarah Kellogg | 1 Comment
Earlier this month, concerned citizens gathered in Cullowhee, N.C., for the fourth and final hearing on rules drafted to regulate hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the state. Throughout the series of hearings that began last month, it has been clear that North Carolinians overwhelmingly oppose the practice, and if the state's rush to begin fracking can't be completely stopped, the regulations must be stronger. [ Read More ]Energy efficiency at the forefront of cooperative principles in Tennessee
Wednesday, September 17th, 2014 | Posted by Rory McIlmoil | No Comments
Through concerted outreach to East Tennessee electric co-ops and local stakeholders, Appalachian Voices played a key part in making a recent statewide energy efficiency retreat happen. We're excited by the prospect of a statewide energy efficiency financing program in Tennessee, and we remain committed by doing everything we can to see it become successful in the near future. [ Read More ]Successful Rally at the White House Council on Environmental Quality
Monday, September 15th, 2014 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
Last week, Appalachian citizens and allies from across the country rallied at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Dana Kuhnline, media coordinator for The Alliance for Appalachia, writes that residents are tired of waiting for the administration to act on promises it made in 2009 and are ready for a just transition to an economy beyond mountaintop removal and other destructive coal practices. [ Read More ]Advocating for a fair Internet, for all
Wednesday, September 10th, 2014 | Posted by Brian Sewell | 2 Comments
If you find yourself staring at spinning wheels on some of your favorite sites today, take a moment to imagine what an unfair internet would look like. Because if an open Internet is not maintained, the future could hold significant challenges for advocacy groups of all types, independent journalism, entrepreneurs and anyone who uses the web as a resource to learn or communicate about issues close to their heart. [ Read More ]Updates: Stopping the “Tax on the Sun” in Virginia
Tuesday, September 9th, 2014 | Posted by Hannah Wiegard | 4 Comments
As the comment period concludes on Appalachian Power Company’s proposed solar “stand-by” charge and next week's formal regulatory hearing nears, we’re at full swing in a major push for solar freedom in Virginia. There is still time to take action to protect affordable clean energy options for customers. [ Read More ]About gray matter: One artist’s experience with the health impacts of coal ash
Friday, September 5th, 2014 | Posted by Guest Contributor | 3 Comments
Residents of the Belews Creek community of Stokes County, N.C., have been speaking out about the serious health threat from the nearby massive coal ash pit, which is the largest in the state. Artist Caroline Armijo, who has seen too many of her friends and neighbors die from cancer, is one of them. [ Read More ]To tell the truth
Friday, August 22nd, 2014 | Posted by Tom Cormons | 6 Comments
Last month, our director of programs, Matt Wasson, testified before Congress about the perils of mountaintop removal and coal ash pollution, and the failure of some state agencies to protect communities from pollution. While Matt had a rare opportunity to provide a reality check for elected leaders, it’s the people in coal-impacted communities who know this reality better than anyone.
[ Read More ]Carl Shoupe: Seeing through the “War on Coal” smokescreen
Thursday, August 21st, 2014 | Posted by Guest Contributor | 3 Comments
"Instead of raging about a made-up war on coal and how to protect coal corporations, Congress should take a closer look at how to really support coal communities," Kentuckians For The Commonwealth member and retired miner Carl Shoupe writes. [ Read More ]
