Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 | Posted by Thom Kay | No Comments
Congressional representatives have shown little interest over the past few years in talking about mountaintop removal coal mining. They'd rather lambast the EPA and the Obama Administration for any actions to protect Appalachia's people and environment. But today, our program director, Matt Wasson, is testifying before Congress. That means members will hear about higher-than-average cancer rates and other impacts of this abominable coal mining practice.
[ Read More ]Friday, July 18th, 2014 | Posted by Eric Chance | No Comments
Last week a federal judge upheld a previous decision requiring a Virginia coal company to get a permit for their discharges of toxic selenium. [ Read More ]Thursday, July 17th, 2014 | Posted by Matt Wasson | 3 Comments
Duke Energy and its army of lobbyists apparently have convinced N.C. lawmakers that it's just too expensive to clean up all of its leaking coal ash dumps. The company's argument is based on an assumption that it would take 30 years to remove the ash from JUST ONE SITE. "What??" I hear you ask incredulously. So let's take a deeper look at that ... [ Read More ]Tuesday, July 15th, 2014 | Posted by Amy Adams | 2 Comments
Appalachian Voices’ Amy Adams travels to W.Va. for an annual Independence Day event at Kayford Mountain, one of the areas hardest hit by mountaintop removal mining. She joins scores of others in mourning for the mountains lost, but also celebrating the spirit and resolve of those fighting to end the destructive practice. [ Read More ]Tuesday, July 15th, 2014 | Posted by Rory McIlmoil | No Comments
Tapping into Appalachia's vast potential for energy efficiency will help to alleviate poverty and create local jobs while reducing the environmental impact associated with our energy use. In fact, energy efficiency may be the most vital solution to Appalachia’s energy and economic future. [ Read More ]Monday, July 14th, 2014 | Posted by Tom Cormons | No Comments
The Coalfields Expressway as currently proposed is not a classic “road to nowhere” boondoggle, but it is a road to the destruction of mountains, creeks and economic opportunities in Southwest Virginia. So it was a joyous day in June when we learned that, after many years of collaborative effort by Appalachian Voices and partner groups, and the persistence of countless citizens across the region, federal officials had put the brakes on it.
[ Read More ]Friday, July 11th, 2014 | Posted by Thom Kay | 4 Comments
A major ruling in favor of the EPA says the agency has the authority to coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when reviewing permits for mountaintop removal mines. The EPA has the legal authority, scientific evidence, and moral obligation to block every mountaintop removal permit that comes through its doors. We all share the responsibility of making sure it does just that. [ Read More ]Friday, July 11th, 2014 | Posted by Brian Sewell | No Comments
A ruling by U.S. Court of Appeals today is as clear as the science indicting mountaintop removal coal mining, and affirms what advocates working to end the destruction of Appalachian mountains and streams have been saying for years. [ Read More ]Wednesday, July 9th, 2014 | Posted by Matt Wasson | 1 Comment
A study from researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) published this month provides strong new evidence that mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia is devastating downstream fish populations.
Fortunately, the Obama administration has an opportunity to take meaningful action to protect Appalachian streams. [ Read More ]Friday, June 27th, 2014 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
Nick Mullins, a former Va. coal miner, discovers the parallels between New England whalers from two centuries ago and the current conundrum facing Appalachia's coal mining community. Nick and his family are journeying around the east this summer on the "Breaking Clean Tour" to raise public awareness of mountaintop removal mining, and learn about more sustainable paths to prosperity. [ Read More ]Friday, June 27th, 2014 | Posted by Kara Dodson | 2 Comments
The January spill of the coal-processing chemical MCHM in West Virginia poisoned the tap water of some 300,000 people. Stories are now emerging that some of them were inmates at the regional jail who were denied access to ample, clean water. [ Read More ]Thursday, June 26th, 2014 | Posted by | 2 Comments
Mountain Justice Summer Camp, a week-long gathering of Appalachian advocates, celebrated its 10th anniversary this month. Appalachian Voices Grassroots Organizing Intern Chloe Crabtree reflects on the experience and what it means to act. [ Read More ]
