Tuesday, June 10th, 2014 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
A recent federal court decision found that conductivity released from mines violated clean water laws. Another case just filed in Virginia challenges the discharge of total dissolved solids from mines in watersheds already damaged by high levels of total dissolved solids. Both cases could result in stronger protections for Central Appalachian streams. [ Read More ]Monday, June 9th, 2014 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
Hundreds of fish were killed after Cumberland County Coal released a chemical into Kentucky's Clover Fork River on May 30. Although the company was cited for polluting the river, fines alone cannot erase the damage done to a community and an ecosystem. [ Read More ]Thursday, June 5th, 2014 | Posted by Brian Sewell | 1 Comment
Four months after a massive coal ash spill devastated the Dan River, and before the state’s coal ash problem is remedied, North Carolina is poised to open a new can of worms. On Wednesday, Gov. Pat McCrory signed the Energy Modernization Act, lifting a moratorium on natural gas drilling in the state. [ Read More ]Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014 | Posted by Cat McCue | 1 Comment
Representatives of Virginia business, national security, health and agricultural sectors joined environmental advocates this week in praising the newly announced carbon pollution limits for existing power plants as necessary public health and security safeguards, and a beneficial economic driver. [ Read More ]Monday, June 2nd, 2014 | Posted by Brian Sewell | No Comments
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy unveiled a plan to regulate carbon pollution from existing power plants this morning. In a rousing speech that covered the host of risks, and opportunities, that come with a changing climate, McCarthy called the plan “part of the ongoing story of energy progress in America." [ Read More ]Sunday, June 1st, 2014 | Posted by Erin Savage | No Comments
The Appalachian Water Watch team is proud to announce the new and improved ace-project.org the website of the Appalachian Citizens Enforcement Project. Upgrades to the website help the efforts of citizen scientists and provide transparency for water quality monitoring processes.
[ Read More ]Friday, May 30th, 2014 | Posted by Molly Moore | No Comments
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to reduce climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions from the nation’s existing power plants are expected to be unveiled on Monday, June 2. For environmental news junkies like us, this is the equivalent of the Super Bowl pre-game show. See what the buzz is about, and read our coverage of the rules in The Appalachian Voice. [ Read More ]Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 | Posted by Rory McIlmoil | 1 Comment
Energy efficiency is merely one strategy that local governments, economic development agencies working with the rural electric co-op or municipal utilities might employ with the goal of diversifying the local economy. But the proven benefits of energy efficiency investments suggest it should be a key focus in any plan for local economic diversification. [ Read More ]Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 | Posted by Guest Contributor | 5 Comments
Guest post by Virginia writer and lawyer Ivy Main:
Appalachian Power Company is seeking permission from utility regulators to impose new “standby” charges on residential customers who install solar systems larger than 10 kilowatts. The fee is included in the company’s latest rate proposal, now before the State Corporation Commission. [ Read More ]Friday, May 16th, 2014 | Posted by Hannah Wiegard | No Comments
Appalachian Voices, our allies and supporters are standing up against the Coalfields Expressway proposal. Recent hearings have provided a opportunities to reach decision makers, and meetings in Lynchburg and Roanoke are still ahead. Join the chorus demanding a proper environmental study before the Coalfields Expressway, a mountaintop removal project masquerading as a highway, goes any further. [ Read More ]Thursday, May 15th, 2014 | Posted by Sarah Kellogg | No Comments
Since the Dan River spill in February, Duke Energy has been under immense public pressure to clean up its toxic coal ash legacy without passing the cost on to their ratepayers. Rather than actually cleaning up its coal ash, however, the company is spending millions to clean up its image by launching a that claims, “We’ll do the right thing with our coal ash.” It's what the "right thing" is that remains contentious. [ Read More ]Thursday, May 15th, 2014 | Posted by Tom Cormons | No Comments
In a few weeks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set to unveil the nation’s first-ever proposal to limit planet-warming carbon pollution from the nation’s existing power plants — the single largest contributor to America’s carbon footprint. This is a critical opportunity to move the needle away from dirty fossil fuels and the destruction they wreak — including mountaintop removal and poisoned water and air — and toward cleaner, more sustainable ways to power our lives.
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