The Virginia DMME held the first of three listening sessions to hear Southwest Virginians’ thoughts on how the state can support the region going forward as the coal tax credits expire. Residents can submit comments in person, by mail or online.
The Virginia DMME held the first of three listening sessions to hear Southwest Virginians’ thoughts on how the state can support the region going forward as the coal tax credits expire. Residents can submit comments in person, by mail or online.
In April, people living near coal strip mines testified before a U.S. House subcommittee about how mountaintop removal coal mining has affected their lives and communities.
A federal district court in Virginia confirmed that citizens have the right to accompany mine inspections under federal and state law.
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.
Appalachian Voices joined local residents to protest Duke Energy and Dominion Resources’ annual shareholder meetings, calling on the companies to clean up their coal ash and invest in clear energy alternatives.
Citizen groups in Boyd County, Ky., spearheaded efforts to stop shipment of trash into their landfill from as far away as New Jersey.
In March, the N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality held hearings across the state to solicit stakeholder comments on the cleanup plans for North Carolina’s 33 Duke Energy coal ash impoundments. The state also lifted do-not-drink warnings from households with contaminated wells near coal ash ponds.
Throughout the month of March, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality held a series of public hearings to gather input on cleanup of the state’s nearly 150 tons of coal ash. Our team worked with local residents to drive high attendance and call for stronger cleanup plans.
Virginians gathered for a Day of Action on April 2 to remind Governor McAuliffe of his commitment to cut carbon and focus on renewable energy job creation for the Commonwealth.
Across the region, volunteers from all walks of life are recording when the dogwood blooms and when the warblers arrive. These citizen scientists are compiling observations that help researchers monitor subtle changes in seasonal events, and provide the backbone for extensive projects to track climate change.