Congress included funding for several programs important for Appalachian communities, but failed to include the critical RECLAIM Act.
Blog Archives
More to ‘pumped storage’ than meets the eye
A plan to use defunct coal mines in Southwest Virginia for a hydroelectric facility could be a great idea — provided it uses local workers and locally sited solar energy to run the operation.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml dominon energy economic development hydroelectricity Pumped storage southwest virginia
Going solar in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia
CONTACT: Adam Wells, Appalachian Voices, New Economy Program Manager, 276-679-1691, adam@appvoices.org Matt Wasson, Appalachian Voices, Director of Programs, 828-262-1500, matt@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Director of Communications, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org Wise County, Va. — A group of local leaders from far Southwest Virginia…
TAGS: alternative energy economic development just transition new economy Solar solar workgroup southwest virginia Virginia
Solarize Wise (Va.) running strong with Sigora Solar on board
Contact: Lydia Graves, Solarize Wise Program Coordinator, Lydia@appvoices.org, (276) 679-1691 NOTE TO EDITORS: These photos (here and here) are available to download and print. Caption: Solar thermal hot water system on the roof of the Duffield Regional Jail in Scott…
RECLAIM Act Passes House Natural Resources Committee
The RECLAIM Act would accelerate the cleanup of abandoned mines while spurring economic opportunities in coal communities.
New Growth on Former Coal Mines
Independent farmers and entrepreneurial groups are looking to abandoned mine land sites and seeing potential for agricultural projects, both large and small.
TAGS: Agriculture Coal mining economic development local farming mine reclamation sustainable agriculture
Bill Could Boost Funding to Reclaim Abandoned Mines
If passed, the RECLAIM Act could provide much needed funding to clean up abandoned mine lands and prepare these sites for economically beneficial uses.
Restoring Land for Native Plants, Bees and Streams
A new nonprofit organization, born out of the bankruptcies of Alpha Natural Resources and Patriot Coal, is hoping to bring native forests back to these lands, and restore streams that can support native aquatic life and insects.
TAGS: Appalachian Regional Commission beekeepers Coal mining economic development Mountaintop Removal
You are my sunshine … in Southwest Virginia
Last week we co-hosted the first annual Solar Fair in Wise County along with our partners in the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia — all to showcase the economic benefits of energy from the sun.
D.C. sends a ray of hope to Southwest Virginia
Through the dark clouds of the Trump administration’s agenda for rolling back or killing off programs critical to the health of Appalachian communities and the environment, a bright spot has emerged — $10 million for repurposing old coal mines in Southwest Virginia for new economic opportunities.
