Equitable access to affordable water and energy services — fundamental to human well-being and public health — has been a significant though largely unseen problem for decades. Then Covid struck.
Blog Archives
Utility affordability in the time of Coronavirus
TAGS: coronavirus covid electricity energy burden energy democracy moratorium shut offs shutoffs utilities
Bringing energy democracy to Virginia
A series of presentations and workshops on energy democracy is beginning in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Read more about three events we’re holding in November — we hope to see you there!
TAGS: electric bill electricity energy democracy energy democracy tour Energy Efficiency southwest virginia Virginia
Imbalance of Power
Related Stories Intro: Imbalance of Power The Problem with Monopoly Utilities Power Play: Countering Electric Utilities’ Political Influence Seeking Cooperative Change When we think of shared resources, our waterways, forests and air are often the first that come to mind.…
The burden of rural home energy costs
Rural households spend 40% more of their income on energy costs than households in metropolitan areas, according to a new report. Our executive director explains how rural electric cooperatives could help families alleviate that burden through energy efficiency.
Virginia Utilities Release Generation Plans
Appalachian Power Company and Dominion Power released their electric power generation plans this July. While APC released a comprehensive energy generation plan plotting the next 15 years, Dominion released a short-term plan with different options.
Murky Rules Raise Questions About Coal Ash Minefill
By Brian Sewell When FirstEnergy Corporation announced plans last year to close Little Blue Run coal ash pond, a 1,700-acre unlined basin that sits along the banks of the Ohio River, nearby residents were understandably relieved. But not everyone was…
Bill Howley: Making Electricity Local
By Harrison Dreves In 1974, a trip to West Virginia changed the course of Bill Howley’s life. The recent Yale graduate was immediately entranced by the taste of blackberries, the view of receding ridgelines and the smell of Appalachia in…
The Dollars and Sense of Energy Savings
Using electricity wisely is vital for Appalachia, a region that has borne the burdens of our national appetite for cheap energy. Unlocking the Southeast’s vast energy savings potential could be the key to forging a cleaner, greener future. That’s the…
TAGS: electricity Energy Efficiency Energy Savings The Appalachian Voice The Dollars and Sense of Energy Savings
A Case for the Smart Grid
How adding intelligence to an aging system could put control in the consumers’ hands By Davis Wax While we can often take our 21st-century technology for granted, whether it is the next smartphone, laptop or means of digital storage, there…
TAGS: electricity Enegy Saving Energy Efficiency FREEDM Kentucky Roadmap Initiative Smart Grid Technology
Powering with Change
On-bill financing helps low-income co-op members retrofit their homes By Matt Grimley The Great Depression was a time of dust bowls and poverty, but at least cities had electricity. The rural areas had it rough. Citing high development costs and…
