Southwest Virginia native Matthew McFadden is the new Project Coordinator for an initiative to help advance solar energy in the region.
Blog Archives
Virginia officials must begin planning for Wise County, other power plant closures
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, chelsea@appvoices.org, 614-205-6424 Cat McCue, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 Today, the Institute for Energy Economics and Analysis released a report shedding light on Dominion Energy’s costly coal-fired Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise Co, Va., and its likely early…
TAGS: Coal Dominion Energy ieefa Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis just transition southwest virginia Virginia Virginia City Wise County
Iron Works Cycling, Appalachian Voices receive $25,000 grant for solar installation
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager, (276) 207-9636, chelsea@appvoices.org BIG STONE GAP, Va. — Iron Works Cycling and Appalachian Voices have received a grant from the Solar Moonshot Program to install a 16-kilowatt solar energy system on the Big…
TAGS: coalfields Hammond Climate Solutions iron works cycling just transition Left Coast Fund new economy sigora Solar solar moonshot solar workgroup southwest virginia
Covid’s impact on coal sharpens the pandemic’s economic hardships
Even before the pandemic, a growing number of coal companies were declaring bankruptcy — and now the decades-long decline of coal is in a nosedive. This will leave already-shortchanged coalfield communities even less money to deal with decades of damage to people’s health and the environment.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands AML reauthorization Black Lung Disability Trust Fund Coal coal decline coal production covid-19 Economy just transition
Charting paths forward for coal communities
For communities that depended on coal, the pandemic is exacerbating an already-urgent set of interlocking problems. Two regional coalitions have released plans to chart a brighter future for communities hit hardest by the changing coal economy.
TAGS: appalachia coal closures economic development economic justice just transition National Economic Transition new economy reclamation ReImagine Appalachia reinvestment Renewable Energy Workers
Coalition makes catalytic investment in Appalachian coal mine reuse projects
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org 276-679-1691 Norton, Va. – Furthering its commitment to innovative mine reclamation projects throughout the Appalachian region, the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition (RAC) announced its investment in five projects in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Alabama…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands Alabama aml appalachia coal mines just transition Kentucky new economy OSMRE Pennsylvania reclaim
It’s the Senate’s turn to pass the RECLAIM Act
Advocates for mine cleanup and economic development in Appalachia are calling on the U.S. Senate to pass the RECLAIM Act and AML Reauthorization after the two bills passed the U.S. House in early July.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml AML reauthorization appalachia economic development just transition mine reclamation RECLAIM Act
Coal community leaders release historic platform for national economic transition
Built on community-driven solutions by local, tribal and labor leaders, NET Platform pushes for bold investments in national transition program for those hit hardest by changing coal economy CONTACT: Trey Pollard, Just Transition Fund tpollard@justtransitionfund.org 202-904-9187 Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices…
TAGS: appalachia Coal Country Coal mining coal power plants economic development Economic Transition just transition navajo nation new economy wyoming
Southwest Virginia seeks partners for solar development
CONTACT: Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development, adam@appvoices.org, 276-679-1691 Norton, VA — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia today released a Request for Information (RFI) for a “co-development concept” for commercial-scale solar projects throughout the seven-county coalfield…
TAGS: clean energy coalfields just transition new economy Renewable Energy Solar solar workgroup southwest virginia
A Just Transition for Coal Communities
Stakeholders from across the country are collaborating on a path to a better economy for coal-impacted regions.
