Reform of Virginia’s renewable energy law was in the spotlight on both sides of the political spectrum in the General Assembly this year. In the end, only a few adjustments were made to the law, none of which encourage the…
Blog Archives
Renewed Resolve: Pushing for Energy Reform in Virginia
TAGS: appalachia Appalachian Voices Coal Economy Electric Utilities Energy Efficiency Politics Renewable Energy Virginia
Help Protect Kentucky’s Fish from Toxic Selenium
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet is currently attempting to significantly weaken the state’s water quality standards for selenium. Selenium is a pollutant common at some coal mines that deforms and kills aquatic life. It bioaccumulates, increasing in concentration as…
TAGS: Appalachian Water Watch Clean Water Act Coal Coal Ash Kentuckians for the Commonwealth Kentucky Mountaintop Removal Politics Selenium Water Water Pollution
Virginia Transportation Board OKs Coalfields Expressway Project
Yesterday, Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board approved a four-lane divided highway that will flatten steep mountain ridges in southwest Virginia along a route proposed by Alpha Natural Resources — the largest coal company operating in Appalachia today. The proposed 26-mile Coalfields…
TAGS: appalachia Appalachian Voices Coal Economy Environment EPA Health Mountaintop Removal Politics Virginia Water Water Pollution
N.C. State Rep. Harrison: Let the EPA Do Its Job
By Davis Wax Editorial assistant, Spring/Summer 2013 What should the role of the states be in protecting human health and the environment? Last Friday, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Economy held a hearing to untangle…
TAGS: Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Coal Ash coal ash ponds Duke Energy EPA hydraulic fracking iLoveMountains Kentucky N.C. Politics North Carolina Politics state environmental policy
“I’m Here Because I Love Mountains:” Watch a speech by Appalachian Voices’ JW Randolph
On Feb. 8, Appalachian Voices Tennessee Director, JW Randolph, spoke to members of the state legislature, the media and the environmental community. Below is a video and the transcript of his speech in support of the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection…
TAGS: appalachia Coal Economy Electric Utilities Environment Health Mountaintop Removal Politics Tennessee Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act Tennessee State legislature TVA Water Pollution
Duke CEO Could Be New Energy Guru || N.C. Round-Up
By Davis Wax Editorial assistant, Spring/Summer 2013 Over the past few weeks there has been a spurt of environmental and energy news in North Carolina and its capital, Raleigh. The developing issues include departing Charlotte-based Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers…
TAGS: ALEC Duke Energy Energy Efficiency Environment Health Jim Rogers N.C. Politics North Carolina Pat McCrory Politics Renewable Energy Renewable Portfolio Standards Wind Power
N.C. Environmental Commissions Under Attack by Senate Bill 10
By Davis Wax Editorial assistant, Spring/Summer 2013 Update: In about 48 hours, with almost no chance for public input, the North Carolina state Senate passed a poorly designed bill to fire all current members from several N.C. advisory boards and…
TAGS: Coal Electric Utilities Environment North Carolina Politics Red White and Water Water Pollution
Turning a Win-Win into a Lose-Lose: Virginia Senate Kills Renewable Energy Bill
Last fall, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli latched on to the idea that Dominion Virginia Power and Appalachian Power did not deserve huge bonuses for buying cheap renewable energy credits without actually building wind and solar projects in Virginia, and…
TAGS: Appalachian Voices Economy Electric Utilities Energy Efficiency Mountaintop Removal Politics Renewable Energy Virginia
The New Faces and Issues of North Carolina
THE NEW FACES For the first time since 1870, the Republican party controls both the executive and legislative branches in North Carolina government. With the General Assembly sporting veto-proof majorities in both its chambers, and Pat McCrory’s election making him…
Time to End Corporate Welfare for King Coal in Virginia
Virginia taxpayers have been boosting profits for the coal industry with tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks every year. That’s not big news – but what’s astounding is that, due to the structure of the subsidies, the Commonwealth…
