Tennessee has become the first state to implement an animal abuse registry, which will make the names of anyone convicted of committing an animal abuse offense publicly available.
Blog Archives
Cougar: Ghost of Appalachia
The Eastern cougar was declared extinct in 2011 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But that doesn’t keep other species of mountain lions from passing through the region, leaving behind blurry pictures and occasional eerie screams in the forest.
Federal Agency Considering Partial Surface Mining Ban in Tennessee
The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is considering a petition from the state of Tennessee to prevent surface coal mining on land within 600 feet of certain ridgelines in a 67,000-acre area north of Knoxville.
Federal agency considers restricting surface mining in Tennessee
Ridgeline corridors across a 67,000-acre area of Tennessee could be protected from surface mining. The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is considering granting the state’s request for a ban. Submit your comment in support of the Cumberland Mountains before Jan. 25!
Faced with Threats to Nolichucky River, Residents Unite
Concerned citizens have joined together to monitor the Nolichucky River in East Tennessee for pollution that could result from a new industrial pipeline. Though the water is still at risk, opposition to the pipeline has spurred community engagement.
TAGS: community organizing conservation industrial pollution North Carolina Rivers Tennessee Water Pollution
Organizing Around the Clean Power Plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the first limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants earlier this year. Known as the Clean Power Plan, the rules give states a wide degree of flexibility to determine how to reduce their…
TAGS: clean power plan community organizing Energy Efficiency fossil fuels North Carolina Renewable Energy Tennessee Virginia
Coal Ash Management Continues to Challenge Region
Legal challenges continue in North Carolina, as new contamination from coal ash is identified in Tennessee.
Understanding the Stream Protection Rule
While the draft Stream Protection Rule is far from perfect, it is a long overdue update to protections for surface and groundwater from mountaintop removal coal mining. Not surprisingly, the coal industry had relied on “war on coal” talking points to fight against the rule, and claims these protections are unnecessary and will undermine an otherwise viable industry. Let’s examine those claims.
TAGS: appalachia Climate change Coal Environment Health Kentucky Mountaintop Removal Politics Stream Protection Rule Tennessee Virginia Water Pollution West Virginia
Follow the leader: A Tennessee electric co-op moves forward
As one rural electric cooperative in Appalachia expands clean energy and technology, other utilities in the region can learn from its example of leadership. Appalachian Electric Cooperative is launching a community solar program, conducting a feasibility study for fiber optic internet and leading the way forward for rural energy efficiency programs in Tennessee.
TAGS: appalachia Appalachian Voices clean energy Electric Utilities Energy Efficiency Solar Energy Tennessee
Vaughn’s Diesel
A Tennessee man has built his own biodiesel fuel processor and now uses cooking oil to run his farm equipment and truck.
