Press Releases
Trump-Vance spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to prop up dying coal industry
At an Oval Office event Thursday, President Trump announced that $700 million in taxpayer money would be spent on keeping existing coal plants running, re-opening a closed coal plant in Maryland, building two new coal plants in West Virginia and Alaska, and constructing a coal export terminal in California.
Read MoreHundreds of residents, grassroots advocates call on North Carolina regulators to deny Duke Energy’s request to raise electric rates
Last night, members of the public and grassroots advocates spoke out against Duke Energy’s request to raise electric rates at a public hearing in front of the North Carolina Utilities Commission and a rally beforehand.
Read MoreHouse appropriations committee rejects amendment to fund West Virginia water needs
An amendment by U.S. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., to fund improvements to drinking water infrastructure in West Virginia failed during an Appropriations Committee meeting.
Read MoreDEP allows coal company to operate strip mining complex, including impacts to national forest, without first obtaining necessary approvals
Today, a coalition of conservation groups submitted a complaint and public comment objecting to a decision by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to grant “advanced approval” to two mining companies that want to take over South Fork Coal Company’s permits for operations near the Monongahela National Forest, including a haul road that illegally runs through part of the forest.
Read MoreCourt ruling protects endangered wildlife nationwide from dangers of coal mining
A federal court ruled that the federal government’s attempts to undercut Endangered Species Act protections for the sake of coal mining were illegal.
Read MoreCommunity and nonprofit groups take Chesterfield fight to Supreme Court of Virginia
Today, on behalf of the Chesterfield County branch of the NAACP, Appalachian Voices and Mothers Out Front, the Southern Environmental Law Center appealed the State Corporation Commission’s approval of a gas plant Dominion has proposed building in Chesterfield County.
Read MoreCommunity advocates celebrate legislation to ensure coal mine cleanup
Advocates from across coal communities celebrated the introduction of three bills today to address the root causes of the “zombie mine” crisis — the increasing number of non-producing, unreclaimed modern-era coal mines.
Read MoreHouse Appropriations Subcommittee declines to fund Southern West Virginia water needs in draft funding bill
Today, the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee released its draft funding bill for Fiscal Year 2027, which did not include $250 million in funding for drinking and wastewater infrastructure improvements in West Virginia.
Read MoreUpcoming Swannanoa event addresses risks to life and property
Western North Carolina residents can learn about landslide, wildfire and flood risks and how to prepare for WNC-specific hazards at a community educational and preparedness event on Saturday, May 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Warren Wilson College.
Read MorePublic meeting on May 28 about proposed Duke Energy gas power plants and Transco gas pipeline
On Thursday, May 28, residents and advocates will hold a community meeting to discuss multiple methane gas projects proposed in Davidson and Davie counties.
Read More