Stop Pipelines & Fracked Gas
Photo By Sierra Shamer / Fractracker
Two decades ago, so-called natural gas exploded on the American energy market, pushed by the industry as a supposedly clean “bridge” fuel to transition the economy from dirty coal to renewable sources of electricity generation like solar and wind.
But this gas is far from clean. From the time that it is extracted using a destructive drilling method called fracking, its transport through pipelines, train cars and trucks, to the power plants where it is burned, the dire environmental and human costs of this fossil fuel are now abundantly clear. In particular, this polluting infrastructure is often sited in communities of color, lower-income areas and other environmental justice communities.
Studies show that investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency are on par with, or sometimes more affordable than, building new gas infrastructure. Many states are enacting policies to tap into the rising solar and wind sector. Yet the fossil fuel industry is rushing to build gas pipelines and power plants to squeeze as much profit as possible out of the waning fuel, putting most of the financial risk on customers.
Appalachian Voices is tackling the spread of fracked gas head-on by legally challenging fossil fuel proposals and pushing back against the antiquated policies and rubber-stamping agencies that govern the development of gas infrastructure. We are also partnering with communities in the fight against new fossil fuel infrastructure, providing resources and training to bolster local opposition. And we are pressuring decision-makers to force them to consider the environmental justice impacts to communities threatened by energy development.
And the tide is starting to turn. In July 2020, Duke Energy and Dominion Energy canceled the 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The massive fossil fuel project was riddled with problems, starting with the fundamental fact it was not needed to meet energy demand. Standing beside the many communities and organizations that made this historic victory possible, we’re taking this momentum and applying it toward the fight against other climate-harming boondoggles like the Mountain Valley Pipeline and MVP Southgate.
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.”
Edward Hale, 19th century American author
Become A Voice for Clean Water
From coal ash pollution to runoff from coal mining to fracking and pipelines, the health of our region’s waterways are threatened.
Latest News
Honoring Rep. Grijalva
Appalachian Voices staff is deeply saddened by the passing of U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Throughout his more than 20 years of congressional service, the Arizona representative was committed to not only the communities in his district, but disadvantaged communities across the country, including Appalachians and coal mining communities.
Overwhelming opposition to MVP Southgate submitted to federal agency
On March 11, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission closed an intervention period in the federal docket for the proposed Southgate pipeline project. Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, the developer of the Southgate pipeline, is seeking approval to dramatically alter its original 2018 design, changing the route and increasing the pipe diameter and capacity for the project. Although community members asked for more time for review, only a 21-day intervention period was offered.
D.C. Circuit hears arguments on FERC’s MVP Southgate pipeline approval
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral argument challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to extend the construction deadline for the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate project through Virginia and North Carolina.
UPDATED: Public informational meeting on Feb. 24 to discuss proposed methane gas pipelines
On Thursday, Feb. 20, health and safety advocates will hold a community meeting to discuss multiple methane gas pipeline projects proposed to come to Rockingham County.
Pittsylvania County, Va., is at the center of an overbuilding of fossil fuel infrastructure
Pittsylvania County, Virginia, faces risks from a new gas plant from Balico and extensions of the existing Transco Mountain Valley pipelines.
Williams Companies submits federal application for massive new methane pipeline
Today, pipeline operator Williams Companies submitted a new application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a 42” methane gas pipeline proposed for Virginia and North Carolina.
