Hydrogen gas as an energy source in Central Appalachia is a real possibility, so we’re unpacking this technology and exploring its potential impact on the health of communities and ecosystems in our region. [ Read More ]
Hydrogen gas — what’s all the hype about?
Friday, May 5th, 2023 | Posted by Emily Piontek | 1 Comment
Not On This Land: Documentary celebrates the community-led fight against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 | Posted by Jessica Sims | No Comments
The two screenings brought together people to celebrate the fight that brought down the behemoth ACP. “Not On This Land: The Fight Against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline,” directed by Christopher Landry, profiles some of the West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina communities who helped defeat the fracked-gas pipeline. [ Read More ]
Governor Youngkin, have you heard? Virginians love RGGI!
Friday, April 28th, 2023 | Posted by Emily Piontek | 13 Comments
Virginians speak up about Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposal to exit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGG limits carbon pollution from power plants at the lowest possible cost while funneling millions of dollars into at-risk communities. [ Read More ]
Mining agency encourages more, better stakeholder engagement for coal-impacted communities
Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 | Posted by Chelsea Barnes | No Comments
For years, the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program has been one of the only federal grant programs targeted at revitalizing coal mining communities. It's now being funded at its highest level to date and is getting a spruce-up from the federal agency that administers it. [ Read More ]
Remembering Harvard Ayers, founder of Appalachian Voices
Friday, March 10th, 2023 | Posted by Matt Wasson | 5 Comments
Harvard Ayers, founder of Appalachian Voices, passed away on March 9, 2023. Ayers was a true visionary and leaves behind a powerful legacy for the people and environment of Appalachia. [ Read More ]
Mountain Valley Pipeline: Risky, ruinous and roadblocked
Friday, March 10th, 2023 | Posted by Jessica Sims | 7 Comments
Nine years after the Mountain Valley Pipeline project was announced, it remains unnecessary and dangerous to the communities, water resources, lands and habitats through which it is routed. [ Read More ]
Wins and losses in the 2023 Virginia General Assembly session
Friday, March 3rd, 2023 | Posted by Dan Radmacher | 2 Comments
Even with the short session, Appalachian Voices’ capitol team had a lot to keep track of, with a number of bills we were hoping to convince legislators to support — and quite a few we were hoping to convince them to vote down. [ Read More ]
Guest post: New SkyTruth research reveals legacy of mountaintop mining — and the policy implications
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
Explosives and heavy equipment: the perfect combination for mine owners to extract coal from a pristine Appalachian landscape. Too bad this process, known as mountaintop removal mining, is terrible if you live near the mined mountain, or in a watershed downstream, or on a planet faced with the imminent threat of ever-increasing temperatures brought about by greenhouse-gas emissions. [ Read More ]
Bad actor coal company seeks to expand surface mine in endangered candy darter habitat
Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 | Posted by Willie Dodson | 1 Comment
Surface mining of this scale is bad news for the environment even if it is conducted within the confines of the law, but South Fork Coal Company’s history of regulatory infractions is almost as egregious as Greenbrier County is beautiful. [ Read More ]
EPA poised to botch update of important air quality rule
Thursday, February 16th, 2023 | Posted by Willie Dodson | 1 Comment
PM 2.5 is a lethal combination of metals, organic matter, acids and other substances so tiny that they can be inhaled and delivered directly into the bloodstream. These airborne pollutants are emitted by tailpipes, power plants and numerous other industries. In our region, coal mine dust is an additional source of this pollutant. [ Read More ]
Five reasons why the Tennessee Valley Authority’s plans for a major gas buildout must be stopped
Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 | Posted by Brianna Knisley | 1 Comment
TVA is currently ignoring federal climate goals for a 100% carbon-free energy sector by 2035 to push forward a plan for the second-largest fossil fuel buildout of any utility in the country. These plans will line the pockets of two mega gas corporations, fuel climate change and devastate southeastern habitat and public health. [ Read More ]
Carbon removal on reforested mine lands: One nature-based solution for two deep challenges
Monday, February 13th, 2023 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
Imagine a landscape that, 10 years ago, was a moonscape mountaintop removal coal mine and is now carefully managed as a large-scale working forest growing trees to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and combat climate change. Appalachian Voices is exploring making this vision a reality in the years to come through a reforestation project that engages with the emerging carbon offset market. [ Read More ]
