Blog Archives

Reviving North Tazewell, Va. — A Community’s Vision for East Riverside Drive

Community members meet during the North Tazewell listening session

We recently co-hosted a gathering with residents of North Tazewell, Virginia, to discuss options for revitalizing a once-thriving center of commerce in their town, the East Riverside Drive area. Residents and local advocates shared illuminating ideas!

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Covid’s impact on coal sharpens the pandemic’s economic hardships

Empty train cars along a mountain road

Even before the pandemic, a growing number of coal companies were declaring bankruptcy — and now the decades-long decline of coal is in a nosedive. This will leave already-shortchanged coalfield communities even less money to deal with decades of damage to people’s health and the environment.

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Hemp and Medical Cannabis Make Joint Gains

WV-hemp

Industrial hemp could soon be legalized nationally under the 2018 Farm Bill, and Virginia could soon have up to five medical cannabis oil dispensaries in the state.

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TVA’s “New Pricing Paradigm” is a bad deal for communities and clean energy

Appalachian Voices attended TVA’s February board meeting to oppose rate reforms that would burden on low-income residents and thwart future investments in clean energy.

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N.C. regulators shift coal ash cleanup costs to ratepayers

The North Carolina Utilities Commission signed off on a rate hike proposed by Duke Energy, effectively shifting the cost burden of cleaning up coal ash onto many families who are already struggling to stay afloat.

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High winter energy bills got you down?

Thousands of families see their energy costs skyrocket in winter, leaving many struggling to pay their bills. Here’s a basic overview of electric bills and how energy use translates to the balance you see on your bill.

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A historic step backward

The Clean Power Plan represented a historic if modest step toward curbing carbon pollution and accelerating the transition to cleaner energy nationwide. Repealing the rule is a historic step backward.

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The National Mining Association doesn’t speak for coal communities

The National Mining Association shrugged when a review of research linking mountaintop removal to human health impacts was halted. But the NMA does not speak for coal communities.

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RECLAIM Act Passes House Natural Resources Committee

Looney Ridge

The RECLAIM Act would accelerate the cleanup of abandoned mines while spurring economic opportunities in coal communities.

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Cutting carbon pollution in Virginia: Governor McAuliffe should finish what he started

In his final year in office, Governor McAuliffe can cement a powerful legacy on climate and the economy by leading the way on environmental protection and climate action.

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