December 2016 / January 2017

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Other Top Stories

Following Cherokee Footpaths

Hundreds of years ago, before interstate highways drove through the mountains, a network of trails winding around the Southern Appalachians served as the arteries of the sovereign Cherokee nation.

Public Pushback Against Appalachian Natural Gas Pipelines

Community members from across Appalachia are joining together to fight the construction of the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines, but critics cite flaws with the ongoing environmental review process.

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Reclaiming Mined Mountains to Beneficial Use

More than one million acres across Appalachia have been disturbed by surface coal mining. These formerly mined lands offer many challenges, but could also become focal points for economic development and reforestation.

Appalachians Against The Dakota Access Pipeline

Across Appalachia, communities are supporting the indigenous-led resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline, a partially constructed crude oil pipeline stretching 1,100 miles across North and South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.

Adult Life Expectancy change from 1997-2007 showing a half year to a full year decrease in life expectancy for adults living in areas with mountaintop removal mining

Traveling The Crooked Road

Along its 330-mile route, The Crooked Road in Southwest Virginia connects visitors with the sounds of America’s roots music and demonstrates how a region can leverage its cultural assets to develop a new economy.

Driving Trails of Appalachia

Take a day or a week to discover Appalachia along one of the region’s many driving trails.

Buckingham’s Battle: Residents oppose proposed gas compressor station

A proposed natural gas compressor station in Buckingham County, Va., would keep gas moving through the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. But many nearby residents are opposed to the industrial facility because it would cause pollution and noise and devalue nearby properties.

Dec 2016 / Jan 2017 - Columns

This Green House

Electric Cooperatives Initiate Community Solar Projects

Electric cooperatives in Virginia and Tennessee have launched community solar projects to help members save money while reducing carbon emissions.

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Naturalist's Notebook

Ponies of the Grayson Highlands

The wild ponies of Grayson Highlands State Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Southwest Virginia attract hikers of all ages — but take heed, don’t feed the ponies!

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Member Spotlight

Daylight Savings Challenge

For the Daylight Savings Challenge, our Energy Savings team partnered with student volunteers from Appalachian State University to distribute almost 100 energy efficient LED light bulbs to six seniors across Watauga County, N.C.

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Politics

Trump’s Would-Be Coal Comeback Faces Long Odds

President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his support of the coal industry. Less clear is how he will attempt to revive the struggling sector — or how he will confront the collateral damage to human health, the environment and the climate that could result.

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