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.
Monthly Archives: December 2016
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!
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.
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.
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.
The Free-Roaming Horses of Eastern Kentucky
Free-roaming horses have found a home on former mine lands in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
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.
TAGS: Appalachian Quilt Trail blue ridge parkway Cherohala Skyway mountain music trail Pie in the Sky Trail Scenic drives skyline drive
Devastating Forest Fires Ignite Southeast
Numerous forest fires burned across the Southeast throughout the autumn. Nearly 120,000 acres of forest burned, and the city of Gatlinburg, Tenn., was badly damaged, with 14 lives lost.
TAGS: Alabama Forest Fires Gatlinburg Georgia Kentucky North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Virginia West Virginia
W.V. Chemical Spill Settlement Reached
A settlement in a class-action lawsuit compensates residents affected by the Jan. 9, 2014, chemical spill at Freedom Industries in Charleston, W.Va., which dumped 7,500 gallons of the coal-washing chemical MCHM into the Elk River.
TAGS: Eastman Chemical Elk River freedom industries MCHM chemical spill West Virginia American Water
