As we take stock of this month’s election results, we want you to know that Appalachian Voices will be entering 2025 as the strongest and most effective force we’ve ever been fighting for the land, water, air, communities and future of the Appalachian region. With the ongoing commitment of our partners and supporters going forward, we can—and must—continue to take our work to the next level.

We could not be more determined to hold onto the progress we’ve made—and the momentum we’ve built—toward a positive future for our children built on clean energy and sustainable local economies. And we could not be more committed to the defense of our priceless natural heritage against those who would despoil and exploit it for private gain.

I find it so important in this moment to remember how we have been a powerful, effective force fighting to protect Appalachia and advance healthy, sustainable communities under an extremely wide variety of state and federal political conditions over more than a quarter century. It was in the years between 2016 and 2020 that we launched efforts to unleash and promote renewable energy as an economic driver in coal country—work that has led to public schools, businesses, nonprofits and government buildings across the region being powered by solar installed by local crews and apprentices. And it was in 2020 that we clinched our victory against the multibillion dollar Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

In the years since, we have made utterly unprecedented gains bringing federal and state investment in renewable energy and in sustainable local economies to communities committed to building a better future together. We have scored victories for clean energy and electricity customers at the state level, and for local air quality and miners suffering from black lung disease. At the same time, we are fighting the largest proposed buildout of fracked-gas power plants and pipelines anywhere in the country. This work is going to get harder.

If there is one overarching theme about our approach that jumps out for me at a time like this, it is how incredibly effective it is to work strategically with diverse coalitions that represent the depth, breadth, and energy of the people power we can collectively bring to bear for positive change. When you’re in an uphill battle against special interests or deeply embedded assumptions, bringing people together around their common values and interests has proven again and again to be the only way to win.

This understanding drives us with a sense of purpose and conviction that we feel deeply and immediately in this moment.

Our hardest work lies ahead, and we are eager to take it on with your support.

Sincerely,

Tom