Clean Energy for Virginia
Our Virginia team kicked off 2018 hard at work pushing the state legislature to allow clean, affordable energy to prosper in the commonwealth.
Appalachian Voices fully supports the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia’s efforts to pass H.B. 1252, which would make all tax-exempt entities across the state eligible to leverage the 30 percent federal solar tax credit. This would make it more financially feasible to install solar at 10 of the “solar ambassador” sites identified in the recent Solar Roadmap for Southwest Virginia.
Another bill would allow utilities like Dominion Energy to skirt the state utility commission’s oversight and keep electricity rates artificially inflated. We’re asking legislators to stand up and say “no” to Dominion. Read more about the bill in this issue of The Appalachian Voice and Executive Director Tom Cormons’ thoughts on the matter in his Richmond Times-Dispatch op-ed.
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‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain
A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.
The Washout and Rebuild
For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.
The Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.
‘Foraging Is a Way of Connecting’
Foraging has experienced a modern resurgence, partly because of social media, online groups, the pandemic and people wanting to connect with nature. It also builds community, whether in person or online.
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