Since 1997, Appalachian Voices has advocated for the forests, streams and people of Appalachia. Our goal has been to protect a region whose richness of species is rivaled only by tropical rainforests, but is threatened by an outdated industrial mindset that also imperils the entire planet. 

The outcomes of decisions made over the next few years will strongly influence whether the Southeast -- which now contributes more to climate change than most countries on the planet -- continues its heavy reliance on coal or evolves to meet the energy challenges of the future.

Continuing to augment air and water safeguards throughout the life-cycle of coal is key to maximizing our effectiveness as we pursue the broader objective of protecting the integrity of our region’s land, air, water and communities.

Only with your support can we preserve the health and prosperity of our region and break the cycle of political corruption that reinforces the region’s dependence on coal. Thank you for your generous support!

Willa

Tennessee

From our office in Nashville, our Tennessee team is working to end mountaintop removal in the state by passing the Scenic Vistas Protection Act, moving the TVA away from purchasing Central Appalachian surface-mined coal and increasing job-creating energy efficiency measures. [ Read more about our new Tennessee campaign ]

 

Virginia

In our mission to provide clean energy to the Commonwealth, our Charlottesville team is focusing on defeating the largest proposed coal plant in the state, fighting to protect Ison Rock Ridge from the devastation of mountaintop removal, and working with government officials to shift away from dirty energy and promote energy efficiency and renewables. [ Read more about our Virginia work ]

 

Ending Mountaintop Removal

2012 is an election year, which means that it is more important than ever that people across the nation are demanding an end to mountaintop removal; help us by hosting an event in your hometown or collecting petitions to end mountaintop removal.  [ Read more about our work to end mountaintop removal coal mining ]

 

Appalachian Water Watch

In addition to scrutinizing Clean Water Act compliance throughout Central Appalachia and continuing to support and train the citizen volunteers who monitor their local watersheds, our Water Watch team will continue to pursue Clean Water Act justice in our ongoing cases against three Kentucky coal companies. [ Read more about Appalachian Water Watch ]

 

Red, White and Water

We are hard at work building a movement to ensure that our nation's clean water laws stay strong - this year, we will work to stave off Congressional attacks on these laws, push for strong guidelines on coal ash disposal and storage and ensure that Appalachian states fully implement the new Mercury and Air Toxics Rule. 
[ Read more about our campaign to protect clean water ]