Dear Members,

Neither wind nor rain nor sleet nor snow has stopped us from from doing the hard work of protecting Appalachian air, water, and land this winter.

Appalachian Voices--together with our partners in the Wise Energy for Virginia coalition--worked to get a bill introduced the VA State Legislature to curb mountaintop removal mining in the Commonwealth. And, our recent analysis of groundwater contamination of North Carolina's coal ash ponds has resulted in the state increasing regulation.

On a more musical note, artists Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore are putting their artistry to work by donating proceeds from the album, Dear Companion, to Appalachian Voices in support of our national campaign to end mountaintop removal mining. Good music with a good cause can warm the coldest winter day.

Thank you for your support in protecting the beauty and biodiversity we are blessed with here in the region.

Warm Regards,

Willa Mays
Executive Director

 

Continuing to Kick Some Serious Coal Ash

Thanks to the work of our Riverkeeper Donna Lisenby, Duke Energy was ordered by North Carolina officials to take greater measures in testing groundwater near coal ash ponds. This mandate comes in the wake of an October report published by Appalachian Voices that found 13 ash ponds owned by Duke and Progress Energies to be leaking toxic waste. The Winston-Salem Journal just published an editorial commending the state for taking "baby steps" in the right direction.

Read more about our work on coal ash in North Carolina, Tennessee and nationally.

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore:
Using Music to Save Mountains

We are excited to announce that recording artists Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore are donating the proceeds of their new album, Dear Companion, to support our online resource and action center on mountaintop removal, iLoveMountains.org.

Listen to a track online, and then grab a copy at your local music store, order online, or donate to Appalachian Voices to receive a CD.

"An Evening with Ben and Daniel" Friday, Feb. 26, Louisville, KY: Join us in Louisville when we host an artists' reception followed by a concert to kick-off the Dear Companion album and tour. It should be a great event! Learn more or order tickets online.

Virginia Rallies in Support of First Ever Stream Saver Bill

For the first time ever, a bill addressing the problem of mountaintop removal has been introduced before the Virginia General Assembly. SB 564, the "Stream Saver Bill", would end the burial of headwater streams with the waste generated from blasting apart mountains for coal. Appalachian Voices and partner groups have been working hard to advance the bill. Appalachian Voices testified about the economic and environmental impacts of mountaintop removal at a hearing on the bill last Thursday. Senators also heard the personal stories from residents directly impacted by mountaintop removal. Over 100 people showed up in support of the bill.

While it will not be voted on this year, the Stream Saver bill has provided an unprecedented opportunity to raise the level of awareness about mountaintop removal in Virginia.

The C-Ville Weekly also ran a story a cover story about Dominon Energy and quoted our Virginia Director, Tom Cormons. Read the article here.

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