Written by Dan Radmacher
Dan Radmacher
Dan is Appalachian Voice's Media Specialist. Previously, he worked as an opinion journalist for newspapers in Illinois, West Virginia, Florida and Virginia, and then as a communications consultant for a number of environmental nonprofit organizations.
Coal miners head to the Hill, calling for black lung protections and disability benefit improvements
Next week, coal miners and their families, doctors, attorneys and supporters are traveling to the nation’s capitol to meet with senators and representatives to advocate for improving black lung benefits and protections.
Groups sue TVA over Clean Air Act violations at Kingston site
On Thursday, the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club, sued the Tennessee Valley Authority for violating the Clean Air Act and putting public health at risk by building its new Kingston Gas Plant, which TVA plans to operate alongside its 70-year-old Kingston Coal Plant, before receiving the required air permit or evaluating the impacts of the two plants’ combined emissions.
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.
Southwest Virginia community solar discussion happening on Oct. 1
The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia will be hosting a community discussion about solar energy in Virginia’s coalfields during its fall meeting on Oct. 1.
TVA sued for violating federal Clean Air Act at its Cumberland Fossil Plant
This week, the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club, sued the Tennessee Valley Authority over the utility’s failure to take federally required steps to protect Middle Tennessee communities from the harmful air pollution impacts of running its Cumberland coal plant alongside its newly built Cumberland Gas Plant.
Court rules TVA’s decision to build Kingston Gas Plant broke the law
In a win for communities across the Tennessee Valley, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee ruled that the Tennessee Valley Authority’s decision to build its massive Kingston Gas Plant had “fundamental” errors that violated federal law.
Davie and Davidson county residents attend Duke Energy open houses to oppose plans for a massive fossil fuel complex along the Yadkin River
Community members from the grassroots groups “Davidson and Davie for a Clean Future” and “Davie Against Data” showed up with bold signs, creative chants and powerful speeches to protest Duke’s plans for a massive fossil fuel complex.
‘Beat the Heat’ block party in Knoxville to call for making utilities more affordable
Appalachian Voices and Knoxville Water and Energy for All will be hosting a “Beat the Heat” block party on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2-6 p.m. as part of our efforts to make utilities more affordable and reduce utility disconnections for vulnerable households.
McDowell County residents sue coal company for clean water
Residents of the city of Gary filed a lawsuit in federal court late yesterday against Taishan Coal LLC and Taishan Resources LLC seeking to force the coal mining and processing company to provide a replacement drinking water source for the community because it has polluted the city’s current water supply.
Groups speak out on data centers, long-term energy plan at TVA’s quarterly board meeting
In addition to approving the yearly budget, the board voted to approve TVA’s final 2026 Integrated Resource Plan and to create a new rate class for data centers. Environmental groups across the Valley, including Appalachian Voices and CleanUpTVA coalition partners, have been working to shape the outcomes on these critical issues.
