Written by Dan Radmacher

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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.

Heavy construction machinery sits beside a hug mound of mining waste.

Abandoned Mine Land cleanup disrupted by federal funding freeze

As the Appalachian region is experiencing intense rainfall this week, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is not processing state requests seeking approval for abandoned mine land reclamation projects according to state agency officials and congressional staff.

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Community Meeting: Pipelines in Rockingham County

UPDATED: Public informational meeting on Feb. 24 to discuss proposed methane gas pipelines

On Thursday, Feb. 20, health and safety advocates will hold a community meeting to discuss multiple methane gas pipeline projects proposed to come to Rockingham County.

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Coal dust and fragments have been documented entering the Clinch River at multiple rail crossings, such as this bridge in Artrip, Virginia. photo from petition filed by Public Justice and Appalachian Mountain Advocates

Thousands urge EPA to regulate coal dust from trains polluting communities and waterways

Appalachian Voices submitted a letter signed by nearly 4,000 individuals urging the Trump administration’s newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Lee Zeldin, to develop new protections from coal dust that blows off of trains, contaminating waterways and posing serious public health risks.

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CANCELED: Community invited to solar power ribbon-cutting and community event at Four Seasons YMCA in Tazewell

The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Secure Solar Futures are hosting a ribbon cutting for the YMCA’s new solar power system with a community event about local solar energy at the Tazewell Four Seasons YMCA on Feb. 20 between 3 and 5 p.m.

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No MVP Southgate darker. Art by Jan Burger

Violation-riddled MVP developer submits request to alter Southgate pipeline

Today, pipeline operator Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC submitted a new amendment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the methane gas pipeline “Southgate,” proposed for Virginia and North Carolina.

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Workers pour concrete to form stairs coming down from the pedestrian bridge from the McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot across Virginia 311. Photo by Dan Radmacher.

UPDATE: Pedestrian bridge opens for McAfee Knob trail crossing

Soon, Appalachian Trail hikers will be able to use a 90-foot-long, steel and concrete pedestrian bridge to move safely over Virginia 311 at McAfee Knob trail crossing.

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North Carolina gas build-out map showing the proposed Transco SSEP and T-15 pipelines, compressors, methane gas plants, and Moriah Energy Center liquified methane gas storage facility. Map by Appalachian Voices

Statement on FERC’s decision to issue an Environmental Analysis for the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project

On Jan. 22, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced it will prepare an Environmental Assessment rather than a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement for the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project pipeline.

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Statement by Appalachian Voices on impact of Trump energy executive orders on rural Appalachia

One of the many executive orders issued by President Donald Trump on his first day in office, “Unleashing American Energy,” ironically would stymie renewable energy growth.

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Trump expected to rescind programs established to support struggling coal and power plant communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 20, 2025 CONTACTDan Radmacher, Appalachian…

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Headshot of Andie Waugh. Photo courtesy of Energy Community AmeriCorps Program.

Appalachian Voices welcomes Andie Waugh as the Stewards Energy Communities VISTA

Appalachian Voices has selected Andie Waugh, a recent North Carolina State University graduate, to serve as the Stewards Individual Placements Energy Communities AmeriCorps Volunteer In Service To America in the role of Solar Project Coordinator.

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