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.

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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South Fork Coal Company's Rocky Run Surface Mine cutting a gash into the Yew Mountains above the South Fork Cherry River and the community of Richwood. Photo by Andrew Young/ Southwings

Federal regulators issue notice to DEP for failing to enforce environmental protections at Greenbrier County coal mines

A notice issued by federal coal mining regulators outlines the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s failures to address persistent problems at a set of South Fork Coal Company mines and directs state regulators to address the issues and report back.

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Appalachian Voices celebrates Congress passing year-end victories for Appalachian communities 

Congress passed a stopgap funding measure that includes $100 billion in disaster relief and will keep the federal government open through March 2025. President Joe Biden will sign the funding package into law, along with the bipartisan Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 passed by Congress this week.

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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

REPORTER MEMO: Southeast Supply Enhancement Project

The proposed project is a massive expansion of Transco’s pipeline network of over 1.5 million dekatherms per day of additional gas, and requires approximately 54.9 miles of additional pipe in Virginia and North Carolina in two separate “loops.”

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