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.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves permit for SSEP pipeline
Yesterday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit for the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, an interstate pipeline proposed by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC.
Coalition statement on new Ten Day Notice rule
The Trump administration is weakening a rule that allows communities to seek federal assistance at problematic mine sites.
Rule Change Would Gut the Clean Water Act
A federal rule change will cut protections for wetlands, headwater streams, and rivers that go underground. In Appalachia, this would harm wildlife, damage water quality and increase flood risk.
West Virginians rally for clean water at Capitol
Dozens of West Virginia residents held a rally outside the House of Delegates chamber this morning, demanding that the legislature take action to address the growing clean water crisis affecting the state’s southern coalfields.
Community and nonprofit groups appeal Chesterfield air permit
Today — on behalf of the Chesterfield County branch of the NAACP, CASA Inc., Appalachian Voices and Mothers Out Front — the Southern Environmental Law Center appealed the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s issuance of an air permit allowing Dominion Energy to build and operate a new methane gas plant in Chesterfield County.
Appalachian Voices statement on White House coal actions
President Donald Trump ordered a series of actions this week intended to prop up America’s declining coal industry. Trump announced that the Department of Energy will pay electric utilities $175 million for upgrades to aging coal plants in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. Trump also ordered the Pentagon to buy more coal-generated power, though did not specify where such power might be purchased.
Coal company owned by Sen. Jim Justice releases financial statement contradicting its previous sworn testimony
A recent financial disclosure by A&G Coal Company asserts that the company has substantial positive net assets, contradicting the recent sworn testimony of its general counsel asserting that it was over $9 million in debt and therefore unable to comply with its obligations under a court-approved 2023 settlement agreement.
TVA cuts the public out, keeps expensive and dangerous coal plants operating indefinitely
In a staggering reversal, the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously today to continue operating its Kingston and Cumberland coal plants indefinitely, instead of retiring them as it brings new gas power plants online at the same sites.
Trump administration decision to deny the science of climate change puts communities at increased risk
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will issue a final rule on Thursday attempting to dramatically limit its responsibility to regulate the pollution that causes climate change, which is worsening dangerous flooding events, extreme droughts and heat waves throughout Appalachia and beyond.
Tennessee Valley Authority goes back on commitment to retire dirty coal plants
In an extremely disappointing reversal, the Tennessee Valley Authority announced it is planning to keep its Kingston and Cumberland coal plants operating for the foreseeable future, blowing by its upcoming deadlines to close the polluting facilities.
