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.
New River Light and Power wants to further penalize solar customers
Appalachian Voices submitted comments to the North Carolina Utilities Commission today as part of its intervention in the commission’s avoided cost proceeding opposing New River Light and Power’s request to add an $8.95 monthly “administrative” fee to the bills of its solar customers.
In yet another significant blow to MVP, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signals stream crossing permit will be indefinitely delayed
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org Morgan Caplan,…
With federal infrastructure money on the way, advocates release recommendations for most effective abandoned mine lands investments
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org Trey Pollard,…
Fourth Circuit Invalidates Decision in Endangered Species Act Case, Further Delaying MVP
Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit invalidated the biological opinion and incidental take statement issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The Court’s decision means that construction should not move forward along the 304-mile pipeline route.
Environmental groups seek to defend Virginia’s denial of air permit for MVP in court
Richmond, VA — The Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices, represented by Appalachian Mountain Advocates, moved to intervene in a lawsuit to help defend the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board’s denial of an air permit for the proposed Lambert Compressor station. If built, the station would connect the beleaguered Mountain Valley Pipeline to the proposed “Southgate” extension into North Carolina. The conservation groups filed the motion in response to a lawsuit by the Mountain Valley Pipeline that seeks to reverse the board’s decision.
Future of Mountain Valley Pipeline called into question as fracked gas project receives another crucial setback from Fourth Circuit
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org Morgan Caplan,…
Advocates applaud introduction of Rep. Scott & Adams’ 10-year extension of excise tax for Black Lung Disability Trust Fund
Today, Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2022 to extend the Coal Excise Tax for 10 years, with original cosponsors Rep. John Yarmuth (KY-3) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-12).
Member-owners join together to support transparency and governance reforms for Virginia’s rural electric cooperatives
Richmond, Va. — A coalition representing member-owners of Virginia’s rural electric cooperative (RECs) is rallying in support of Del. Wendy Gooditis’ legislation that seeks to establish protections and safeguards for customers (member-owners) of the thirteen rural electric cooperatives in the state. These reforms would include allowing member-owners to observe board meetings, voter integrity measures for cooperative board elections, and transparency in cooperative political lobbying.
Black Lung Association and 68 organizations demand urgent action from Congress to extend Black Lung Excise Tax
CONTACT: Dan Radmacher, dan@appvoices.org, (540) 798-6683 Trey Pollard,…
New report explains why West Virginia needs the Black Lung Excise Tax
This morning, advocates for miners with black lung and their families released a new report outlining the critically important impacts of the black lung excise tax and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund in West Virginia. The report comes days after the excise tax rate was slashed due to Congressional inaction, gutting funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund that supports benefits for thousands of miners in West Virginia.