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.

Community Strong project development meetings coming to Dante, Dungannon, Pennington Gap, Pound and Clinchco

Appalachian Voices will be hosting the third listening sessions for the Community Strong initiative in Clinchco, Dante, Dungannon, Pennington Gap and Pound, Virginia, in March and April. Community members are invited to join.

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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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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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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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