Written by Dan Radmacher

AVMountainBorder-frontporch1

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.

A large group of people gathered outside a civic building at a protest, many holding signs reading “Black Lung Kills,” and “Silica Kills."

Members of Congress introduce two bills to help coal miners access black lung benefits

Today, U.S. senators and representatives introduced two bills to help coal miners with black lung disease apply for medical and disability benefits, while also raising the amount miners with black lung and their families receive in disability benefits each month.

Read More
Community members and advocates at the Davidson County Governmental Center after the Board of Commissioners passed the resolution.

Davidson County Board of Commissioners passes resolution expressing concern on Transco’s SSEP

The Davidson County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution expressing concern around the proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project.

Read More

After hearing, Appalachian Voices says senators should reject controversial TVA board nominee Beaman

“How can any senator take this nomination seriously? The people of the Tennessee Valley deserve better,” said Director of Public Power Campaigns Bri Knisley.

Read More
TVA Listening Session - August 2025 crowd shot

Appalachian Voices applauds introduction of legislation to increase public participation in Tennessee Valley Authority planning process

The TVA Increase Rate of Participation Act proposes changes to increase public participation in the federally owned utility’s integrated resource planning process, while also requiring the utility to take into account certain factors to ensure the plan will result in sustainable, reliable and affordable energy for people in the Tennessee Valley region. 

Read More
TVA banner at a TVA board listening session in 2025

Appalachian Voices urges senators to deny confirmation of Lee Beaman to TVA board 

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing to consider Lee Beaman for the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors. 

Read More
two people sit outdoors with signs: one sign says "black lung kills" and the other says "stand with us: enforce the silica rule"

Trump administration to reconsider black lung protection rule, costing more miners’ lives

The rule should have gone into effect to start protecting workers last April, but in a filing Wednesday, the administration said it is starting a new, “limited” rulemaking.

Read More
Dominion building in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by Jen Lawhorne

Dominion customers to see rate increase, though SCC takes steps to ensure data centers pay fair share

Today, Virginia’s State Corporation Commission issued a final order in Dominion Energy’s rate case. While the commission approved a substantial rate increase, it is significantly lower than what Dominion had requested.

Read More
Members of Friends of Chesterfield pose for a picture outside of the county board of supervisors meeting on April 24, 2024. Photo by Jessica Sims

SCC greenlights proposed Chesterfield gas plant

RICHMOND, Va. — Today after years of public…

Read More
Juhi Modi, North Carolina field coordinator at Appalachian Voices, speaks at the SSEP air permit hearing press conference on Nov. 19. Photo by Jimmy Davidson/Appalachian Voices

Hundreds of residents, advocates speak out against proposed Transco pipeline project

More than 650 residents and advocates have spoken out against Williams Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement project during the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality comment period on its air permit applications.

Read More

North Carolina utilities are spending billions on methane gas infrastructure

Billions of dollars of pipelines, power plants, compressor stations and other methane gas infrastructure are at various stages of development across our state.  We can rise up against this irresponsible surge of new fossil fuels that would increase electric bills while damaging public health and our land, air and water.

Read More