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.

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

Conservationists declare intent to sue Aurevo Resources for illegally releasing mining pollution into the Cherry River

Today, a coalition of conservation groups gave Aurevo Resources notice of its intent to sue over the mining company’s violations of the Clean Water Act and mining regulations.

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Virginia budget proposals fail to address data center threats

Today, Appalachian Voices, along with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Southern Environmental Law Center, released a statement in response to recent budget proposals from the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate.

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Downtown Pennington Gap, Virginia

Pennington Gap residents invited to meeting to review designs for Cas Walker site

Pennington Gap officials will unveil design drafts for transforming the site of the former Cas Walker grocery store into a green space that helps protect the community from flooding. They will seek community input at a June 25 meeting hosted by Appalachian Voices.

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Muddy water surrounds vehicles along with piled up debris.

Woodfin, N.C., meeting to focus on protection from landslide, wildfire and flood risks

A “Know Your Risks” event on June 27 will help Buncombe County, North Carolina, residents learn about hazards from landslides, wildfires and floods — and how they can better prepare for potential impacts with adaptation strategies designed to protect their homes, property and families.

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Mobile billboards to urge lawmakers to support clean energy for data centers

Mobile billboards will be out in Richmond on June 16 and 18 to help spread the message that, whatever lawmakers decide to do about tax breaks for data centers, they should make sure that the power-hungry facilities use clean energy.

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man on roof installing a solar panel

Abingdon, Va., retiree community to host ribbon-cutting for solar installation

Elderspirit, a diverse, mixed-income community of about 45 retirees and other older adults, is hosting a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the completion of a solar installation that will save residents more than half a million dollars in electricity costs over the project’s lifetime.

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An excavator sits on a road in the Monongahela National Forest. Photo by Willie Dodson

Environmental groups put Clearco on notice of intent to sue over illegal coal haul road through the Monongahela National Forest

Today, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club sent a 60-day notice of intent to sue Clearco Processing Corporation for conducting unauthorized surface mining-related activities in the Monongahela National Forest in violation of federal and state laws.

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Trump-Vance spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to prop up dying coal industry

At an Oval Office event Thursday, President Trump announced that $700 million in taxpayer money would be spent on keeping existing coal plants running, re-opening a closed coal plant in Maryland, building two new coal plants in West Virginia and Alaska, and constructing a coal export terminal in California.

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Hundreds of residents, grassroots advocates call on North Carolina regulators to deny Duke Energy’s request to raise electric rates

Last night, members of the public and grassroots advocates spoke out against Duke Energy’s request to raise electric rates at a public hearing in front of the North Carolina Utilities Commission and a rally beforehand.

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House appropriations committee rejects amendment to fund West Virginia water needs 

An amendment by U.S. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., to fund improvements to drinking water infrastructure in West Virginia failed during an Appropriations Committee meeting.

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