Written by AV's Intern Team

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AV's Intern Team

Every year, Appalachian Voices is fortunate to assemble a phenomenal team of rockstar interns from numerous Appalachian and East Coast universities. Enjoy these posts from our interns.

New report shows alarming lack of mine cleanup progress in Kentucky

A recent study found that nearly 40% of the “active” surface permits in Kentucky have been sitting idle for the last five years. The coal companies responsible for those mine permits did not produce any coal, nor did they make any progress in cleaning up the sites.

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A man in a white shirt with his back to the camera uses a flexible tube to blow insulation into an attic.

How Home Repairs Enable Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Funding for a Virginia program that helps low-income residents repair their homes and receive energy-efficiency upgrades is at risk.

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What Can the New Clean Energy Programs Do For You?

Our guide breaks down what the new clean energy programs can do for your home, business and community.

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A waterfall cascades over rocks down a forested hillside.

Special Sections Along the Appalachian Trail

We asked folks which sections of the Appalachian Trail are their favorites, and here’s what we found!

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An aerial photo looks down on a white, rectangular building with solar panels on its rooftop. A pink sign on the side of the building bears the name Annie's Frugal Finery.

REAP Benefits Farmers, Small Businesses and the Climate

Farmers and small businesses are reaping clean energy and cost-saving benefits from the Rural Energy for America Program.

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Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest Plan Finalized

Conservation groups raise concerns for the future of Western North Carolina national forests following the announcement of an updated forest management plan.

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bat head and wings

Northern Long-Eared Bats Added to Endangered Species List

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently classified northern long-eared bats as endangered, which could help save the species most impacted by the deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.

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Carbon removal on reforested mine lands: One nature-based solution for two deep challenges

Imagine a landscape that, 10 years ago, was a moonscape mountaintop removal coal mine and is now carefully managed as a large-scale working forest growing trees to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and combat climate change. Appalachian Voices is exploring making this vision a reality in the years to come through a reforestation project that engages with the emerging carbon offset market.

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aerial view of the Sampson wood pellet plant

Clearing the Air on How Wood Pellet Factories Affect Their Neighbors and the Climate

The wood pellet industry is growing in the American South, but communities near wood pellet plants are seeing damages to air and water quality. As new facility proposals from wood pellet companies like Enviva continue, local residents and regional climate activists are speaking out.

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Woman points to location on a map.

Turning Coal Ash into Art

In Walnut Cove — a community whose history has been tainted by coal ash for decades — The Lilies Project has turned coal ash into art, and is expanding to encompass the town’s story beyond coal ash.

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