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.

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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Fighting for RGGI and the climate

Communications intern Noah Vickers reports on six climate rallies that recently took place in support of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in Virginia.

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Presence of Needle Ants in the Smoky Mountains Threatens Native Species

Invasive ants in the Smoky Mountains pose a threat to native species in the area.

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Cultivating an Inclusive Future in the Outdoors

A variety of programs, clubs and organizations aim to support inclusive outdoor recreation that centers people of color.

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Final Stage of Blue Grass Chemical Weapons Cleanup Underway

The Blue Grass Chemical-Agent Destruction Pilot Plant began destroying the last type of chemical weapons stored at an Army depot in Kentucky in July with a completion date scheduled for September 2023.

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How places of worship can benefit from switching to solar with the help of the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund

On July 28, Appalachian Voices partnered with the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund, Volt Energy Utility and St. Paul Lutheran Church to present a webinar to specifically encourage places of faith to make the switch to solar energy.

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Groups Unsatisfied with Duke Energy’s NC Carbon Plan

Many North Carolina residents, businesses and environmental groups are calling on the state utilities commission to push for more renewable power, energy efficiency and measures to address affordability in the state’s final carbon reduction plan.

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Marchers rallied support for Virginia's continued participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Photo by Jen Lawhorne

Support shown for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with a “march backwards”

Rallygoers in Richmond opposed Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s efforts to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

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