Written by Kevin Ridder
Kevin Ridder
Born in Arizona and raised in Tennessee, Kevin’s love of the mountains drove him to move even further east to Boone, N.C., where he serves as The Appalachian Voice's Associate Editor and a communications associate for the organization.
Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Latest Challenges: Water-crossing Permits and Compressor Station Hearing
The long-contested MVP faces new delays due to water-crossing permits. Bills that would give Virginia more authority to protect water quality from pipelines are advancing in the state legislature. As the commonwealth considers a compressor station for MVP Southgate, developers of the canceled Atlantic Coast Pipeline begin the restoration process.
Building Community Internet in the Clearfork Valley
The Southern Connected Communities Project is working to bring high-speed internet to Clairfield, Tenn., and other underserved rural areas.
New Preserve on Pine Mountain Connects Protected Areas
The Kentucky Natural Lands Trust established the Warbler Ridge Preserve in December, forming a nearly 2,500-acre protected area on Pine Mountain.
Cooperative Connectivity: Some Electric Co-ops Aim to Meet the Broadband Challenge
Nearly a quarter of rural Americans don’t have access to reliable high-speed internet. Powell Valley Electric Cooperative and others are working to change this.
Virginia Resident Finally Finds Relief From Coal Truck Dust
After a resident unsuccessfully sought aid from Virginia officials for two years to address constant dust from passing coal trucks, one reporter’s questions motivated the company to take action.
Southwest Virginia schools and local governments call for fair solar policies
Several public entities in the region are urging Appalachian Power Company to loosen their restrictive solar policies. On the sunnier side, Appalachian Voices and Iron Works Cycling secured a $25,000 grant for a solar array on the Big Stone Gap, Va., bicycle shop.
The Appalachian Pipeline Resistance Movement: “We’re Not Going Away”
Residents along the paths of the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines have made it clear that fracked-gas projects are not welcome.
Mountain Valley Pipeline Construction Partially Resumes
A federal court halted work at nearly 1,000 stream crossings in Virginia and West Virginia one week after federal regulators allowed construction to resume on most of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Duke Energy Rate Hike Decision Expected in December
If approved, the rate increase could disproportionately impact low-income households in North Carolina.
Saving Appalachian Species
The Endangered Species Act plays a crucial role in protecting our region’s wealth of biodiversity — but this bedrock environmental law is under attack.
