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.
More Than 1 Million North Carolinians Face Utility Shutoffs
The last of North Carolina’s moratoriums on utility shutoffs expired in August. While Gov. Roy Cooper allocated $175 million in rent and utility bill assistance, consumer advocates say that it won’t be nearly enough.
The End of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Duke Energy and Dominion Energy canceled the Atlantic Coast Pipeline due to ever-increasing costs and legal battles — and similar hurdles remain for the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Energy Burden in a Pandemic
Many families in Appalachia already struggled with high energy bills — and COVID-19 is making it even worse.
Utilities must suspend service disconnections and waive late fees
Millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They should not have to worry about having their power or water turned off as a result.
Federal negligence allowed coal companies to shrug off their responsibility for black lung benefits
For decades, coal companies ignored a federal requirement to provide enough funds for black lung benefits — and the government let them.
Lawsuits Against Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipelines Ramp Up
Pipeline developers continue to be met with opposition from landowners, environmental groups, legislators and more.
It’s Not Your Imagination — Utilities Are Seeking More Rate Increases
Utilities may be requesting more rate hikes, but more and more legislators are refusing utility money, and communities continue to protest rate hikes.
A Just Transition for Coal Communities
Stakeholders from across the country are collaborating on a path to a better economy for coal-impacted regions.
Virginia Legislature Passes Clean Economy Act
The Clean Economy Act would require Virginia to transition to 100 percent renewable energy and emit no carbon from the power sector by 2050.
Support Grows for Mine Reclamation Bill
Numerous Appalachian coal-bearing communities have passed resolutions calling on federal legislators to pass a bill that would reauthorize a program that funds cleanup of abandoned mine lands.
