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.
Major win for N.C. clean energy advocates
Appalachian Voices was among the many organizations voicing public opposition in North Carolina to a rate-hike bill despite Duke Energy’s money influence in the state legislature.
Wins for opponents of fracked-gas pipelines
Catch up on the latest news in the fight against dangerous fracked-gas pipelines.
The Black Lung Association Responds to the Deadly Disease’s Rise
The Black Lung Association has a storied history of fighting for miners’ rights to occupational healthcare. Today, that fight continues as rates of the disease continue to climb.
Workers Push for Pay After Bankruptcy
After Blackjewel and Revelation Energy declared bankruptcy in July, the companies retroactively withdrew paychecks from their former employees’ bank accounts, triggering a nearly two-month long protest and several court battles.
A Pilot Program’s Uncertain Record
Some projects receiving federal funds for economic development near abandoned mines have strong community support; others, not so much.
North Carolina and Virginia Announce Clean Energy Goals
The governors of North Carolina and Virginia both announced clean energy goals that include full carbon neutrality in the power generation sector by 2050
Pipeline Developers Push Back Against Grassroots Resistance
Legal challenges continue to stall numerous pipelines as Mountain Valley developers continue to push forward on the MVP Southgate project. A tree-sit in Mountain Valley’s path reaches one year.
Pipelines Continue to Face Obstacles
As the Mountain Valley Pipeline continues to cause problems and spark protests, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline faces new legal troubles.
Taking on TVA
Communities are resisting the Tennessee Valley Authority’s frequent cost increases and lack of transparency and clean energy.
Preserving Historic African-American Cemeteries
Communities across the region are working to document and preserve historic African-American cemeteries to keep them from becoming lost to history.
