Written by Elizabeth E. Payne

AVMountainBorder-frontporch1

Elizabeth E. Payne

A native of Boone, N.C., Lee earned degrees in archaeology and ancient history at Brown University and Boston University, and received a Ph.D. in Near Eastern languages and civilizations from Yale University. She served as our AmeriCorps Communications associate from 2015-16, and as our Communications Associate from 2016-2017.

Bill Aims to Boost Local Appalachian Economies

The RECLAIM Act, introduced in early February by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), would accelerate the release of $1 billion from the Abandoned Mine Lands Fund over the next five years and could help revitalize the economics in many areas impacted by coal’s decline.

Read More

New Mine Safety Standards Survive Industry Challenge

Despite challenges from industry groups, a federal court has upheld new mine safety standards that will go into effect on Feb. 1.

Read More

Solar Jobs Overtake Oil and Gas, Coal Mining in China, Methane Leak in California

News briefs from across the energy sector

Read More

Documenting Appalachia

Filmmakers Discuss Their Work in the Region By…

Read More

Wide-Angle: Contemporary Photography

Broadening our view of Appalachia Compiled by Melanie…

Read More

How Congress Controls Regional Spending

The federal appropriations process determines how much funding is allocated to specific agencies, and could have big implications for efforts to protect Appalachian streams from mining and efforts to support a more diverse and sustainable regional economy.

Read More

Land through the Lens

Photographs of Appalachia’s wild wonders have shaped our…

Read More

Welcome to New Staff

Leigh Kirchner, Development Coordinator Join us in welcoming…

Read More

Rallying Against Climate Change

In October, we worked with our community partners…

Read More

Former Coal Executive Guilty of Conspiracy to Violate Mine Safety

Don Blankenship was convicted of conspiracy to violate federal mine safety standards, following an investigation into the causes of the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion that killed 29 miners.

Read More