Written by Rance Garrison
Rance Garrison
Rance Garrison is an Appalachian Voices Communications Coordinator and Southwest Virginia native who lives and works in Wise County, Virginia. In his spare time, he is a musician, DJ, and writer as well as an avid reader and gamer who enjoys spending time with his wife, dog and cats.
Fighting for breath: Miners and advocates take their plea for stronger black lung protections from the coalfields to the Capitol
Coal miners and advocates rally for long-promised silica protections to stop the rise of black lung across Appalachia.
Southwest Virginia Communities Prepare for Future Storms
The necessity for resilience hubs across Southwest Virginia has become more apparent as the region has repeatedly been hit hard by floods.
Support For Mine Problems in Jeopardy; Groups Challenge South Fork Coal
Energy Report stories about Citizens’ ability to get help with mine problems in jeopardy and groups challenge South Fork Coal’s actions in West Virginia.
Solar energy lights up Southwest Virginia at inaugural SWVA Solar Summit
More than 200 attendees received a wealth of information from various energy, utility and environmental groups.
Solar’s Here to Stay at the YMCA!
Earlier this spring, community members and solar experts gathered to celebrate the opening of the Tazewell Four Seasons YMCA’s new solar array, which was made possible in part by federal clean energy tax credits that are now at risk.
Community improvement projects proceed in Pound as some funding remains uncertain
Community projects in the town of Pound, Virginia are moving forward, as the federal funding that has helped to make some of them possible faces an uncertain future.
Solar Installation Unveiled at Buckhorn Children and Family Services Center in Kentucky
This fall, Buckhorn Children and Family services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new solar installation, which was funded in part by the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund.
Advocates respond to new rule cracking down on coal industry’s abandonment of black lung liabilities
Amid new coal mergers, new Department of Labor…
Revitalizing Pennington Gap: Clean energy and economic investment in Southwest Virginia
As Central Appalachia adapts to a changing modern economy that is less dependent on traditional economic drivers like the coal industry and agriculture, Pennington Gap stands as an inspiring example of what a committed, collaborative approach to economic renewal can achieve.
Building collaborative communities in Southwest Virginia
Last month, the Pennington Gap Community Center buzzed with enthusiasm as the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia hosted its Community Energy Resilience Meeting on Sept. 11.
