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Moving Our Energy Policy Forward
Appalachian Voices’ Director of Programs Matt Wasson addresses a live and online audience about mountaintop removal and coal waste. Tennessee Director JW Randolph and D.C. Director Kate Rooth greet EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson at the DNC. Last night, it was great to see our Director of Programs Matt Wasson, our good friend from Tennessee, Ann…
Read MoreDNC Dispatch: Key political players attend App Voices party
Greetings from the DNC! We had an absolutely fantastic evening at our “Bourbon, Bluegrass and a Better Future for Appalachia” reception in the heart of the convention area in uptown Charlotte yesterday. A full house joined us to celebrate our work protecting the environment and communities of Appalachia. Van Jones speaks to a crowd of…
Read MoreTen Years In, the Clean Smokestacks Act Continues to Benefit Us All
Right now, members of Congress are at home hearing from their constituents about the issues they most care about. In this spirit, we joined residents of North Carolina working on water issues to visit the Charlotte office Sen. Kay Hagan. It was exciting to be in the Queen City, as it gears up for the…
Read MoreSpeaking Truth to Power: Appalachian Voices at the DNC
From the halls of Congress to small churches and community centers, Appalachian Voices has worked for years to make mountaintop removal an issue of national importance and awareness. Our members, volunteers and staff understand the importance of speaking truth to power with one strong collective voice. This is why next week we will travel to…
Read MoreA One-Two Punch in the Fight for Clean Water
It has been a week of good news in the fight for stronger protections against coal ash pollution. A court settlement in South Carolina and a major decision regarding the 2008 TVA Kingston coal ash spill make for a one-two punch against the poorly regulated toxic waste. This morning, a federal court ruled that the…
Read MoreA Summer of Resistance: Civil Disobedience and the Barriers to Progress
Photos of RAMPS’ “Mountain Mobilization” courtesy of documentary photographer Mark Schmerling. On July 28, an action planned and carried out by RAMPS — or Radical Action for Mountain Peoples’ Survival, a group based in West Virginia — led a large group of mostly young protesters to march up the entrance of the Hobet surface mine…
Read MoreAnother Setback for the Much Needed Cross-State Pollution Rule
A critical clean air rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which would help provide cleaner air for an estimated 240 million Americans — including Appalachians — was dealt a setback today by the U.S. Court of Appeals which rejected the rule 2-to-1. Finalized in August 2011, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule would help prevent…
Read MoreCalendar August/September
Floyd Country Store Traditional Appalachian Music Thurs.-Sat. throughout summer: The Floyd Country Store, home of the Friday night Jamboree, hosts regional Appalachian music Thursdays through Sunday. Visit: floydcountrystore.com Holler in the Holler 2012 Aug. 10-12: An annual music and arts festival in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Enjoy a variety of music from bluegrass…
Read MoreODEC Puts Coal Plant on Ice
Wise Energy for Virginia For Immediate Release – August 9, 2012 ODEC Puts Plans for Coal Plant On Ice Clean energy groups rejoice but vow to stay vigilant ——————————————————————- Contact: Mike McCoy, Appalachian Voices (434) 293-6373 Beth Kemler, Chesapeake Climate Action Network (804) 335-0915 Glen Besa, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter (804) 387-6001 Cale Jaffe, Southern…
Read MoreChanging Winds on Air Pollution Standards
By Molly Moore Back in December, environmental advocates cheered the arrival of the EPA’s long-awaited Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which will limit the amount of mercury, arsenic, selenium, cyanide and other toxins released by new power plants. The agency estimates the rule will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks…
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