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Groups urge N.C. lawmakers to prevent Duke Energy from gouging customers for grid “improvements”
A joint press release from NC Warn and Appalachian Voices Duke Energy executives are seeking support from North Carolina legislators and others for a highly controversial and twice-failed plan to lock in up to $13 billion in customer rate increases for what critics say are wasteful capital projects. Today, two watchdog groups denounced Duke’s grid…
Read MoreVirginians brace for the fallout from Westmoreland Coal’s bankruptcy
Westmoreland Coal’s bankruptcy puts health benefits for 500 Virginians and pensions for 7,000 former Virginia miners in jeopardy. A bill proposed in the Senate would protect these benefits — and also shore up the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
Read MoreWestmoreland Coal’s Appalachian connection
In October 2018, the oldest coal company in the United States filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While now largely operating in the western United States, Westmoreland has many ties to Southwest Virginia.
Read MoreVigilant Volunteers Monitor Pipeline Construction
Local residents are monitoring pipeline construction along the routes of several major projects. Some people are checking on the health of impacted streams, and others are deploying aerial surveillance.
Read MoreVolunteers Identify Old-Growth Forest
Volunteers with the Old-Growth Forest Network scout out stands of old-growth forest throughout the country to protect the unique forest habitats these trees provide.
Read MoreVirginians Petition For Change at Their Electric Co-op
Rappahannock Electric’s attempt to block members’ efforts to bring reform amendments to the ballot has sparked a legal dispute. All other Virginia electric co-ops have joined Rappahannock in opposing the members’ push for transparency.
Read MoreDocumenting Environmental Changes
Citizen scientists use a mobile app to monitor seasonal life cycle phases of plants and animals along the Appalachian Trail, and use drones to monitor the habitats of Eastern hellbender salamanders.
Read MoreCanaan Valley Cancels Plans for Commercial Logging
The manager of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge cancelled plans to log 20 percent of the area after significant backlash to the proposal.
Read MoreLichen: The Story of a Soil-Maker
Lichen, a symbiotic combination of fungi and algae, has helped create soil for billions of years and serves as an indicator of air quality.
Read MoreCentral Appalachia’s newest coal boss facing bankruptcies
Virginia businessman Tom Clarke’s foray into the coal industry initially looked promising for addressing environmental and community problems. Now, however, his business model is looking questionable.
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