All Posts Archives | Page 37 of 118

White House budget leaves Appalachia in the dust

By Thom Kay | March 21, 2017 |

The White House released its budget blueprint last week, and the proposal is nothing short of a disaster for Appalachia and rural communities across the country. Here’s a look at a few agencies and programs the White House wants to completely eliminate if it had its way.

Congress must act to protect coal miners’ benefits

By Thom Kay | March 10, 2017 |

In a matter of weeks, health care benefits for thousands of retired union coal miners will run out. In just a matter of years, the entire United Mine Workers pension plan, which covers nearly 90,000 former coal miners and their widows, may become insolvent.

FERC’s pipeline review process is broken

By Peter Anderson | February 20, 2017 |

It’s no secret: oil and gas pipelines have captured the nation’s attention, not to mention the new administration’s. But new research is refuting the industry’s pro-pipeline arguments and even a former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is calling for greater scrutiny of proposed natural gas infrastructure projects.

Appalachia is blessed with abundant water — we should protect it

By Guest Contributor | February 20, 2017 |

“One of the resources we are most blessed with here in Appalachia is fresh drinking water of the highest quality,” writes Mackay Pierce in defense of the Stream Protection Rule, which was recently thrown out by Congress and President Trump. “We should be taking every possible measure that we can to protect it.”

Welcome Matt, Terran, Lydia and Mayzie

By Cat McCue | February 19, 2017 |

Appalachian Voices is delighted to welcome these passionate, dedicated, smart individuals to our staff. Matt, Terran and Lydia are all in our Norton office, in Southwest Virginia, and Mayzie is located in our Boone, N.C. office. Matt Hepler — Central Appalachian Water Scientist Originally from Bath County, Virginia, Matt received his B.A. in geography from…

Senate confirms Scott Pruitt to lead EPA

By Brian Sewell | February 17, 2017 |

As expected, the Senate has confirmed former Oklahoma attorney general and walking conflict of interest Scott Pruitt to be the next administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If President Trump still plans to cripple the EPA, as he repeatedly promised during his campaign, the man to lead that effort begins work on Monday.

Protect natural resources for Southwest Virginia’s future

By Guest Contributor | February 15, 2017 |

For all my life, the coal economy has ruled this region and its people,” writes Ron Short of Danville, Va., in a letter supporting the Stream Protection Rule. “Now we are facing the demise of the coal industry, and we must save the valuable natural resources that we have left if we are ever to develop cultural tourism and eco-tourism as important parts of a new economy that works for everyone.”

Environmental Protections Targeted

By AV's Intern Team | February 10, 2017 |

The two weeks of Trump’s presidency saw executive orders and actions in Congress.

The Energy Burden

By AV's Intern Team | February 10, 2017 |

Tennessee residents with inefficient housing and high energy bills could benefit from programs that make home weatherization improvements more accessible.