All Posts
Region experienced wider, more intense forest fires this spring
Forest fires in North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia were more intense than usual this spring, resulting in the temporary closure of several sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Read MoreThe Changing Nature of Rural Electric Cooperatives in the 21st Century
Learn more about how rural electric cooperatives are leading the way to a more sustainable energy future, by helping their members pay for energy efficiency home improvements.
Read MoreSurvey says … energy efficiency financing needed in western NC
Appalachian Voices recently conducted a Facebook survey in western North Carolina served by rural electric co-ops. Almost 90% of the respondents survey said they had trouble paying their electric bill. Tens of thousands of homes in this region are older and drafty, losing energy through windows, doors and roofs. Yet almost half the population is below the poverty line. A new financing mechanism for energy efficiency improvements could work wonders.
Read MoreAnnouncing the Energy Savings for Appalachia webinar series
If you happened to miss our first energy efficiency on-bill financing webinar on May 11, don’t despair. You can watch the recording of the webinar, which is the first in a series describing the benefits of on-bill financing entitled “Leveraging Energy Savings: On-bill Financing as an Economic Opportunity in the Southeast.”
Read MoreConnecting the economic dots in Southwest Virginia
More than 300 people turned out for the recent Southwest Virginia Economic Forum hosted by UVA-Wise — perhaps the largest gathering of people coming together to talk specifically and hopefully about solutions for the region’s economic future. A week later, the positive energy coming out of the forum is still palpable in the community, with some feeling it may have been the turning point for the region.
Read MoreDEQ dodges legitimate coal-ash safety concerns
Enabled by anti-regulatory powers in the legislature, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has abandoned the principles necessary to serve the public. It’s time for lawmakers to acknowledge DEQ’s failures and focus on moving forward on coal ash cleanup.
Read MoreNCDEQ wants changes to coal ash law before finalizing rankings
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality announced on Wednesday tentative closure deadlines for coal ash ponds at Duke Energy facilities across the state. A statement from Appalachian Voices’ N.C. Campaign Coordinator Amy Adams: “Residents threatened by Duke Energy’s coal ash want results, not headlines. Today’s announcement has no guarantee that DEQ is taking swift and…
Read MoreEnergy efficiency success in western N.C.
We’re taking a moment to step back and celebrate a significant milestone in our Energy Savings for Appalachia program. Just a few days ago, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp. launched a financing program that enables eligible members to make energy efficient home improvements now, and repay the co-op on their monthly bills over time. It’s a win-win for residents, local economies and the environment.
Read MoreDrinking water problems still plague eastern Kentucky
After a nearby creek ran bright yellow last month, residents of Martin County, Ky., still have questions for local and state officials — and that’s not uncommon in a county that has seen its fair share of coal slurry spills and municipal water problems. So why are so many officials ignoring the problem?
Read MoreThe Energy Savings for Appalachia program is expanding: Part 2
After achieving success in the North Carolina High Country, we are expanding the Energy Savings for Appalachia campaign to the service territory of the Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation.
Read More