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A Washington Post editorial on mountaintop removal’s dirty consequences
The Washington Post published a strongly worded editorial condemning mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia that cites recent studies revealing the practice’s dirty consequences. With the mounting scientific evidence that mining pollution is decimating aquatic life, wiping out trees and mountains, and promoting a host of human health problems, there is no excuse to continue allowing mountaintop removal.
North Carolinians speak out against fracking: Are elected officials listening?
More than two dozen environmental and social justice groups came together in Raleigh last week to hand deliver 59,500 petition signatures to North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, calling on elected officials to reinstate the ban on fracking in the state. Clearly, thousands of North Carolinians don’t want to see fracking in North Carolina, the question is: are our elected officials listening to us?
Mountaintop removal promotes lung cancer
The body of research linking mountaintop removal mining to lung cancer just got a whole lot stronger. Using dust samples collected in communities near mountaintop removal mines, a new study conducted by West Virginia University researchers found a direct link between air pollution and tumor growth.
Corporate windfall lets N.C. utilities charge customers under outdated tax rate
The North Carolina Utilities Commission (somehow) decided that even though the legislature cut North Carolina’s corporate income tax rate from 6.9 percent to 5 percent last year, Duke Energy and other public utilities can continue charging customers at 6.9 percent and pocket the difference. Meanwhile, for three consecutive quarters, Duke has received a larger rate of return than authorized by state regulators, or in this case, the utilities commission.
Community members gather for Blue Ridge energy efficiency kick-off
Did you miss the party? Last Thursday, Energy Savings for Appalachia hosted a launch party for our new campaign focusing on Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp. Energy efficiency advocates and residents facing high energy costs gathered in our downtown Boone office to hear about the campaign and how they can get involved in our outreach efforts.
The reclamation myth, it’s still happening too
Companies are still using mountaintop removal, blowing up mountains in Appalachia to mine coal. But despite what some say, they are not putting them back together again. Until the Obama administration and Congress take serious action, no amount of reclamation is going to fix the problems the mining is leaving behind.
A Family’s Troubled Water
After mountaintop removal coal mining began near their eastern Kentucky home, the Halberts saw their water quality and quality of life plummet. Three years later, they continue to seek answers.
Read MoreKentucky Sees Growth in Bald Eagle Population
Bald eagles are navigating a continued recovery in Kentucky. Reports made this August by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife observed 131 nests, a promising increase from the 42 nests found in 2005 and the single nest found in 1986.
Read MoreVirginia Restoration Reroutes Troubled Water
In Rockbridge County, Va., construction vehicles this August began carving out nearly half a mile of new streambed for the Maury River. Tree plantings to stabilize the soil are scheduled to begin this fall. This will be the largest stream restoration project completed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, which received funding from a federal grant program and a local family farm.
Read MoreHeavy-Volume Water Pipe Proposed on Nolichucky River in Tennessee
Rights to the Nolichucky River in Midway, Tenn., have remained contentious since 2011, when U.S. Nitrogen proposed an industrial chemical facility with a 10-mile pipeline connected to the river. The pipeline would withdraw nearly 2 million gallons of water per day, and 500,000 gallons would be returned, contaminated with small amounts of ammonium and nitrogen.
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