All Posts
North Carolina Sues Duke Energy Over Coal Ash Pollution, Again
In recent months, but only after prolonged pressure from concerned citizens and environmental groups, it seemed the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources was finally ready to take Duke Energy to task over coal ash pollution. But when DENR and Duke put forth a proposed settlement that came with a fine of just $99,000…
Read MoreBudget Hacks in White House Bow to Industry Pressure on Clean Water Rule
We’ve written before on the Front Porch Blog about the need to dramatically strengthen federal limits for wastewater discharges from the nation’s power plants, which account for roughly two-thirds of all toxics that wind up in America’s rivers, streams and other waters. In June, the Environmental Protection Agency, finally, issued a proposal to update the…
Read MoreTenn. Tuesday – A Bright Day, Welcoming The Newest Tennessean
Appalachian Voices’ resident Tennessean, and a proud one at that, is celebrating the birth of his second daughter, who for at least a little while yesterday morning was the newest resident of the great state of Tennessee. Congratulations JW, Elizabeth and Emma, we know Isla James will be as proud of her home as y’all…
Read MoreStepping Toward Wind and Solar Energy in Virginia
The call for action on climate change has grown louder in the weeks following the announcement of the Obama administration’s climate action plan. As the president laid out in June, the plan that leads to a more sustainable energy policy, and as the newly confirmed administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy, reminded…
Read MoreHouse Votes to Block EPA on Coal Ash
This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2218, a bill that strips the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate coal ash. The bill fails to protect human health and the environment from the unsafe disposal of toxic coal ash waste. The bill’s supporters, led by bill author Rep. David McKinley (R-WV), continue…
Read MoreThe Environment on The Hill: Congress Continues to Undermine Essential Protections
Yesterday was a busy day on Capitol Hill. With multiple hearings on environmental issues in the House and Senate, Congress is trying to get a lot of business done before the August recess. House Natural Resources Committee Questions OSM Director Pizarchik Joseph Pizarchik, Director of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSM) was…
Read MoreA Great Day for Virginia Streams
Yesterday, advocates for clean water won a major court victory in Virginia. Under a court order, A&G Coal will be the first coal company in Virginia required to get a permit for their discharges of toxic selenium. U.S. District Judge James P. Jones ruled that because the company did not tell regulators that they might…
Read MoreCourt Victory for Clean Water in Kentucky: The Battle Continues
Last week, an attempt by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to toss concerned citizens out of court failed. Judge Phillip Shepherd denied a motion to dismiss our challenge of a settlement between Frasure Creek Mining and the cabinet. Appalachian Voices and our partners KFTC, Kentucky Riverkeeper and Waterkeeper Alliance, will now be allowed to…
Read MoreAppalachian Voices Calls On New EPA Administrator To End Mountaintop Removal Mining
After more than five months of delay and threats of filibuster, the U.S. Senate today confirmed Gina McCarthy by a vote of 59-40 to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It was the longest delay of a presidential nominee’s confirmation in the agency’s history. Under President Obama, the EPA has been vilified by the fossil…
Read MoreAs the Barn Burns, the House Stays Cold on Energy Efficiency
There has been much ado about energy efficiency in Congress recently, but so far there’s nothing to show for it. On June 12, we wrote about the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), which could help millions of residential electricity customers across the United States access low-cost financing for improving the energy efficiency of their homes,…
Read More