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June is “Solar Energy Month” in North Carolina
By Chelsey Fisher Editorial assistant, Summer 2013 On the heels of Republican-led legislative threats to environmental protection and renewable energy in North Carolina, Republican Governor Pat McCrory deemed June “Solar Energy Month” at a solar farm in Wake County on June 4. This acknowledgment is definitely deserved, considering North Carolina ranked fourth in the nation…
Read MoreDominion Power is Living in the Moment — and We’re Paying the Price
On June 4, Dominion Virginia Power hosted Appalachian Voices, the Sierra Club, and the Southern Environmental Law Center at the second stakeholder meeting in an ongoing series designed to increase the information shared between the utility and environmental groups. The meeting was held in downtown Richmond, Va., on the banks of the James River, and…
Read MoreA Legislative Lesson in Taking the Easy Way Out
In the midst of allegations against Duke Energy for coal ash pollution at multiple coal-fired plants, a bill in the North Carolina House of Representatives could give polluters a free pass and build a buffer against lawsuits. Already passed by the N.C. Senate, the Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 (S 612) proposes a “boundary loophole”…
Read MoreWelcoming Our New Energy Savings Program
Dear friends and members, Fighting the bad stuff isn’t enough. As Appalachia begins to transition away from destructive sources of energy like mountaintop removal coal, we need to work toward a future where our energy comes from clean sources and Appalachian communities prosper with jobs that respect our natural heritage. We waste an astonishing amount…
Read MoreAppalachian Voices and Partners Challenge Kentucky’s Backroom Deal With Coal Company
Yesterday, Appalachian Voices and our partner organizations filed a “petition for review”, essentially an appeal of a settlement between Frasure Creek Mining and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. This settlement lets Frasure Creek off the hook for thousands of water quality violations over the past two years, while doing little to ensure that the…
Read MoreEPA’s Benefits Greatly Outweigh Costs, According to OMB Report
By Davis Wax Editorial assistant, Spring/Summer 2013 During their push to abolish, obstruct and stymie the Environmental Protection Agency over the past few years, House Republicans have beleaguered the agency for regulatory measures they consider “job-killing” or “anti-industry,” hoping to revert federal environmental regulation to state control or make protections obsolete altogether. Those in favor…
Read MoreA Must-Read Report, Another Reminder It’s Time to Build Something New in Central Appalachia
The litany of voices pointing to the writing on the wall for the Central Appalachian coal industry continues to grow. They’re saying the same thing in almost every way imaginable, and have been for some time. Watching coal production decline and demand shift as other energy sources out-compete coal domestically, it is vital that policymakers…
Read MoreTending to Appalachia’s Bright Future
I had never been to Harlan County. Sure, I’ve heard the songs, seen the movie, and know the stories, but nothing compares to being there, driving the Kentucky back roads, stopping in local shops, talking to folks. It’s beautiful country, especially in April with the redbuds blooming and the bright greens of spring blushing up…
Read MoreClean Water Protection Act Introduced with 45 Cosponsors
Yesterday, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) introduced the Clean Water Protection Act in the 113th Congress with 45 original cosponsors. The Clean Water Protection Act, H.R. 1837, is a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives which would sharply reduce mountaintop removal coal mining by making it illegal to dump mining…
Read MoreOf Monsters and Zombies: NC Legislature Turning into Bad Horror Flick
By Davis Wax Editorial assistant, Spring/Summer 2013 Among the scary legislation developing in the North Carolina assembly, there are two bills — one a monster of bad environmental reform and the other back from the dead in order to snuff out the state’s renewable energy — which stand out from the creepy pack. These bills…
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