Front Porch Blog
Solar-powered microgrids are ready to support communities in WNC
Two new mobile solar-powered microgrids are ready for use in Western North Carolina, and 24 stationary microgrids are coming to sites like fire stations, libraries and community centers.
Read MoreMining could start up near the Monongahela National Forest again
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection granted ‘advanced approval’ to two mining companies to take over South Fork Coal Company operations; conservation groups are threatening to sue Two companies have taken over South Fork Coal Company’s mining operations near the Monongahela National Forest — including the use of an illegal coal haul road that…
Read MoreTransforming a former mine into a healthy forest
Appalachian Voices acquired Quarry Drive, a 193-acre former coal mine site to restore a healthy native hardwood forest that supports local wildlife, steward the land and explore ways to fund mineland restoration at a larger scale.
Read MoreClean water is overdue in West Virginia’s coal country!
Advocates met with congressional staff on Capitol Hill last week to ask for vital water infrastructure investments in West Virginia. Sen. Capito and Rep. Moore are key parts of the process.
Read MoreEast Tennessee communities paid a high price to win federal protections from coal ash. Now the EPA is rolling them back.
Hundreds of communities across the country have been harmed by coal ash pollution, and each one has a story about its fight for protections from this nasty and harmful industrial waste.
Read MoreWho gets what, when and how: What the congressional appropriations process means for Appalachia
Congress is kicking off the annual appropriations process, where legislators decide whether to sustain or slash programs that support economic development, disaster preparedness, mine safety, environmental remediation and more.
Read MoreInside recent efforts to cut the public out of government decision-making and weaken NEPA
Further weakening a key environmental protection law will not speed up infrastructure projects.
Read MoreVirginia advocates secured big wins at the 2026 General Assembly
The 2026 Virginia General Assembly session turned out to be a monumental year for clean energy policy in the commonwealth, with significant clean energy and energy affordability bills passing both the House of Delegates and Senate.
Read MoreFight continues to restore unlawfully terminated EPA program
A federal appeals court heard oral arguments in a class-action lawsuit against the EPA to restore a program that was helping hundreds of community-based nonprofits, tribes and local governments build better futures for communities across the nation.
Read MoreDuke Energy uses rigged system to rip its customers off — again
Duke Energy customers could face another major increase in electric bills that would hit families’ budgets hard — just when they can least afford it.
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