Front Porch Blog
Fight like hell for the living: Honoring Kingston coal ash workers
Twelve years after the Kingston coal ash spill, hundreds of cleanup workers are sick with lung diseases, blood and brain cancers and other ailments, and families report that as many as 53 workers have died from their exposure to the toxic Kingston coal ash.
Read MoreFighting for equitable land access in Southwest Virginia
Large, out-of-state companies often hold huge tracts of land in Southwest Virginia and across the region for its perceived coal or timber potential — making it difficult for nearby communities to use the land themselves.
Read MoreEnergy democracy in Virginia: Utopia or a real possibility?
Energy democracy is taking shape in Virginia. Join our statewide workgroup and add your voice to the call for a clean, equitable energy system.
Read MoreIn gratitude to Appalachian Voices’ outgoing and incoming board chairs
During this season of gratitude, we thank James “Kim” Gilliam for his six years of excellent leadership as Appalachian Voices Board Chair, and welcome new Board Chair Tracey Wright to her role. Read on to learn more about Tracey and Kim.
Read MoreStake a claim in your electric co-op!
The 2020 election season is over. But wait, there’s more! Next year in Virginia, you have the opportunity to run for your local electric co-op board.
Read MoreStopping a massive fracked-gas pipeline takes a village
Some organize community meetings, some drive for hours to testify at hearings, some pray, some rally, some give detailed research to government agencies, some file lawsuits — and some occupy tree-sits in protest. All stand against the unneeded, dangerous fracked-gas Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Read MoreCompany’s bankruptcy makes it harder for residents to address problems with nearby mines
People living near a pair of Virginia mountaintop removal coal mines have long complained about blasting and dust. Now, the company’s bankruptcy makes it even harder for nearby residents to get relief.
Read MoreVirginia regulators poised to grant mining permits to questionable company
As companies go bankrupt, they tend to pass off their mine mining permits — and the responsibility to reclaim them — to increasingly questionable entities. This is currently unfolding in Southwest Virginia, if the state mining agency allows it.
Read MoreSouthwest Virginia schools and local governments call for fair solar policies
Several public entities in the region are urging Appalachian Power Company to loosen their restrictive solar policies. On the sunnier side, Appalachian Voices and Iron Works Cycling secured a $25,000 grant for a solar array on the Big Stone Gap, Va., bicycle shop.
Read MoreChange on the horizon: Securing progress during the Biden administration
Securing progress for our region depends on our ability to remain committed to our shared values and to stand united as we advocate for a healthier, stronger, and more just future for Appalachia.
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