Press Releases
Communities honor Kingston coal ash cleanup workers with video, billboards, and ceremony for 15th spill anniversary
To honor cleanup workers for the 15th anniversary of TVA’s Kingston Coal Ash Spill, communities released a powerful short video and set up five billboards. Roane County, which just established the spill anniversary as an annual day of remembrance for the workers, will also hold a ceremony on Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. ET on the steps of the Roane County Courthouse: 200 E Race St #11, Kingston, TN 37763.
Read MoreLegislators & advocates highlight major black lung legislation & fight back against attacks on new silica dust rule
This afternoon, lawmakers and advocates for miners with black lung called on Congress to pass major legislation during a virtual press conference. Leaders from the National Black Lung Association, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and Appalachian Voices were joined by U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), who announced the introduction of the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2023, which would ease the process for families of deceased miners to apply for black lung benefits, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a lead sponsor for the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, which would help miners access the benefits they deserve.
Read MoreGroups announce “People’s Hearing” after TVA board ignores requests for more public input into long-term energy plan
In response to TVA’s failure to offer opportunities for substantial input on the IRP, the groups will hold a “People’s IRP Hearing” that will include testimony from expert witnesses along with a public comment session.
Read MoreRESCHEDULED: Advocates Urge Congress to Advance Major Black Lung Legislation & Halt Attacks on New Silica Dust Rule
Next week, lawmakers and advocates for miners with black lung will discuss major new black lung legislation — including the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act introduced today — during a virtual press conference.
Read MorePound participates in new brownfields program
The Town of Pound is partnering with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Appalachian Voices with assistance from the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center to participate in a new revitalization program that will inventory sites and buildings and identify dilapidated and abandoned buildings.
Read MoreChesterfield residents overwhelm Dominion air permit briefing
On November 16th, more than 60 Chesterfield residents overwhelmed a Dominion Energy-led hearing on the “Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center,” a 1,000-megawatt methane-gas power plant Dominion is proposing to build in Chesterfield County.
Read MoreOpposition to proposed Dominion gas plant grows ahead of public briefing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 2023 CONTACT Jessica Sims, (804) 356-1228 jessica@appvoices.org Glen Besa, (804) 387-6001 glenbesa@gmail.com Chester, Va. — On Thursday, Nov. 16, advocates from Central Virginia will host a community gathering and press conference to highlight their opposition to the proposed “Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center,” a methane-gas power plant proposed by Dominion Energy.…
Read MoreLawsuit filed to save imperiled Appalachian species from coal mining
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2023 CONTACT Perrin de Jong, Center for Biological Diversity, (828) 595-1862, perrin@biologicaldiversity.org Dan Radmacher, Appalachian Voices, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Center for Biological Diversity and Appalachian Voices today sued the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing…
Read MoreOrganizations call for more transparent energy planning at TVA with “Motion to Intervene”
For the first time in the 90-year history of the Tennessee Valley Authority, several nonprofit advocacy organizations submitted a “Motion to Intervene” in the authority’s Integrated Resource Plan process.
Read MoreAppalachian Voices awarded EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program Funding
Appalachian Voices partnered with five Southwest Virginia governments and communities, including Clinchco, Dante, Dungannon, Pennington Gap and Pound on a three-year proposal to map, plan, and implement community-driven initiatives to build more resilient communities.
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