Press Releases
In a win for customers, Virginia State Corporation Commission rejects utility proposals and sets higher energy efficiency standards
Earlier this month, the Virginia State Corporation Commission published two orders that will require Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company to maintain and expand their energy efficiency programs from 2026 to 2028.
Read MoreCommunity Strong project development meetings coming to Dante, Dungannon, Pennington Gap, Pound and Clinchco
Appalachian Voices will be hosting the third listening sessions for the Community Strong initiative in Clinchco, Dante, Dungannon, Pennington Gap and Pound, Virginia, in March and April. Community members are invited to join.
Read MoreD.C. Circuit hears arguments on FERC’s MVP Southgate pipeline approval
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral argument challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to extend the construction deadline for the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate project through Virginia and North Carolina.
Read MoreEnvironmental groups sue to challenge mountaintop removal mine on Coal River Mountain
Environmental groups filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to grant a Clean Water Act permit for four valley fills associated with the Turkeyfoot Surface Mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia.
Read MoreCoal company with 80+ clean water violations files for bankruptcy
South Fork Coal Company and its parent entities Xinergy and White Forest Resources, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. The move follows the company’s well-documented pattern of water pollution and mine clean-up violations, which have drawn mounting public scrutiny and legal actions.
Read MoreDEP expected to allow Florida-based coal company to walk away from water pollution at Marmet
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection appears poised to release Keystone West Virginia, LLC, a Florida-based coal company, from its obligation to treat ongoing acid mine drainage originating at the KD #1 Surface Mine. A public comment period on the pending decision concluded on Saturday.
Read MoreAbandoned Mine Land cleanup disrupted by federal funding freeze
As the Appalachian region is experiencing intense rainfall this week, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is not processing state requests seeking approval for abandoned mine land reclamation projects according to state agency officials and congressional staff.
Read MoreUPDATED: Public informational meeting on Feb. 24 to discuss proposed methane gas pipelines
On Thursday, Feb. 20, health and safety advocates will hold a community meeting to discuss multiple methane gas pipeline projects proposed to come to Rockingham County.
Read MoreThousands urge EPA to regulate coal dust from trains polluting communities and waterways
Appalachian Voices submitted a letter signed by nearly 4,000 individuals urging the Trump administration’s newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Lee Zeldin, to develop new protections from coal dust that blows off of trains, contaminating waterways and posing serious public health risks.
Read MoreCANCELED: Community invited to solar power ribbon-cutting and community event at Four Seasons YMCA in Tazewell
The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Secure Solar Futures are hosting a ribbon cutting for the YMCA’s new solar power system with a community event about local solar energy at the Tazewell Four Seasons YMCA on Feb. 20 between 3 and 5 p.m.
Read More