Press Releases
Final budget bill includes unprecedented AMLER investment and STREAM Act, but neglects critically needed black lung benefits improvements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 22, 2022 Contact: Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, 202-904-9187 COAL COUNTRY — Today, Congress finally passed FY2023 appropriations legislation and secured two major victories for coal-impacted communities. The omnibus appropriations legislation passed today included the STREAM Act and an unprecedented $135 million investment in the AMLER program — but, the Black Lung Benefits…
Read MoreRemember Kingston: Communities set up billboards and newspaper ad to honor cleanup workers on the 14th anniversary of the Kingston Coal Ash Spill
Four “Remember Kingston” billboards have been set up on major highways surrounding Knoxville to honor the hundreds of workers who cleaned up the Kingston Coal Ash Spill along with a full page ad in the Roane County News.
Read MoreCommunity advocates urge Congress to include key coal community investments in forthcoming budget legislation
Congressional appropriations leaders are preparing to release omnibus spending legislation for FY2023 today, and community advocates from across coal country are urging them to ensure several long-standing priority investments are included. Advocates argue that the omnibus legislation is an important opportunity to get three key provisions over the finish line.
Read MoreSenate passes amended STREAM Act and sends it back to House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2022 CONTACT Chelsea Barnes, (614) 205-6424, chelsea@appvoices.org Dan Radmacher, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night, by unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate passed the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines Act that will ensure that billions of dollars in new money for abandoned coal mine…
Read MoreU.S. Senate excludes Sen. Joe Manchin’s Building American Energy Security Act from National Defense Authorization Act
For immediate release: December 15, 2022 Contacts: Chelsea Barnes, Legislative Director, chelsea@appvoices.org Molly Moore, Director of Program Communications, molly@appvoices.org WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment that would have added Sen. Joe Manchin’s proposed Building American Energy Security Act (BAESA) to “must-pass” national defense legislation. As written, the BAESA attempts to override…
Read MoreAir board votes to move forward with Virginia’s withdrawal from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 7, 2022 CONTACT Jessica Sims, jessica@appvoices.org, 804-356-1228 Richmond, Va. — Today, the seven-member citizen Air Pollution Control Board voted 4-1 (with 2 abstaining) to move forward with Virginia’s withdrawal from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multistate program that has resulted in approximately $452 million of critical funding for communities and…
Read MoreStatement on exclusion of permitting and Mountain Valley Pipeline language from defense bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 7, 2022 CONTACT Chelsea Barnes, chelsea@appvoices.org, (614) 205-6424 Ridge Graham, ridge@appvoices.org, (828) 994-7444 Update, 2 p.m., Dec. 7: After yesterday’s defeat, today Sen. Manchin released a new bill, the Building American Security Act of 2022, which contains many of the same reckless measures as the failed Energy Independence and Security Act.…
Read MoreAdvocates to rally in Richmond to stay in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2022 CONTACT Jessica Sims, jessica@appvoices.org, 804-356-1228 Richmond, VA — On Wednesday, Dec. 7, advocates for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will gather in Henrico County to rally in support of the program. Virginia’s participation in the program has resulted in over $378 million of critical funding for communities and localities,…
Read MoreAdvocates to rally against ongoing attempt to withdraw Virginia from RGGI
On Wednesday, December 7, advocates in Henrico will rally in advance of the meeting of the State Air Pollution Control Board that morning. The citizen board will discuss the regulatory process currently underway to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Read MoreStatement on the passing of Rep. Donald McEachin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 29, 2022 CONTACT Dan Radmacher, dan[at]appvoices.org, (540) 798-6683 The staff of Appalachian Voices is deeply saddened by the passing of Rep. A. Donald McEachin, an inspiring and committed public servant and stalwart champion of environmental justice and the people of Virginia. From his time in the Virginia House of Delegates and…
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