Press Releases
U.S. makes largest-ever investment in abandoned mine cleanup
CONTACT: Matt Hepler, Appalachian Voices Central Appalachian Environmental Scientist, (540) 871-1564, matt@appvoices.org Molly Moore, Appalachian Voices Communications, (847) 401-3633, molly@appvoices.org The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act President Biden is expected to sign into law today includes the nation’s largest-ever investment in cleaning up decades-old abandoned coal mines. The bill reauthorizes the Abandoned Mine Land (AML)…
Read MoreGroups file complaint that Duke Energy rigged net metering process to push plan to undermine rooftop solar power in NC
CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, 423-433-9415, rory@appvoices.org Jim Warren, 919-416-5077, jim@ncwarn.org Durham, NC – Two clean energy groups today filed a complaint with state regulators about a stakeholder process they say was rigged to favor a Duke Energy scheme that would harm small-scale solar power companies and Duke Energy customers across North Carolina. NC WARN and Appalachian…
Read MoreAppalachian Voices celebrates historic investments in Abandoned Mine Land Program
CONTACT: Dana Kuhnline, RECLAIM Campaign Coordinator, dana@appvoices.org, (304) 825-3262 Jamie Goodman, Digital Communications Specialist, comms@appvoices.org, (828) 719-9493 APPALACHIA — Late Friday night, the U.S. House passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program and provides an additional $11.3 billion for abandoned mine cleanup. This bipartisan bill…
Read MoreBuild Back Better Framework contains key provisions to spur clean energy investments in Appalachia
CONTACT: Tom Cormons, Appalachian Voices Executive Director, tom@appvoices.org, (434) 981-6506 Jamie Goodman, Digital Communications Specialist, comms@appvoices.org, (828) 719-9493 The newly unveiled Build Back Better Framework presents a historic investment in rural America, in working families, and in ensuring a just, timely transition to cleaner energy sources that create good jobs and foster a stable climate…
Read MoreReport finds potential to create hundreds of reclamation jobs on Justice-family coal mines
CONTACT: Willie Dodson, Central Appalachian Field Coordinator willie@appvoices.org 276-870-5843 A new report by Appalachian Voices estimates that there is enough outstanding reclamation liability on coal mines owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and/or his adult children to employ 220 to 460 workers for five years. Based on data provided by state and federal regulators,…
Read MoreLaunch of Appalachian Solar Finance Fund will spur solar in coal-impacted communities
CONTACT: Autumn Long, Appalachian Solar Finance Fund Project Manager autumn.long@appvoices.org, 304-841-3539 The Appalachian Solar Finance Fund (SFF), a new program to jump-start commercial and institutional solar projects in coal-impacted communities throughout Central Appalachia, will launch on Thursday, November 4 with a webinar at noon Eastern Time. The SFF will use a recent $1.5 million ARC…
Read MoreNC advocates’ press statement In response to the signing of House Bill 951
Advance Carolina, Appalachian Voices and the Center for Biological Diversity strongly opposed House Bill 951 due in part to the potential for significant cost increases for ratepayers and the potential to give Duke Energy sweeping authority to approve, reject, or modify the NCUC’s carbon reduction plan, potentially delaying or preventing the state from reaching its goals.
Read More“Compromise” energy bill will harm North Carolina families and businesses
CONTACT: Molly Moore, Appalachian Voices Editorial Communications Coordinator molly [at] appvoices.org, 847-401-3633 A new version of a bill backed by Duke Energy would pad the pockets of Duke Energy and its shareholders while having crushing financial implications for families and businesses. The largest section of the bill authorizing “performance based regulation” provides Duke automatic annual…
Read MoreCongress fails to reauthorize abandoned coal mine lands program before deadline, creating new uncertainty & threatening job creation
CONTACT: Trey Pollard, 202-904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com Molly Moore, 847-401-3633, molly@appvoices.org APPALACHIA — The authorization of funding for the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) fund officially expired at midnight Thursday. This lapse in funding brings a new level of uncertainty to the AML program, which is responsible for cleaning up dangerous highwalls, open mine portals, and polluted streams…
Read MoreCoal Miners & Advocates Applaud Introduction of 10-Year Extension of Excise Tax for Black Lung Disability Trust Fund
CONTACT: Rebecca Shelton, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, 859-893-0543, rshelton@aclc.org Chelsea Barnes, Appalachian Voices, 614-205-6424, chelsea@appvoices.org Trey Pollard, 202-904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com Please reach out if you’d like to speak to a local contact (policy expert, miner with black lung disease) about the Trust Fund or Excise Tax. APPALACHIA – Today, Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH),…
Read More