Press Releases
NC regulators deny environmental permit for fracked-gas Southgate pipeline
CONTACT: Ridge Graham, Appalachian Voices, (828) 994-7444, ridge@appvoices.org Perrin de Jong, Center for Biological Diversity, (828) 252-4646, perrin@biologicaldiversity.org Emily Sutton, Haw RiverKeeper, (573) 979-1038, emily@hawriver.org Today, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality denied the permit application for Southgate extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The agency said “that work on the Southgate extension could…
Read MoreCoalition makes catalytic investment in Appalachian coal mine reuse projects
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org 276-679-1691 Norton, Va. – Furthering its commitment to innovative mine reclamation projects throughout the Appalachian region, the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition (RAC) announced its investment in five projects in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Alabama as part of its inaugural mini-grant program. The coalition solicited mine reclamation and redevelopment project…
Read MoreLegal action challenges Duke Energy’s buildout of unapproved gas-fired power units
CONTACT: Jim Warren, NC WARN, 919-416-5077, jim@ncwarn.org Jean Su, Center for Biological Diversity, 415-770-3187, jsu@biologicaldiversity.org Matt Wasson, Appalachian Voices, 828-252-1500, matt@appvoices.org Durham, N.C.— Climate-justice groups filed a legal petition with the North Carolina Utilities Commission today asserting that Duke Energy — one of the top polluting U.S. utilities — is violating state law by quietly…
Read MoreDominion Energy and Duke Energy cancel Atlantic Coast Pipeline
CONTACT: Contact: Cat McCue, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org Today, Duke Energy and Dominion Energy canceled the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP), a proposed 600-mile fracked gas transmission line planned to span West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, citing economic uncertainty and continued delays. The massive fossil fuel project has been riddled with problems, having eight required permits vacated…
Read MoreRECLAIM Act passes the House as part of larger bill
CONTACT: Dana Kuhnline, RECLAIM Campaign Coordinator 304-825-3262 dana@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Sr. Communications and Public Engagement Strategist 434-293-6373 cat@appvoices.org The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the RECLAIM Act (HR 2156) as part of The Moving Forward Act (HR 2), a bill to address America’s infrastructure needs and create jobs in the wake of the economic…
Read MoreCoal community leaders release historic platform for national economic transition
Built on community-driven solutions by local, tribal and labor leaders, NET Platform pushes for bold investments in national transition program for those hit hardest by changing coal economy CONTACT: Trey Pollard, Just Transition Fund tpollard@justtransitionfund.org 202-904-9187 Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices cat@appvoices.org 434-293-6373 Listen to the 1-hour press tele-conference here. NATIONWIDE – Today, 80 local, regional,…
Read MoreFERC rubber stamps unneeded Southgate fracked-gas pipeline
CONTACT: Ridge Graham, North Carolina Field Coordinator, ridge@appvoices.org, 828-262-1500 The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, for its Southgate pipeline project. The pipeline would take gas from the terminus of the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, Va., through Rockingham and Alamance counties…
Read MoreVa should expand utility shutoff ban during Covid-19 crisis
CONTACT: Peter Anderson, Senior Program Manager Virginia, 434-293-6373, peter@appvoices.org Rory McIlmoil, Senior Energy Analyst, 828-262-1500, rory@appvoices.org Appalachian Voices sent a letter today to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) urging the commissioners to extend and strengthen the existing moratorium on water, gas and electric utility disconnections and late payment fees to protect families who are…
Read MoreVirginia commission advances solar in coalfield region
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, Appalachian Voices New Economy Program Manager, chelsea@appvoices.org, 276-207-9636 Southwest Virginia’s coal-bearing region is significantly closer to reaping the benefits of rooftop solar on businesses, nonprofits, schools and other government buildings. The Virginia State Corporation Commission on Friday issued an order updating guidelines for its renewable energy pilot program for third-party power purchase…
Read MoreNC governor extends moratorium on utility shutoffs during Covid crisis
CONTACT: Al Ripley, Director, NC Justice Center, Director of Housing, Consumer and Energy Project, 919-274-8245 Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices, Senior Energy Analyst, 828-266-1500 Tyler Fitch, Vote Solar, Southeast Regulatory Manager; Press contact Hilary Lewis, 202-455-0361 Luis Martinez, Natural Resources Defense Council, Senior Attorney and Director Southeast Energy; Press contact Maria Michalos, 631-848-1588 N.C. Governor Roy…
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