Appalachian Voices applauds introduction of legislation to increase public participation in Tennessee Valley Authority planning process

TVA Listening Session - August 2025 crowd shot

The TVA Increase Rate of Participation Act proposes changes to increase public participation in the federally owned utility’s integrated resource planning process, while also requiring the utility to take into account certain factors to ensure the plan will result in sustainable, reliable and affordable energy for people in the Tennessee Valley region. 

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SCC greenlights proposed Chesterfield gas plant

Members of Friends of Chesterfield pose for a picture outside of the county board of supervisors meeting on April 24, 2024. Photo by Jessica Sims

RICHMOND, Va. — Today after years of public opposition from local community members and residents throughout Virginia, the State Corporation Commission issued an order approving a certificate of public convenience and necessity that will allow Dominion Energy to build its proposed gas power plant in Chesterfield. Based on Dominion’s estimates, the plant will cost ratepayers at least $8…

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Coal company owned by Sen. Jim Justice’s family faces court hearing over continued failure to clean up mines 

In a federal court hearing regarding a motion to hold A&G Coal Company in contempt for violating a January 2023 consent decree, attorneys for the company argued that it doesn’t have enough money to meet the terms of the decree, including funding mine cleanup at three delinquent mines. But attorneys representing the conservation groups that brought the original lawsuit presented evidence that executives for companies owned by the family of West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice — including A&G — routinely move money between the companies as they feel is warranted.

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NC DEQ approves water permit for MVP Southgate pipeline

Community leaders, grassroots organizations and members of the public spoke out against Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Southgate project at a public hearing on MVP’s application for a 401 water quality permit. Photo by Kasey Kinsella of 7 Directions of Service

Today, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued a Clean Water Act Section 401 certification for Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s proposed methane gas pipeline “Southgate,” rejecting concerns raised by North Carolina community members that the project would pollute streams and wetlands and harm protected aquatic species.

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