Press Releases
Solarize Wise (Va.) running strong with Sigora Solar on board
Contact: Lydia Graves, Solarize Wise Program Coordinator, Lydia@appvoices.org, (276) 679-1691 NOTE TO EDITORS: These photos (here and here) are available to download and print. Caption: Solar thermal hot water system on the roof of the Duffield Regional Jail in Scott County, Va. Photo credit: Christine Gyovai. In the last several months, more than 45 people…
Read MoreFERC’s final Atlantic Coast Pipeline report a sham
Citizens turn to states to scrutinize environmental impacts Contact: Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices communications director, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 More contacts listed below The Trump administration’s final environmental report issued today for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would carry fracked-gas through West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina, utterly fails to independently assess whether the project is even…
Read MoreHouse Committee approves the RECLAIM Act with bipartisan support
On Tuesday morning, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the RECLAIM Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at revitalizing coal mining communities. The legislation would direct $1 billion over five years to restoring abandoned mine lands. Committee members also approved an amendment put forward by Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) to require projects that receive funding under…
Read MoreGroups blast FERC findings on Mountain Valley Pipeline for fracked gas
Contact information for those quoted provided below. A coalition of landowners and advocacy organizations today condemned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for disregarding the profound and long-lasting human and environmental trauma the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) would cause. In its final environmental review, released Friday morning, FERC ignores the most harmful impacts this…
Read MoreGroups challenge W.Va. certification for proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline
Contact: Gabby Brown, Sierra Club, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org Peter Anderson, Appalachian Voices, peter@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 Richmond, VA — Environmental groups filed suit today challenging West Virginia’s certification for the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline, which would transport fracked gas across West Virginia and Virginia. The proposed 300-mile, 42-inch pipeline would cross primarily undeveloped, rural agricultural and forested lands. The…
Read MoreGot 90 seconds? New video explains electric utility financing for residential energy efficiency
Contact: Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices, Energy Savings Program Manager, 828-262-1500, rory@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices, Director of Communications, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org A video short released today aims to broadly publicize a rarely used model of financing for utilities to pay the upfront costs of residential energy efficiency improvements so customers can immediately benefit from healthier, more…
Read MoreReport finds thousands in western N.C. and eastern Tenn. need energy efficiency financing
CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices Energy Savings Program Manager, rory@appvoices.org, (828) 262-1500 Boone, N.C. — A program that pays for the upfront cost of home energy improvements could lower monthly bills for thousands of families in western North Carolina while creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and protecting natural resources and public health, according to Appalachian…
Read MoreCongress includes $10 million for Southwest Virginia coal communities in spending plan
Contact: Adam Wells, New Economy Program Manager, 276-679-1691, adam@appvoices.org Thom Kay, Senior Legislative Representative, 864-580-1843, thom.kay@appvoices.org Gerald Collins Coal Mining Engineering Services LLC, 276-220-0150, gerald1951@comcast.net Norton, Va. — A proposed federal spending bill that took shape in Congress over the weekend includes $10 million in funding for economic development projects to help communities in Southwest…
Read MoreFederal review of Atlantic Coast Pipeline fails people and the environment
Contacts: Lewis Freeman, Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, 703-298-8107, lewfreeman@gmail.com Greg Buppert, Southern Environmental Law Center, 434-977-4090, gbuppert@selcva.org Ben Luckett, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, 404-645-0125, bluckett@appalmad.org Peter Anderson, Appalachian Voices, 434-293-6373, peter@appvoices.org An analysis of environmental impacts for the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline is completely inadequate and falls far short of legal requirements. This is the overwhelming consensus…
Read MoreSouthwest Virginia hosts “Solar Fair”
Contact: Lydia Graves, Appalachian Voices, lydia@appvoices.org, (276) 679-1691 The Southwest Virginia Solar Workgroup is hosting a Solar Fair on May 9 at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. This event is free and open to the public. All are encouraged to come enjoy free solar powered fun and food. Attendees will have the opportunity…
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