Press Releases
Legal 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…
Read MoreGroups urge expansion of NC utility shutoff moratorium during Covid-19
CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, Appalachian Voices, rory@appvoices.org, (423) 433-9415 Maria Michalos, Eastern Regional Communications Manager, Natural Resources Defense Council, mmichalos@nrdc.org, (631) 848-1588 Al Ripley, Director, Consumer, Housing and Energy Project, NC Justice Center, al@ncjustice.org, (919) 274-8245 Hilary Lewis, Communications Director, Vote Solar, hilary@votesolar.org, (202) 455-0361 *NOTE: The letter to the governor was updated…
Read MoreVirginia opens the door for independent proposals for solar projects in Southwest Virginia
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes 276-207-9636 chelsea@appvoices.org Cat McCue 434-293-6373 cat@appvoices.org The Virginia State Corporation Commission has announced that it is re-opening acceptance of registrations for third-party, non-utility owners of solar generation through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The pilot program has been closed to registrations since January when the previous state limit on such arrangements was reached.…
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