Press Releases
600 ‘March on the Mansion’ to tell Gov. McAuliffe: Put people over polluters
As record warm temperatures strike the U.S., Virginians call for clean energy instead of fracked-gas pipelines, polluted water, and flooded homes First-of-its-kind climate justice rally in Va. unites people on the front lines of fossil fuel harm and social justice, faith, landowner, student, conservation, and climate movements Contact: Kelly Trout, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 717-439-0346…
Read MoreNew SWVa project shows top spots for turning old coal mines into economic drivers
Contact: Adam Wells, Economic Diversification Program Coordinator (o) 276-679 1691, (m) 804-240-4372, adam@appvoices.org Norton, VA — Appalachian Voices today released preliminary findings in an ongoing review of abandoned coal mine lands in Southwest Virginia to identify the best potential sites for reclamation and redevelopment for positive economic benefit for the region. The nonprofit organization partnered…
Read MoreVirginians challenge Gov. McAuliffe on energy policy, climate
Grassroots Alliance Calls for a ‘March on the Mansion’ in July to Demand Clean Power Contact: Kelly Trout, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org Amanda Pohl, Virginia Organizing, 804-337-1912, amanda@virginia-organizing.org Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org RICHMOND, Va. – An unprecedented alliance of groups and leaders released an open letter to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe…
Read MoreReports show need for energy efficiency financing in western NC
Contacts: Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices, 828-262-1500, rory@appvoices.org Amber Moodie-Dyer, Appalachian Voices, 828-262-1500, amber@appvoices.org Daniel Kauffman, ResiSpeak, 919-812-5657, dk@resispeak.com BOONE, N.C. — Two reports released today by Appalachian Voices show how effective home energy efficiency improvements can be for saving families money and the tremendous customer demand in western North Carolina for accessible, upfront financing to…
Read MoreGroups force strong pollution controls on Virginia gas plant
Contact: Evan Johns, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, 434-738-186, ejohns@appalmad.org Hannah Wiegard, Appalachian Voices, 804-536-5598, hannah@appvoices.org Ben Weiner, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, 804-225-9113 Ex. 1002, benjamin.weiner@sierraclub.org RICHMOND, Virginia – In response to extensive comments from citizens and conservation groups, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has imposed precedent-setting protections against greenhouse gases and other air pollutants…
Read MoreNCDEQ wants changes to coal ash law before finalizing rankings
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality announced on Wednesday tentative closure deadlines for coal ash ponds at Duke Energy facilities across the state. A statement from Appalachian Voices’ N.C. Campaign Coordinator Amy Adams: “Residents threatened by Duke Energy’s coal ash want results, not headlines. Today’s announcement has no guarantee that DEQ is taking swift and…
Read MoreAppalachian Voices congratulates BRE on launch of Energy SAVER Loan Program
Contact: Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices Director of Energy Policy, (828) 262-1500, Rory@AppalachianVoices.org Members of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation (BRE) have a new way to pay for improving the energy efficiency of their homes thanks to BRE’s new Energy SAVER Loan Program. BRE provides electricity to more than 74,000 residents of all or parts of…
Read MoreAppalachian river among America’s “Most Endangered Rivers”
Contact: Jessie Thomas-Blate, American Rivers, 202-347-7550 Tarence Ray, Appalachian Voices, 276-679-1691 Save the Russell Fork! Send a quick comment to the Virginia governor and regulators to reject the mountaintop removal coal mine permit. Washington, D.C.- American Rivers named Central Appalachia’s Russell Fork River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2016 today, shining a national spotlight…
Read MoreDEQ flip-flops on drinking water safety
PRESS STATEMENT For immediate release, March 8, 2016 At a meeting in Lee County yesterday, officials at the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reversed their previous position and told citizens their well water was safe to drink despite elevated levels of certain contaminants associated with coal ash.…
Read MoreRe-route of fracked gas pipeline threatens new areas of Va., West Va.
Contact: Ben Luckett, Staff Attorney, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, 304-645-0125 Hannah Wiegard, Appalachian Voices, hannah@appvoices.org, 804-536-5598 Drew Gallagher, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, drew@chesapeakeclimate.org Kirk Bowers, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, kirk.bowers@sierraclub.org Dominion Energy announced plans today to re-route the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline through Highland, Bath and Augusta counties. The new route comes in response…
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