Press Releases
Public interest groups unite to form Duke Energy watchdog
CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, rory@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Sr. Communications & Public Engagement Strategist, cat@appvoices.org WASHINGTON – A coalition of public interest, social justice, watchdog and environmental groups are joining forces to hold Duke Energy, the largest investor-owned U.S. electric utility, accountable for its policies, which impact almost 8 million Americans in six states…
Read MoreCoal miners call on Congress for support amidst dual threats from black lung and COVID-19
CONTACT: Rebecca Shelton, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, rshelton@aclc.org Willie Dodson, Appalachian Voices, willie@appvoices.org (NOTE: Several miners and their family members are available for interviews; images are also available; please contact Rebecca or Willie.) The president of the Black Lung Association (BLA), members of Women of Black Lung, and officers of eleven local BLA chapters across…
Read MoreOld Dominion Power raises rates on Southwest Virginians amid economic crisis
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org 276-679-1691 The Virginia State Corporation Commission has approved a rate increase request from Old Dominion Power, which will add about $20 to average residential monthly bills in its Southwest Virginia service effective May 1. The move came despite a plea from the region’s state legislators that the…
Read MoreVa governor signs pipeline bill that protects consumers
CONTACT: Cat McCue 434-293-6373 cat@appvoices.org This week, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed into law HB 167, which protects utility customers from paying for large new gas pipeline costs if the State Corporation Commission (SCC) determines that new pipeline capacity is not necessary for reliability and is not the least-cost way to meet electricity demand. Delegate…
Read MoreSouthwest Virginia seeks partners for solar development
CONTACT: Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development, adam@appvoices.org, 276-679-1691 Norton, VA — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia today released a Request for Information (RFI) for a “co-development concept” for commercial-scale solar projects throughout the seven-county coalfield region. The workgroup seeks to enter into an agreement to collaboratively identify, design and develop…
Read MoreGroups call for stop to electricity cutoffs in Tennessee Valley due to pandemic
CONTACT: Daniel Tait, Energy Alabama dtait@alcse.org (256) 812-1431 Bri Knisley, Appalachian Voices brianna@appvoices.org (865) 219-3225 More than a dozen organizations in Tennessee and Alabama have called on the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) to urge its member utilities to immediately halt service disconnection and late fees for families during the coronavirus pandemic. In a…
Read MoreNC governor orders halt to utility shutoffs during pandemic
CONTACT: Al Ripley, Director Consumer, Housing and Energy Project NC Justice Center (919) 274-8245 al@ncjustice.org Rory McIlmoil, Senior Energy Analyst Appalachian Voices (828) 262-3385 rory@appvoices.org Today, Gov. Roy Cooper announced an order directing all electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities operating in the state to suspend service shutoffs, late payment fees and reconnection fees to…
Read MoreNC groups call for prohibition of all utility shut-offs in state due to covid-19
CONTACT: Al Ripley, Director Consumer, Housing and Energy Project NC Justice Center (919) 274-8245 al@ncjustice.org Rory McIlmoil, Senior Energy Analyst Appalachian Voices (828) 262-3385 rory@appvoices.org RALEIGH — Nearly 30 organizations serving communities across North Carolina sent a letter today commending the NC Utilities Commission for its recent order directing all utilities it regulates to immediately…
Read MoreAdvocates call on Congress for urgent action to help coal communities
CONTACT: Thom Kay, Senior Legislative Representative, thom.kay@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Senior Communications Strategist, cat@appvoices.org Washington, D.C. – More than 100 organizations have added their names to a sign-on letter urging leaders in the House of Representatives to prioritize several bills that would aid coal-impacted communities across America. These bills have stalled in Congress, despite bipartisan support…
Read MoreSolar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia seeks bids for residential Solarize program
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager chelsea [at] appvoices.org, 276-679-1691 Norton, VA — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for partnership in the Southwest Virginia 2020 Residential Solarize Program. This program will provide solar installation services for homeowners, small businesses, and farms in the seven-county coalfield region…
Read More