Press Releases
Southwest Virginia communities first in Central Appalachia to achieve national recognition for advancing solar energy
Saint Paul, VA, July 25, 2019 – Eight Southwest Virginia communities have achieved designation under the national SolSmart program for encouraging the growth of local solar energy markets, at a time when several major solar installations on schools, businesses, and community centers are poised to begin across the region. CONTACTS: Avery Palmer, The Solar Foundation,…
Read MoreEnergy Justice coalition reveals “pay-to-play” ties between Duke Energy, N.C. lawmakers
The Energy Justice North Carolina Coalition released a report today detailing the influence of Duke Energy’s campaign contributions on state legislators’ support for Duke-sponsored bills together with a new, interactive web tool that tracks political contributions from electric monopolies like Duke. Both the report and web tool are based on public data of nearly $1.7…
Read MoreVa regulators warns of higher bills wtih Dominion’s latest plan
The State Corporation Commission today issued a press release stating that it has approved Dominion Energy’s long-range plan, which it had previously rejected and asked the utility to revise. The SCC held that the new “Integrated Resource Plan” met the minimum legal requirements, but warned that it would significantly increase customer’s monthly bills, writing: “We…
Read MoreU.S. Department of Labor reverses course on Job Corps Center closures
CONTACTS: Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development adam@appvoices.org, 276-807-8269 Cat McCue, Communications Director cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 The Department of Labor announced late yesterday that it is withdrawing its proposal to close nine federal job-training centers around the country, including the Flatwoods center in Coeburn, Va. “We applaud our local and regional elected officials,…
Read MoreNorth Carolina denies water permit for MVP Southgate pipeline
Contact: Ridge Graham, 828-278-7493, ridge@appvoices.org Cat McCue, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has denied a key water quality permit for the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate, dealing the project a setback. The permit is required under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act and would allow the pipeline company to…
Read MoreWest Virginia groups take legal action to halt water quality violations at 15 coal facilities
CONTACTS: Erin Savage, Appalachian Voices Central Appalachian Program Manager, erin@appvoices.org, 206-769-8286 Alex Amend, Sierra Club Eastern Regional Communications Manager, alex.amend@sierraclub.org, 404-457-8937 CHARLESTON, WV — A coalition of West Virginian advocacy groups including the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Appalachian Voices, and the Sierra Club sent “notice…
Read MoreAppalachian citizens react to Trump administration proposal to close job-training centers
CONTACTS: Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development, adam@appvoices.org, 276-807-8269 Cat McCue, Communications Director, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 The Department of Labor today published notice in the Federal Register regarding proposed closure of nine federal job-training centers around the country. The Trump administration announced the news last Friday, as people were making plans and starting…
Read MoreSolar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia recognized in national competition
Contacts: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org, 276-207-9636 Cat McCue, Communications Director cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office has recognized the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia in a national competition that supports community groups for innovative solar programs and their ability to reach new markets. Known as the “Solar…
Read MoreNew coalition launches to reform Virginia energy policy
MEDIA CONTACTS Cat McCue, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org Cassady Craighill, 828-817-3328, cassady@cleanvirginia.org Peter Vicenzi, (202) 942-7621, pvicenzi@freedomworks.org Richmond – Nine organizations representing a wide range of public policy ideologies introduced the Virginia Energy Reform Coalition today, an unprecedented coalition united to reform Virginia’s energy market. Speaking from Richmond, coalition representatives announced their policy goals including implementing performance-based…
Read MoreDuke Energy boosted political donations to prep for major legislative initiative
CONTACT: Matt Wasson, Appalachian Voices matt@appvoices.org, 828-773-0788 Jim Warren, NC WARN jim@ncwarn.org, 919-416-5077 A report out today from a coalition of 14 community and environmental justice organizations reveals that Duke Energy skewed its political campaign contributions last year in order to gain support from Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue and other lawmakers instrumental in reviewing…
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