Press Releases
16,000+ citizens demand unbiased review of fracked-gas Mountain Valley Pipeline proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over the past three months, more than 16,000 people have sent comments or signed petitions to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) demanding the agency do a thorough, accurate and unbiased review of the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline, and ultimately reject the project. Local groups and environmental organizations submitted hundreds of detailed…
Read MoreSenate bill signals hope for economy in Appalachian coal communities
Contact: Adam Wells, Economic Diversification Program Manager, 804-240-4372, adam@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Communications Director, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org NORTON, VA – A bill announced today by senators from four Appalachian states for $1 billion to repurpose abandoned coal strip mines for economic development projects marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to revitalize local communities in the…
Read MoreReport: Repurposing Virginia’s abandoned coal sites
Old coal sites ready for new life as greenways, solar farms and more — with federal investment CONTACT: Adam Wells, Appalachian Voices, 276-679-1691, adam@appvoices.org Gerald Collins, Coal Mining Engineering Services LLC, 276-220-0150, gerald1951@comcast.net Evan Fedorko, Downstream Strategies, 304-292-2450, efedorko@downstreamstrategies.com WISE COUNTY, VA — A report released today highlights the economic development potential of more than…
Read MoreCiting major gaps, groups call on federal agency to revise Mtn Valley Pipeline study
Contacts: Ben Luckett, Appalachian Mountain Advocates: (304) 645-0125 Laurie Ardison, Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights: (304) 646-8339 Kate Boyle, Appalachian Voices: (434) 293-6373 Anne Havermann, Chesapeake Climate Action Network: (240)396-1984 A coalition of 27 conservation and community groups is calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to revise or supplement its draft environmental impact…
Read MoreFirst national “Energy Efficiency Day” celebrated
Contact: Cat McCue, Communications Director 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org This Wednesday, October 5, a network of organizations and partners across the country will join together to promote the benefits of energy efficiency for the first-ever, nationwide “Energy Efficiency Day.” Appalachian Voices, a nonprofit organization based in Boone, North Carolina, will join in the efforts to raise awareness…
Read MoreCommunity and conservation groups condemn FERC’s review of proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline
Contact: Joe Lovett, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, 304-520-2324, jlovett@appalmad.org Laurie Ardison, Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights, 304-646-8339, ikeandash@yahoo.com Kirk Bowers, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, 434-296-8673, kirk.bowers@sierraclub.org Kelly Trout, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org Lara Mack, Appalachian Voices, 434-293-6373, lara@appvoices.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal regulators today released a draft environmental review for the proposed fracked-gas Mountain…
Read MoreOSMRE announces review of mountaintop removal health research
Contact: Erin Savage, Central Appalachia Campaign Coordinator, 206-769-8286 The federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) announced today that it will fund a $1 million review by the National Academy of Sciences of current research on the links between surface coal mining and human health risks. It comes more than a year after…
Read More600 ‘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…
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