Press Releases
New map tracks growing threat of mountaintop removal
Contacts: Matt Wasson, Program Director, 828-262-1500, matt@appvoices.org Erin Savage, Central Appalachian Campaign Coordinator, 828-262-1500, erin@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Communications Director, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org A new interactive map released today shows that mountaintop removal coal mining has been expanding closer to communities in Central Appalachia in recent years, posing increasing threats to human health and the environment even…
Read MoreVirginia environmental chief supporting weaker coal ash rule
Contact: Amy Adams, N.C. Campaign Coordinator, 828-262-1500, amy@appvoices.org Cat McCue, Communications Director, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org The following is a statement from Amy Adams in response to testimony today by David Paylor, director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, to the House Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy regarding “Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of…
Read MoreGroups Sue Kentucky Mining Company
Contacts: Eric Chance, Appalachian Voices, 828-262-1500, eric@appvoices.org Ted Withrow, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, 606-782-0998, tfwithrow@windstream.net Pat Banks, Kentucky Riverkeeper, 859-200-7442, kyriverkeeper@eku.edu Pete Harrison, Waterkeeper Alliance, 828-582-0422, pharrison@waterkeeper.org Adam Beitman, Sierra Club, 202-675-2385, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org Pikeville, Ky. – A coalition of citizens groups today filed a federal lawsuit against Frasure Creek Mining, LLC, for submitting to the…
Read MoreWise County, Va. resident joins Appalachian Voices staff
Contact: Cat McCue, Communications Director, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org Adam Wells, Economic Diversification Campaign Coordinator, 276-679-1691, adam@appvoices.org Wise County, Va. – Appalachian Voices is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Wells, a sixth generation resident of Wise County, to our team of dedicated professionals. Appalachian Voices is a nonprofit conservation organization working to protect the mountains,…
Read MoreGroups Seek to Ensure Ky. Enforces Clean Water Law
Contacts: Eric Chance, Appalachian Voices, 828-262-1500, eric@appvoices.org Ted Withrow, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, 606-782-0998 (c), tfwithrow@windstream.net Pat Banks, Kentucky Riverkeeper, 859-200-7442, kyriverkeeper@eku.edu Pete Harrison, Waterkeeper Alliance, 828-582-0422, pharrison@waterkeeper.org Adam Beitman, Sierra Club, 202-675-2385, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org Frankfort – A coalition of citizens groups today filed a motion to intervene in a state enforcement action against Frasure Creek…
Read MoreDuke Energy guilty in N.C. coal ash pollution
Contact: Cat McCue, Communications Director, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org Duke Energy has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in the criminal investigation into the company’s handling of coal ash in North Carolina. According to a Duke Energy press release, the plea agreement includes $68.2 million in fines and restitution and $34 million for community service and…
Read MoreVa. Transportation Panel Acts on Controversial Highway
Contact: Cat McCue, Communications Director, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org The Commonwealth Transportation Board today voted to approve a re-routing of a 4-mile highway project near Grundy. The project, called “Section lllB,” is part of the overall proposed Coalfields Expressway in Southwest Virginia, which has drawn considerable controversy among local citizens and organizations. Several citizens addressed the board…
Read MoreN.C. Citizens Gather to Demand Cleanup of Duke Energy’s Coal Ash
Contacts: Sarah Kellogg, N.C. Field Organizer, 919-616-0830 Pictures of the event can be found here. Walnut Cove, N.C.– More than 50 concerned citizens gathered today at Belews Lake to demand the full cleanup of coal ash ponds across North Carolina, but especially the nearby site at Duke Energy’s Belews Creek Steam Station, the largest coal…
Read MoreHome Energy Contest Reveals Pressing Need in Western NC
Residents spend three times national average on energy bills Contact: Rory McIlmoil, Energy Policy Director, 828-262-1500, rory@appvoices.org Sarah Kellogg, North Carolina Field Organizer, 828-262-1500, sarah@appvoices.org Boone, N.C. — In announcing the three winners of its “High Country Home Energy Makeover Contest” today, Appalachian Voices said that the need for residential energy efficiency improvements in one…
Read MoreWinners of Home Energy Contest in N.C. to be Announced
Results show strong need for energy efficiency funding in the High Country Contact: Sarah Kellogg, N.C. Field Organizer, 828-262-1500, sarah@appvoices.org Boone, N.C. — Next Thursday, January 22, Appalachian Voices will announce the winners of its “High Country Home Energy Makeover” contest, each of whom will receive a comprehensive energy audit and home improvements from local…
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