Blog Archives

The Appalachian Voice

Communities Speak Out on Clean Energy, Safety

A man with white hair stands at a podium that bears the logo TVA.

Members of local communities and environmental groups demand TVA prioritize safety and clean energy. TVA CEO Jeff Lyash announces a Notice of Intent to build yet another gas plant and pipeline.

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Saving the Tiny Bog Turtle Could Have a Big Impact on Conservation

a dark bog turtle with yellow markings on its neck

A petition to protect southern bog turtles under the Endangered Species Act could also help protect their mountain bog homes. But with diminishing habitat and other threats, time could run out for North America’s smallest turtles.

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Left High and Dry After the Flood

Debris covers one side of a damaged bridge that once connected a blue house to the roadway in the foreground. Receding water reveals badly eroded creek banks.

Gaps in aid and a cumbersome application process are complicating the recovery process for Buchanan County government and residents in the aftermath of flooding that happened in July 2022.

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Regulators Poised to Update Miners’ Protections from Silica Dust

man stands at podium in front of statue of a miner, banner in background says "Black Lung Association"

Expected new silica dust regulations in mines could combat the rise of black lung disease. However, the effects of an ongoing federal silica enforcement initiative remain unclear.

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Black Lung Resurgence Drives Push to Protect Coal Miners Against Silica Dust

Silica dust is behind a dramatic increase in the number of miners becoming ill with the most severe form of black lung disease.

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Nuclear Company Pursues Plans to Refine Uranium in Erwin, Tennessee

Person speaks from podium

As Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., pursues plans to begin producing refined uranium in Erwin, Tenn., local environmental and safety advocates are objecting.

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Landfill Remediation Raises New Concerns

An older woman and man stand at a podium, with people seated on either side. Photo is taken from the perspective of an audience member several rows from the stage

As remediation of the troubled Bristol landfill begins, community advocates are petitioning for an alert system, increased air quality monitoring and relief measures for residents who experience strong airborne pollution at home.

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Northern Long-Eared Bats Added to Endangered Species List

bat head and wings

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently classified northern long-eared bats as endangered, which could help save the species most impacted by the deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.

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Are We Really Recycling?

pile of empty plastic and aluminum containers

A look at our recycling systems reveals less of our plastic is actually being recycled than one might think.

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Clearing the Air on How Wood Pellet Factories Affect Their Neighbors and the Climate

aerial view of the Sampson wood pellet plant

The wood pellet industry is growing in the American South, but communities near wood pellet plants are seeing damages to air and water quality. As new facility proposals from wood pellet companies like Enviva continue, local residents and regional climate activists are speaking out.

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