Report Tracks Appalachian Coal’s Continuing Decline

By Brian Sewell A report released in May by the West Virginia-based consulting firm Downstream Strategies underscores the need for investment in Central Appalachian counties hardest hit by a decline in coal production and demand. By looking at market and regulatory factors, plus trends in the U.S. and abroad, the report offers a comprehensive examination…

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HIDDEN TREASURES #2 — Public Lands

Stories by Madison Hinshaw, Jillian Randel, Jamie Goodman and Molly Moore Welcome to part two in our exploration of the most amazing places in the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountains — this time exploring some of our most fabulous Public Lands. Take this pull-out section with you as you explore the Hidden Treasures of our…

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Coal River Makes America’s Most Endangered Rivers List — Again

By Anna Norwood Coal River in West Virginia has been named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers for 2012, ranking ninth on watchdog organization American Rivers’ list of the top 10 threatened waterways in the country. American Rivers cites mountaintop removal coal mining with contaminating Coal River.The report states that, “approximately 20 percent of the…

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Coal Financing Under Scrutiny

By Molly Moore Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo ranked as the five worst banks for coal financing in an annual report issued by Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack and Sierra Club. Banks were rated according to their investment in mountaintop removal coal mining and coal-fired power plants. The report…

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Meet the Incredible Environmental Duo

Tom Cormons, Deputy Director of Programs and Director of our Virginia office, and his wife Heather recently welcomed to the world not one, but two budding Appalachian Voices conservationists and whitewater rafting enthusiasts (if mom and dad have anything to say about it!). Cassie and her brother Kai join big sister Brooke in rounding out…

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Organizational Roundup

Coal Ash Debate Spills Into Transportation Bill Appalachian Voices’ Red, White and Water campaign is working to oppose an amendment on the federal Transportation Bill that would essentially halt the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rule-making process on toxic coal ash storage and disposal. The bill passed the House in April, and is now undergoing review…

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Storming Capital Hill

On June 2, more than 150 people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 7th annual End Mountaintop Removal Week in Washington, sponsored by The Alliance for Appalachia. After a day of training, participants spent three days meeting with Congressional representatives to urge them to support legislation restoring the Clean Water Act to its original language,…

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Appalachian Water Watch: Bringing Polluters to Justice, One Lawsuit at a Time

Appalachian Voices has joined the Sierra Club and Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards in filing suit against A & G Coal Corporation in Virginia. The suit, represented by the environmental law firm Appalachian Mountain Advocates, alleges that A & G has been polluting Virginia’s public waterways through unpermitted discharge of selenium. The unpermitted discharge violates both…

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Join Our 15th Anniversary Celebration

Just a few short weeks from our press date, Appalachian Voices will be celebrating its 15th anniversary of working to protect the air, land, water and communities of Appalachia. We hope you’re able to join us at the “Artists for Appalachia” event on June 21 in Charlottesville, Va., where we will enjoy a special evening…

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Translating Intentions Around Climate Change into Religious Action

By Mallory McDuff As climate change becomes more politicized in Congress, many religious leaders — from evangelicals to Episcopalians — have expressed more agreement than discord on the need to address the rising threat. Yet it’s often easier to acknowledge the urgency of the climate crisis than to translate that knowledge into action on a…

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