2014 — Issue 4 (Aug/Sept)
Quarry Opposition in Ky.
By Amber Ellis Citizens in Powell County, Ky., are not taking kindly to the threat of a new rock quarry atop Furnace Mountain courtesy of Red River Materials. More than 150 people discussed their questions and concerns at a public forum in April, but many left unsatisfied. They responded by creating a petition to stop…
Read MoreThe Energy Report Round-Up
By Brian Sewell Dan River Coal Ash Cleanup “Complete” After removing approximately six percent of the coal ash it spilled into the Dan River in February, Duke Energy announced it has “completed cleanup efforts” to remove coal ash from the river in North Carolina and Virginia. The Dan River Basin Association, a local group working…
Read MoreKy. Proposes Updates to Coal General Permit
By Brian Sewell New permitting rules could have far-reaching implications for Kentucky coal mines, processing facilities and the streams that carry away their waste. The state’s “general permit,” which is updated every five years, is available to coal companies seeking pollution discharge permits judged to have a lesser environmental impact than larger operations. Currently, pollution…
Read MoreNorth Carolina Coal Ash Bill Pending
By Brian Sewell On July 14, the N.C. Senate voted unanimously to reject the state House’s revised version of the Coal Ash Management Plan, which weakened the cleanup requirements in the Senate’s original bill. Now, a committee with members of both chambers must craft a compromise bill. Sen. Tom Apodaca, who sponsored the Senate bill,…
Read MoreCourt Favors EPA on Mountaintop Removal
By Brian Sewell A federal appeals court ruled unanimously in July that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to coordinate with other federal agencies during the mountaintop removal permitting process. In 2009, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began coordinating their review of permits associated with large-scale mountaintop removal coal…
Read MoreN.C. Circumvents Supreme Court Ruling On Groundwater Contamination
By Kimber Ray Lawsuits filed by citizens exposed to toxic tap water in Asheville, N.C., and Camp Lejeune Marine Corp Base, N.C., will now be able to move forward, thanks to legislation signed into law this July by North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory. The bill clarifies that the state’s deadline for filing personal injury claims…
Read MoreSurface Mine Near State Forest Meets Opposition
By Brian Sewell A mountaintop removal permit in West Virginia is causing significant backlash because of its proximity to a cherished state forest and residential areas. Located along the eastern boundary of Kanawha State Forest in Kanawha County and a few miles from downtown Charleston, the 414-acre KD Mine No. 2 received approval from regulators…
Read MoreGreening the Ivory Tower: Smart institutions find smart ways to save energy
Energy efficiency is a smart investment, so it makes sense that some of our smartest institutions –– colleges and universities –– are actively pursuing it. Schools across the nation are building “deep green” residence halls, updating old campus buildings, and implementing innovative heating and electrical systems to slash their carbon emissions and environmental Learn more about the greening efforts at five colleges in Appalachia.
Read MoreOne Appalachian College Strives to Reforest Haiti
By Carvan Craft Growing Sustainable Students RELATED STORIES Greening the Ivory Tower: Smart institutions find smart ways to save energy Students lead divestment campaign against fossil fuels One Appalachian college strives to reforest Haiti Five schools make the switch to landfill gas power Campuses compete for Gold by being green Sewanee – The University of…
Read MoreStudents Lead Fight Against Fossil Fuels
Across Appalachia, students are stepping up to push their colleges and universities to a greener level. Creative competitions, thoughtful partnerships and energy-efficient construction are helping campuses advance environmental stewardship from the ground up.
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