The Appalachian Voice
National Attention on Pesticides
By Amber Ellis A recent study from the University of California claims that pregnant women living within a mile of farms using popular agricultural pesticides were 60 percent more likely to have a child with developmental delays or autism. And new research indicates that pesticides are also a growing threat to pollinators and, by extension,…
Read MoreHead in Clouds, Feet on Trail: Kentucky’s Cloudsplitter 100
By Amber Ellis Come Oct. 4-5, folks from all over the United States and the world will be arriving in Pine Mountain, Ky. for the state’s first 100-mile race. The Cloudsplitter 100 is endorsed by USA Track & Field as an official mountain, ultra and trail-running championship. There will be accompanying races of 25, 50…
Read MoreRural Broadband Access Expansion
By Amber Ellis Rural America can look forward to a more connected future because a federal court in May upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to subsidize high-speed Internet service in remote areas. The $4.5 billion initiative previously provided telephone service subsidies to only high-cost areas, but the FCC identified broadband access as “a necessity…
Read MoreNew Law Helps Cyclists in Virginia
Bicyclists in Virginia can breathe easier now that the minimum distance for passing motorists has increased from two to three feet. At the time of the law’s passage, Virginia was number 18 on the annual ranking of bicycle friendly states by the League of American Bicyclists.
Read MoreStudy Shows Steep Decline in Fish Populations Near Mountaintop Removal
A study from researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey published in July provides strong new evidence that mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia is devastating downstream fish populations.
Read MoreNew Moth Named to Honor Cherokee
The Cherokeea attakullakulla now boasts a name of high distinction. A researcher first described the moth in the 1950s, but it was not until this summer that a team of scientists published a report recognizing it as an unidentified species native to North Carolina and Tennessee. Once a nameless moth drifting through Appalachia, its name…
Read MoreQuarry 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,…
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