The Appalachian Voice
Court 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.
Read MoreAppalachia’s Environmental Votetracker: Aug./Sept. 2014 issue
See how Appalachia’s congressional delegation voted on environmental issues.
Read MoreAt What Cost?
Concerns about Duke’s toxic coal ash have prompted Annie Brown and dozens of other community members to meet regularly since July 2013 to discuss how to get it out of their neighborhood once and for all. The group, which calls itself “Residents for Coal Ash Cleanup,” has recently grown in size, becoming more outspoken and more certain of their demands.
Read MoreClinch Water Revival: Ecotourism on the River
By Kimber Ray No one could fail to notice Clinch River Adventures. Just off the banks of the Clinch River, this tubing, canoeing and kayaking outfitter is housed in a bright red caboose with the town’s name, St. Paul, painted on the side. But the colorful building is far from the most prominent attribute people…
Read MoreAppalachian University Builds Home With Solar Flare
Appalachian State University, partnered with a French university, will be the sole representative of Appalachia’s green ingenuity in the third European Solar Decathlon Appalachian State University’s net-zero energy home, shown above under construction in Boone, N.C., will compete in the event.
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