The Appalachian Voice
Visions for the Future: Build It Up, W.Va.
The opinions expressed in Viewpoints are those of the author’s and are not necessarily reflected by The Appalachian Voice By Joe Gorman Appalachia’s population is aging and its youth are leaving. This is a critical moment: for a sustainable future we need to give youth a reason to stay here. Currently, the Appalachian economy is…
Read MoreAcknowledging A Time For Transition
A friend of mine has a son who is serving in Afghanistan. His home is in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, where tourism and a sizable state-run university dictate a relatively stable economy and jobs to be had once he—God willing—returns. But there are many such sons and daughters with homes in coalfield regions…
Read MoreA Glance at the Political Landscape of Appalachia
By Derek Speranza What is in store for the future of Appalachia? With midterm elections approaching in November, it might be more appropriate to ask: who is in store for the future of Appalachia? Inextricably tied to its deep-seated history of coal, yet looking toward the future of sustainable energy, the Appalachian region is in…
Read MoreNatural Gas, Is it Right for Appalachia?
By Derek Speranza It’s the middle of July in West Trenton, N.J. More than 600 protesters have gathered outside a meeting of the Delaware River Basin Commission, speaking out to protect the region’s drinking water and water reserves from contamination. The issue? Natural gas drilling – a controversial practice that has been by some labeled…
Read MorePond Scum Solutions: Turning Pollution Into Fuel
By Maureen Halsema The concept is simple—take one of the most effective photosynthetic life forms on earth and put it to work. The secret weapon: algae. Algae are organisms that grow quickly in aquatic environments via photosynthesis, CO2 and nutrients, and they can be used to produce biomass and biofuel. Algae have several advantages over…
Read MoreBiofuels: Local Gives Way to Large Scale
By Bill Kovarik ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Melita Kyriakou watches as a big blue fuel truck with a green biodiesel logo grinds past the fuel tanks, under the bridge and up the hill – off on another delivery to one of the four biodiesel retailers in the mountain city. The good news, for Blue Ridge Biodiesel,…
Read MoreEcono-vironment
Communities across Appalachia strive to ensure the economic and environmental health of their region by launching innovative programs focused on long-term solutions. Stories by Julie Johnson Since September of 2001, over 6,400 West Virginia National Guardsmen have served in multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently, there are 998 active military reservists that will…
Read More“Appalachia Rising” To Rise Up in D.C.
By Jillian Randel A weekend of mobilizing will take place in Washington D.C., September 25-27, designed to help citizens learn what they can do to help end mountaintop removal coal mining. The Voices of the Mountains Conference, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, will feature workshops and panel discussions about Appalachia, civil disobedience, and the issues…
Read MoreOld Dominion Postpones Seeking Air Permits for Proposed VA Power Plant
By Sandra Diaz Wise Energy for Virginia coalition, a coalition of several environmental organizations whose mission is help secure a clean energy future for Virginia, has recently seen progress in their campaign to stop construction of a new coal-fired power plant in the Hampton Roads area proposed by Old Dominion Electric Co-op (ODEC). ODEC recently…
Read MoreStewards of the Rock
Story and Photos by Megan Naylor Bouldering is a sport of strength, power and dynamics focusing on pure contact with the rock, free from harnesses, ropes and racks of gear. It brings both climber and rock together in a rhythmic balance of fluid grace and technical moves. What began as a niche sport is now…
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