Written by Kevin Ridder
Kevin Ridder
Born in Arizona and raised in Tennessee, Kevin’s love of the mountains drove him to move even further east to Boone, N.C., where he serves as The Appalachian Voice's Associate Editor and a communications associate for the organization.
Appalachian Power Restricts Solar Savings in Virginia
Public schools and other government entities in Virginia are unable to take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of solar due to restrictive policies put in place by Appalachian Power.
A High Price for Low-Quality Water
Residents of Martin County, Ky., and many other rural communities often deal with contaminated water despite exorbitant monthly bills.
MVP Ordered to Halt Work, Buckingham Gets Day in Court
Federal regulators ordered Mountain Valley Pipeline developers to halt work in mid-October, and a community’s legal challenge against a proposed compressor station in Union Hill, Va., moved forward.
Kentucky Agency and Conservationists Fight Proposed Gas Pipeline
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest are fighting a proposed Louisville Gas & Electric natural gas pipeline that would cut through the protected woodland.
Rate Hike Provision Backed by Duke Energy Fails to Pass NC Legislature
The North Carolina General Assembly removed a controversial provision from a ratemaking bill that would have allowed Duke Energy to enact multi-year rate hikes.
West Rim Loop Trail
A hike through Cloudland Canyon State Park reveals spectacular views of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Black Lung Association Responds to the Deadly Disease’s Rise
The Black Lung Association has a storied history of fighting for miners’ rights to occupational healthcare. Today, that fight continues as rates of the disease continue to climb.
Workers Push for Pay After Bankruptcy
After Blackjewel and Revelation Energy declared bankruptcy in July, the companies retroactively withdrew paychecks from their former employees’ bank accounts, triggering a nearly two-month long protest and several court battles.
A Pilot Program’s Uncertain Record
Some projects receiving federal funds for economic development near abandoned mines have strong community support; others, not so much.
North Carolina and Virginia Announce Clean Energy Goals
The governors of North Carolina and Virginia both announced clean energy goals that include full carbon neutrality in the power generation sector by 2050
