The Appalachian Voice
Thousands of West Virginia Acres to Become Public Land
The Conservation Fund purchased nearly 19,000 acres of West Virginia land in December and plans to transfer it to the state for hunting and habitat protection.
Read MoreRockwool Proposal Draws Criticism and West Virginia Constitutional Challenge
Some residents of Jefferson County, W.Va., are resisting the Danish stone wool insulation manufacturing company’s proposal to build a plant that would emit large amounts of volatile organic compounds.
Read MoreBeckley Protects LGBTQ Residents
Beckley, W.Va., officials added “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to a list of official protected minorities in the city.
Read MoreSolar Projects Advance in Southwest Virginia
The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia is helping to kickstart a second commercial-scale solar purchase program along with a bill that would support Virginia solar advances in the state legislature.
Read MorePush for N.C. Coal Ash Cleanup Enters Final Stages
We joined North Carolinians living near Duke Energy’s coal ash dumps in telling the state that capping the toxic pits instead of moving the material away from water sources is a non-starter.
Read MoreAsking N.C. Lawmakers to Reject Duke’s Money Grab
In January, we joined NC WARN to call on our elected leaders to reject Duke Energy’s anticipated grid plan that would allow the monopoly utility to enact up to $13 billion in rate hikes.
Read MoreHellos and Goodbyes
We welcome three amazing new members to our team and say a fond farewell to one.
Read MoreKentuckians Petition State to Block Surface Mining Near Two Towns
Filers of the petition argue that future surface coal mining near Benham and Lynch, Ky., would harm residents’ health and enjoyment of the area, as well as the towns’ historic character and attempts to attract tourism.
Read MoreFunding for Black Lung Benefits Halved
A tax on coal companies funding benefits for former miners with black lung disease was halved at the first of the year.
Read MoreEPA Questions Benefits of Mercury Regulations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is changing the way it calculates the benefits of reducing mercury and air pollution emissions from coal-fired power plants, which advocates fear could lead to looser pollution limits in the future.
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