The Appalachian Voice
New Study Maps Increase in Land Disturbed by Coal Mining
A new study shows that surface mining has cleared 1.5 million acres of land between 1976 and 2015, and also showed a drastic increase in the ratio of land cleared to tonnage of coal produced over the last three decades.
Read MorePowell Valley Electric Co-op Members Raise Their Voices
Members of Powell Valley Electric Cooperative have launched a campaign to make their cooperative more transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of its communities. The group has three candidates running for board seats and submitted a bylaw amendment.
Read MoreTell Virginia’s Governor to Plan for Clean Energy
Virginia is drafting a state energy plan, so it’s time to tell Gov. Northam that we should work to replace an outdated, fossil-fuel based economy with a sustainable, clean energy economy
Read MoreEmpowering Citizens at the 2018 Water Justice Summit
Water defenders and community activists from across Central Appalachia and beyond gathered in Blacksburg, Va., earlier this summer to network, share stories and strategize to protect the region’s water. The day included workshops on topics such as water quality monitoring, organizing basics, media outreach and facilitation training. Community members whose water is imperiled by industrial…
Read MoreHelp Community Threatened by Compressor Station
Dominion Energy wants to build a massive compressor station for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in the historic African-American community of Union Hill in Buckingham County, Va. The giant engine would run 24/7, creating toxic air emissions and near-constant noise that could harm the health and well-being of nearby communities. Dominion needs an air pollution permit…
Read MoreA Fond Farewell
Appalachian Voices would like to bid a very fond farewell to our two Energy Savings AmeriCorps Project Conserve outreach associates, Katie Kienbaum and Becca Bauer, who both worked to bring energy efficiency to Western North Carolina. Katie worked with us for two service years, and leaves us for a full time position with the Institute…
Read MoreThe STAY Project Celebrates 10 Years
The Stay Together Appalachian Youth (STAY) Project, a youth-led organization of people ages 14 to 30 that aims to “make Appalachia a place young people can and want to stay,” celebrated 10 years in July.
Read MoreGiant Hogweed Sprouting up in Appalachia
New patches of Giant Hogweed, a toxic non-native invasive species, have been found in the eastern U.S., including Western North Carolina and parts of Virginia.
Read MoreSolSmart Designation in Works for Southwest Virginia
Several counties and towns in Southwest Virginia received a federal grant to help develop solar energy in the area.
Read MoreClinch-Powell Clean Rivers Initiative Extended
State and federal agencies will continue working together to protect and restore the Clinch-Powell watershed in Tennessee and Virginia over the next 10 years.
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