Energy Democracy for All

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Energy Democracy is local people having control of how their electricity is produced and distributed to ensure everyone has access to affordable and clean power.

Two decades into the 21st century, advances in solar panels, battery storage, modernized electric grids and other technologies are revolutionizing how our electricity can be produced and distributed. But large utility companies with monopoly control over the market — such as Duke Energy and Dominion Energy — are keeping us locked into using increasingly expensive polluting fuels like coal and fracked gas to generate our electricity.

At the same time, the increasing impacts of global climate change, including dangerous heat waves and severe storms, are taking a toll on countless communities, but especially disadvantaged communities and communities of color. And monopoly utility companies charge ever higher rates while they knowingly continue to worsen the climate crisis.

But a movement toward Energy Democracy is growing across Appalachia and throughout the country. Local individuals and groups are standing up to demand a seat at the table with decision makers to ensure we transition to a system that is affordable and fair, provides community wealth and jobs, and is built on clean, renewable energy.

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Why Energy Democracy?

Learn how monopoly control and a focus on profit have locked us in a pattern of polluting fossil fuels and ever higher rates

Tell Congress: Support new power plant regulations

Our legislators need to support the EPA’s new rules to slash power plant pollution

Latest News

Funding to assist NC families with rent, utilities during Covid runs out today

CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices, rory@appvoices.org, (423) 433-9415…

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Duke Energy Center

Duke Energy Rate Hike Decision Expected in December

If approved, the rate increase could disproportionately impact low-income households in North Carolina.

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TVA’s Covid relief fund should be a starting point

We’ve joined dozens of organizations to demand that TVA provide funding for a moratorium on electricity shutoffs in the region and debt relief for families struggling from Covid-related economic hardship.

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Dominion holding out on struggling families

Virginia lawmakers must take this opportunity, now, to compel Dominion Energy to forgive debt of families and businesses struggling from the Covid-economic crisis.

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Energy cost hike would burden N.C. families

The Covid and economic crisis has laid bare the monthly struggle too many Americans have faced for a long time — whether to pay their electric bill or buy other essentials like food, medicine or school supplies and risk having their power shut off.

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More Than 1 Million North Carolinians Face Utility Shutoffs

The last of North Carolina’s moratoriums on utility shutoffs expired in August. While Gov. Roy Cooper allocated $175 million in rent and utility bill assistance, consumer advocates say that it won’t be nearly enough.

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