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

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Latest News

Duke Energy’s sham plan for net-zero carbon

Duke Energy’s failure to move quickly to clean energy would worsen global warming, put the public’s health at risk, and hurt North Carolina families and businesses.

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One million N.C. households at risk of losing electricity and water during pandemic

CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, Appalachian Voices,…

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Groups sue TVA over never-ending contracts

Appalachian Voices has joined three other organizations in a lawsuit that challenges the Tennessee Valley Authority’s long-term contracts with local power companies. These perpetual contracts undermine the local power companies’ bargaining power to negotiate for cleaner, cheaper electricity.

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Groups challenge TVA’s plan to lock local power companies into perpetual contracts

Contacts: Scott Smallwood | SELC | ssmallwood@selcga.org |…

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Utility affordability in the time of Coronavirus

Equitable access to affordable water and energy services — fundamental to human well-being and public health — has been a significant though largely unseen problem for decades. Then Covid struck.

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Duke Energy's W.S. Lee Natural Gas Power Plant

Legal action challenges Duke Energy’s buildout of unapproved gas-fired power units

CONTACT: Jim Warren, NC WARN, 919-416-5077, jim@ncwarn.org Jean…

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