Energy Democracy for All
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.
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
State-Specific Info
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Latest News
Groups urge expansion of NC utility shutoff moratorium during Covid-19
CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, Appalachian Voices,…
Energy Burden in a Pandemic
Many families in Appalachia already struggled with high energy bills — and COVID-19 is making it even worse.
Virginia opens the door for independent proposals for solar projects in Southwest Virginia
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes 276-207-9636 chelsea@appvoices.org Cat McCue 434-293-6373…
Public interest groups unite to form Duke Energy watchdog
CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, rory@appvoices.org Cat…
It’s high time to abandon ship on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Try as they might, Dominion Energy and Duke Energy have never been able to justify the tremendous environmental and social costs of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline — nor the project’s economic burden on customers. As they meet with shareholders this week, they should abandon ship on this boondoggle.
What do Virginia’s new energy laws mean for the coalfields
New energy laws in Virginia provide significant opportunity for solar development in the state’s historic coalfields, but not enough direct support for communities hit by the clean energy transition.