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

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Three reform candidates are challenging incumbent Rappahannock Electric Cooperative board members and are pledging to revise co-op policies around transparency and renewable energy if elected in August.

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Customer-owned utilities should be leaders on clean energy. Why do most of them fail to deliver?

Clean energy expert Ivy Main looks at how a lack of transparency and democracy at many Virginia electric cooperatives is causing them to fall behind on renewable energy. Member-owners at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative are trying to change that.

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Va regulators warns of higher bills wtih Dominion’s latest plan

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As Duke Energy contests cleanup, new evidence points to coal ash risks

As Duke Energy appeals the state of North Carolina’s coal ash cleanup order, new information points to the severity of the problem and why coal ash excavation is needed.

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When “clean” energy isn’t

Once the planet’s temperature rises 1.5 degrees Celsius due to global warming, “the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse polish off their martinis, look at each other, and say, ‘It’s go time.’”

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