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

Objecting to Duke’s Proposed Rate Hikes

Appalachian Voices stands in firm opposition to Duke Energy’s proposed rate hikes to pay for their dirty energy.

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Taking Legal Action to Clean Up Belews Creek Coal Ash

Thanks to a lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center, Duke Energy will have to answer for its illegal coal ash pollution of the Dan River Basin.

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Neighbors angered by latest coal ash news about Duke Energy

The latest news over Duke Energy’s handling of the coal ash crisis in North Carolina has many impacted citizens worried – but perhaps not shocked at the utility’s ongoing duplicity on the issue.

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Boo! Should Duke Energy’s shift from electricity rates to mandatory fees scare us?

In addition to the thousands of customers, NC’s customer advocate has come out strongly against Duke Energy Progress’s 14 percent rate hike. There’s even more to the story when you dig in …

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Virginia cannot approve proposed natural gas pipelines lacking critical information about impacts on state waters

Appalachian Mountain Advocates * Chesapeake Bay Foundation *…

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Upset residents say NO to Duke Energy rate hikes

Hundreds of upset electricity customers attended a series of hearings regarding a 16.7 percent rate hike proposed by Duke Energy Progress. Public comments will be taken through Nov. 19

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