Energy Democracy for All

AV-mountainBorder-flip-white-thin

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.

AV-mountainBorder-white-medium1
Play Video

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

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Latest News

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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 …

Read More

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

Appalachian Mountain Advocates * Chesapeake Bay Foundation *…

Read More

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

Read More

Regional Coal Ash News: Toxic Cleanup, Legal Woes and EPA Changes

Over two dozen workers who helped clean up the December 2008 TVA coal ash disaster have died, and surviving workers and family members are suing. Duke Energy faces legal trouble for withholding dam safety information. The EPA is being challenged for retracting a 30-day public comment extension on coal ash guidelines.

Read More