The gold mining industry is eyeing central Virginia for a major expansion that could bring one of the most toxic industries to our state. Buckingham County is potentially ground zero. [ Read More ]
Virginians face threat from toxic gold mining
Saturday, January 9th, 2021 | Posted by Cat McCue | No Comments
Protecting our democracy in the face of violence means holding elected officials accountable
Friday, January 8th, 2021 | Posted by Front Porch Blog | No Comments
Every American and believer in democracy should be repulsed by the violent and seditious acts that occurred in the nation’s capital this week as the people’s elected representatives worked to finalize the lawful outcome of the presidential election. [ Read More ]
The new face of solar energy in Southwest Virginia
Monday, January 4th, 2021 | Posted by Guest Contributor | No Comments
Southwest Virginia native Matthew McFadden is the new Project Coordinator for an initiative to help advance solar energy in the region. [ Read More ]
Fight like hell for the living: Honoring Kingston coal ash workers
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 | Posted by Brianna Knisley | No Comments
Twelve years after the Kingston coal ash spill, hundreds of cleanup workers are sick with lung diseases, blood and brain cancers and other ailments, and families report that as many as 53 workers have died from their exposure to the toxic Kingston coal ash. [ Read More ]
Fighting for equitable land access in Southwest Virginia
Friday, December 11th, 2020 | Posted by Austin Counts | No Comments
Large, out-of-state companies often hold huge tracts of land in Southwest Virginia and across the region for its perceived coal or timber potential — making it difficult for nearby communities to use the land themselves. [ Read More ]
Energy democracy in Virginia: Utopia or a real possibility?
Thursday, December 10th, 2020 | Posted by Emily Piontek | No Comments
Energy democracy is taking shape in Virginia. Join our statewide workgroup and add your voice to the call for a clean, equitable energy system. [ Read More ]
In gratitude to Appalachian Voices’ outgoing and incoming board chairs
Monday, December 7th, 2020 | Posted by Molly Moore | No Comments
During this season of gratitude, we thank James "Kim" Gilliam for his six years of excellent leadership as Appalachian Voices Board Chair, and welcome new Board Chair Tracey Wright to her role. Read on to learn more about Tracey and Kim. [ Read More ]
Stake a claim in your electric co-op!
Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 | Posted by Emily Piontek | No Comments
The 2020 election season is over. But wait, there's more! Next year in Virginia, you have the opportunity to run for your local electric co-op board. [ Read More ]
Stopping a massive fracked-gas pipeline takes a village
Friday, November 20th, 2020 | Posted by Jessica Sims | No Comments
Some organize community meetings, some drive for hours to testify at hearings, some pray, some rally, some give detailed research to government agencies, some file lawsuits -- and some occupy tree-sits in protest. All stand against the unneeded, dangerous fracked-gas Mountain Valley Pipeline. [ Read More ]
Company’s bankruptcy makes it harder for residents to address problems with nearby mines
Thursday, November 19th, 2020 | Posted by Willie Dodson | No Comments
People living near a pair of Virginia mountaintop removal coal mines have long complained about blasting and dust. Now, the company’s bankruptcy makes it even harder for nearby residents to get relief. [ Read More ]
Virginia regulators poised to grant mining permits to questionable company
Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 | Posted by Willie Dodson | No Comments
As companies go bankrupt, they tend to pass off their mine mining permits — and the responsibility to reclaim them — to increasingly questionable entities. This is currently unfolding in Southwest Virginia, if the state mining agency allows it.
[ Read More ]
Southwest Virginia schools and local governments call for fair solar policies
Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 | Posted by Kevin Ridder | No Comments
Several public entities in the region are urging Appalachian Power Company to loosen their restrictive solar policies. On the sunnier side, Appalachian Voices and Iron Works Cycling secured a $25,000 grant for a solar array on the Big Stone Gap, Va., bicycle shop. [ Read More ]
