In the Southwest Virginia city of Norton, Appalachian Voices is supporting a project that would enhance recreation along the Guest River and clean up an abandoned coal tipple that is both an eyesore and a source of pollution. [ Read More ]
BLOGGER INDEX
AV's Intern Team
Every year, Appalachian Voices is fortunate to assemble a phenomenal team of rockstar interns from numerous Appalachian and East Coast universities. Enjoy these posts from our interns.New law puts coal ash progress in NC at risk
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
The rushed introduction, concurrence and signing of North Carolina House Bill 630 puts at risk many aspects of the progress that residents and environmental groups have made since the introduction of the Coal Ash Management Act in 2014. [ Read More ]
The importance of being earnest — about energy efficiency
Monday, July 11th, 2016 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments
Energy use and costs are higher in Appalachia than the national average, so when a high proportion of family income goes towards paying the utility bill, something needs to be done in order to reduce people’s electricity bills through improved home energy efficiency. [ Read More ]
Coal ash controversy continues in North Carolina
Tuesday, June 14th, 2016 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments
In May, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality released risk rankings for Duke Energy’s coal ash impoundments across the state following 15 public hearings. But those rankings could still change and a newly revived legislative battle is a sign that the controversy over coal ash cleanup in North Carolina will continue. [ Read More ]
Federal agency considers restricting surface mining in Tennessee
Monday, January 18th, 2016 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
Ridgeline corridors across a 67,000-acre area of Tennessee could be protected from surface mining. The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is considering granting the state's request for a ban. Submit your comment in support of the Cumberland Mountains before Jan. 25! [ Read More ]
N.C. General Assembly restricts local governments on fracking
Monday, October 19th, 2015 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments
In the final hours of the legislative session, the N.C. General Assembly approved Senate Bill 119, which contains a provision that invalidates local ordinances put in place to restrict fracking. The provision was added just days after commissioners in Stokes County approved a three-year moratorium on oil and gas operations in the county. [ Read More ]
Appalachian Regional Commission receives citizen input
Thursday, June 18th, 2015 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
On June 4, the Appalachian Regional Commission held one of its five 2016-2020 Strategic Plan Listening Sessions in Morehead, Ky. The session successfully facilitated the sharing of ideas by Appalachian stakeholders that will inform the commission’s plan for improving economic opportunities in communities across the region. [ Read More ]Solidarity in the Tar Heel State
Monday, June 1st, 2015 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments
The communities near Duke Energy's Belews Creek power plant and coal-ash dump in North Carolina have suffered a long time from water pollution. Now the state is poised to allow the natural gas industry to drill fracking wells nearby. Citizens are saying "enough." The NAACP announced a civil rights investigation at a recent press conference and took its protest to the state capitol at a "Moral Monday" rally. Appalachian Voices is standing in solidarity with these champions for environmental justice. [ Read More ]Appalachian Crayfish: Canaries in a Coal Mine
Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
Two species of crayfish native to Appalachia are in danger of becoming extinct after years of suffering habitat loss and water quality impacts attributable to mountaintop removal coal mining and other industrial activity. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agency is proposing the species be listed as endangered under federal law. Whether or not they are pushed past the point of no return depends largely on the outcome of a recent proposal by the agency to add them to the federal list of endangered species. [ Read More ]Aug./Sept. issue of The Appalachian Voice released!
Thursday, August 14th, 2014 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments
The latest issue of The Appalachian Voice features a wide range of stories. Read about everything from mountain bogs to fracking regulations and opportunities for rural Appalachian women in the online edtition of our bimonthly newspaper. [ Read More ]Study Confirms Air Pollution from Mountaintop Removal
Monday, March 3rd, 2014 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | 1 Comment
For generations, coal-mining communities in Appalachia have raised questions about local health problems, wondering whether or not they may be linked to pollution from nearby coal mines. A recent study conducted by a group of West Virginia University researchers has confirmed that suspicion, reporting that potentially dangerous air pollution levels are more likely in areas surrounding mountaintop removal coal mines than in mine-free communities. [ Read More ]Choose Your Own [Historical] Adventure: An Appalachian Travel Guide
Thursday, November 14th, 2013 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments
By Rachel Ellen Simon — Editorial Communications Intern, Fall 2013
A graduate student in Appalachian Studies, Rachel was a frequent contributor to The Appalachian Voice and worked as our Editorial Communications intern for Fall 2013.
From L to R: The Lost Sea of Sweetwater, Tenn.; Burke’s Gardens; Pocahontas Exhibition Mine.
When my editor first asked me to compile a list of “Historical Hidden Treasures,” I imagined my words guiding readers to ancient, geological wonders; down fossil-riddled hiking trails through former sea basins; deep into old growth forests squirming with endemic salamanders and a host of yet-undiscovered species. My brave readers would venture into the unknown to chart the unseen, name the unnamed, describe the unsung – all while practicing “leave no trace” trail ethics!
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