RockingChair

Front Porch Blog

Updates from Appalachia

AV-mountainBorder-white-medium3

DEQ dodges legitimate coal-ash safety concerns

Enabled by anti-regulatory powers in the legislature, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has abandoned the principles necessary to serve the public. It’s time for lawmakers to acknowledge DEQ’s failures and focus on moving forward on coal ash cleanup.

Read More

RECLAIMing Central Appalachia

From The Appalachian Voice: A rare bipartisan proposal aims to tackle two pressing issues related to the flailing coal industry — the need for new economic opportunities in central Appalachia and repairing environmental damage from decades of mining.

Read More

Energy efficiency success in western N.C.

We’re taking a moment to step back and celebrate a significant milestone in our Energy Savings for Appalachia program. Just a few days ago, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp. launched a financing program that enables eligible members to make energy efficient home improvements now, and repay the co-op on their monthly bills over time. It’s a win-win for residents, local economies and the environment.

Read More

Drinking water problems still plague eastern Kentucky

After a nearby creek ran bright yellow last month, residents of Martin County, Ky., still have questions for local and state officials — and that’s not uncommon in a county that has seen its fair share of coal slurry spills and municipal water problems. So why are so many officials ignoring the problem?

Read More
Pilot Mountain in Surry County. Photo by Joe Potato / iStockPhoto

The Energy Savings for Appalachia program is expanding: Part 2

After achieving success in the North Carolina High Country, we are expanding the Energy Savings for Appalachia campaign to the service territory of the Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation.

Read More