Front Porch Blog
Updates from Appalachia
Who’s casting shadows over N.C. solar?
When it comes to jobs, pollution, and sustainability, energy from the sun beats energy from fracked gas hands down. So why are N.C. legislators and Duke Energy casting shadows over the state’s potential to become #1 in solar?
Residents in Mountain Valley path pipe up at hearing
Turnout was tremendous at the first of two public hearings where Virginians had a chance to share their stories and environmental concerns about the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline with federal energy regulators.
A new challenge to fracking in North Carolina
Clean Water for North Carolina and three residents of counties where fracking could occur are challenging the authority of the state to preempt local ordinances offering communities greater protections from the practice. Dozens of North Carolina counties and towns have already passed resolutions calling on the General Assembly to hand over control, while others urge lawmakers to reinstate the ban on fracking altogether.
Appalachian Crayfish: Canaries in a Coal Mine
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.
The economic impact of energy efficiency
Not only can energy efficiency retrofits reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills, they can make a substantial local economic impact. Appalachian Voices is working in the North Carolina High Country to promote and help develop programs that will benefit residents who are suffering from poorly constructed or aging homes, while also raising the market accessibility for companies already working to improve energy efficiency in our region.
