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Front Porch Blog

Updates from Appalachia

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Announcing the new and improved ACE Project website

ACEproject2The Appalachian Water Watch team is proud to announce the new and improved ace-project.org the website of the Appalachian Citizens Enforcement Project. Upgrades to the website help the efforts of citizen scientists and provide transparency for water quality monitoring processes.

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Get Ready: Confronting Carbon Pollution

outsource_newsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to reduce climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions from the nation’s existing power plants are expected to be unveiled on Monday, June 2. For environmental news junkies like us, this is the equivalent of the Super Bowl pre-game show. See what the buzz is about, and read our coverage of the rules in The Appalachian Voice.

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The Power of Energy Efficiency — Building a Stronger Economy for Appalachia (Part 3)

EE_seriesEnergy efficiency is merely one strategy that local governments, economic development agencies working with the rural electric co-op or municipal utilities might employ with the goal of diversifying the local economy. But the proven benefits of energy efficiency investments suggest it should be a key focus in any plan for local economic diversification.

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Appalachian Power wants higher bills for homeowners who go solar

Guest post by Virginia writer and lawyer Ivy Main:
Appalachian Power Company is seeking permission from utility regulators to impose new “standby” charges on residential customers who install solar systems larger than 10 kilowatts. The fee is included in the company’s latest rate proposal, now before the State Corporation Commission.

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Virginians demand an impact statement for the Coalfields Expressway

CFX_virginia_sqAppalachian Voices, our allies and supporters are standing up against the Coalfields Expressway proposal. Recent hearings have provided a opportunities to reach decision makers, and meetings in Lynchburg and Roanoke are still ahead. Join the chorus demanding a proper environmental study before the Coalfields Expressway, a mountaintop removal project masquerading as a highway, goes any further.

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