RockingChair

Front Porch Blog

Updates from Appalachia

AV-mountainBorder-white-medium3

Bad actor coal company seeks to expand surface mine in endangered candy darter habitat

Surface mining of this scale is bad news for the environment even if it is conducted within the confines of the law, but South Fork Coal Company’s history of regulatory infractions is almost as egregious as Greenbrier County is beautiful.

Read More

EPA poised to botch update of important air quality rule

PM 2.5 is a lethal combination of metals, organic matter, acids and other substances so tiny that they can be inhaled and delivered directly into the bloodstream. These airborne pollutants are emitted by tailpipes, power plants and numerous other industries. In our region, coal mine dust is an additional source of this pollutant.

Read More

Five reasons why the Tennessee Valley Authority’s plans for a major gas buildout must be stopped

TVA is currently ignoring federal climate goals for a 100% carbon-free energy sector by 2035 to push forward a plan for the second-largest fossil fuel buildout of any utility in the country. These plans will line the pockets of two mega gas corporations, fuel climate change and devastate southeastern habitat and public health.

Read More

Carbon removal on reforested mine lands: One nature-based solution for two deep challenges

Imagine a landscape that, 10 years ago, was a moonscape mountaintop removal coal mine and is now carefully managed as a large-scale working forest growing trees to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and combat climate change. Appalachian Voices is exploring making this vision a reality in the years to come through a reforestation project that engages with the emerging carbon offset market.

Read More

North Carolina’s Carbon Plan: Planned gas expansion is unnecessary and harmful

The argument for methane gas relies heavily on outdated models that inflate the cost-effectiveness of the fuel. Replacing coal with renewable energy is now cheaper than replacing coal with continued fossil fuel use.

Read More