RockingChair

Front Porch Blog

Updates from Appalachia

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North Carolina Utilities Commission should make the right decision on Duke’s Carbon Plan

Why do legislators and those who blindly accept Duke’s promises act surprised when vague commitments around affordability result in ratepayers getting the short end of the stick? Why do they feign surprise when Duke Energy suggests missing a timeline they set for themselves? Why do they pretend to be shocked when years of advocacy and “compromise” result in a utility cherry-picking what they want, robbing Peter to pay Paul.

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Power plant pollution

Monitoring air quality across Appalachia

After a decade of focusing on water pollution from coal mining, Appalachian Voices’ coal impacts team is embarking on an ambitious project to monitor air pollution in communities impacted by coal mining and other fossil fuel infrastructure, and in other communities where air quality is an environmental justice concern.

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The choice for North Carolina’s energy future: high rates or renewable energy?

I live in Duke Energy Progress territory, covering the eastern part of North Carolina and South Carolina along with a little patch in western North Carolina including Buncombe County. Soon, Duke Energy Progress plans to raise our rates, and I’m not sure it’s justified.

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Pictures don’t do it justice, and neither would a pipeline

All of the abundant natural beauty and wildlife we observed could be threatened if gas giant Kinder Morgan has its way.

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Solar developments are bringing energy and jobs to Southwest Virginia

The recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at Wise Primary School for a new rooftop solar installation was the result of years of effort and the latest marker of success in the effort to diversify the economy of seven coalfield counties in Virginia.

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