Front Porch Blog
Updates from Appalachia
Coal ash cleanup decision a huge victory for North Carolina!
On April 1, North Carolina announced its decision to require Duke Energy to fully excavate the six remaining coal ash sites across the state — a big victory in the year’s long fight against the energy utility’s negligence.
Banning fracking worldwide
An international tribunal on human rights, fracking and climate change is calling for a worldwide ban on fracking. The community of Union Hill, Va., helped play a role in this historic occasion.
Projects to reclaim old coal sites get $10 million in federal grants
Ten economic development projects in Southwest Virginia have been selected to receive $10 through the Abandoned Mine Land Pilot Program, including a multi-use trail and a commercial solar farm.
Coalition explores innovative mine reclamation solutions in West Virginia
Members of the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition visited an abandoned mine in Mingo County, W.Va., slated to become the site of a solar-powered aquaponics agriculture facility.
Good – and not-so-good – mine reclamation projects
Congress has funded “pilot” projects to repurpose old coal sites in Appalachia for three years; the results show a clear need for a strong RECLAIM Act grounded in community-driven goals and environmental cleanup.