RockingChair

Front Porch Blog

Updates from Appalachia

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Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy

National Weatherization Assistance Program Turns 40!

Forty years ago the federal government launched the National Weatherization Assistance Program to help residents combat high heat costs. In celebration of this anniversary, we take a look at the history of the program and see how far energy efficiency has come in four decades — yet also recognizing things we still need to do to make everyone’s home heating costs more affordable.

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A sign in eastern Montgomery County, Va., announces local opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Why stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline?

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is taking public comments from citizens regarding the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline, which would carry fracked gas through W.Va. and Va. It’s a important chance for citizens to voice their concerns on-the-record. Read some of the reasons why Virginia Campaign Coordinator Peter Anderson is speaking out against the pipeline.

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Saying no to a fracked-gas future

From the West Coast to the Dakotas to Appalachia, our country is at an energy crossroads. We can continue building up fossil fuel infrastructure, like the massive fracked-gas pipelines being proposed, degrading our treasured landscapes and waterways, and posing health and safety risks to thousands of families. Or, we can invest in truly clean energy, create jobs, curb climate impacts and build a sustainable future. The choice is clear.

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Boone community comes together to tackle energy waste

At the first-ever Boone Energy Stakeholder Meeting, Appalachian Voices and other stakeholders took an important first step toward identifying solutions that could help tackle the problem of energy waste for the Town of Boone.

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More than a million tons of coal ash at Duke Energy's H.F. Lee plant along the Neuse River were submerged by flood waters after Hurricane Matthew. Photo on Flickr by Waterkeeper Alliance

Hurricane Matthew flooding elevates coal ash concerns

Earlier this month, North Carolina was devastated by the impacts of Hurricane Matthew. Flooding occurred across much of the state, with the hardest impacts felt in the east and among communities that are least able to bounce back from such a catastrophic event. While the flood waters are still receding, we are learning about the impacts left in their wake.

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