RockingChair

Front Porch Blog

Updates from Appalachia

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Community members in the French Broad electric co-op service area in western NC attend a forum on energy efficiency.

French Broad communities broadly support on-bill financing

Our recent “French Broad Community Energy Forum” in western North Carolina brought together more than 60 residents and representatives of local government, community service agencies, and businesses to learn and talk about the advantages of providing upfront financing for residents to make home energy efficiency improvements.

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A map of the Doe Branch Mine and watershed connections to the Russell Fork River. At a recent hearings Southwest Virginians shared their concerns about Doe Branch with state regulators.

Southwest Virginians speak out against Doe Branch Mine

“God gave us the water so we can stay clean, and so we can drink it. I don’t want poison in the water.” Those are the words of 6-year-old Levi Marney, spoken to representatives of the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy at a public meeting about the proposed Doe Branch mountaintop removal mine in Haysi.

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We stand together

An important message from our executive director, Tom Cormons: Today, more than ever, we need to stand together and support each other to defend the health of Appalachia’s communities, our irreplaceable natural heritage, and the future of the planet. We know you are with us.

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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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