Stop Pipelines & Fracked Gas

Photo By Sierra Shamer / Fractracker
Two decades ago, so-called natural gas exploded on the American energy market, pushed by the industry as a supposedly clean “bridge” fuel to transition the economy from dirty coal to renewable sources of electricity generation like solar and wind.
But this gas is far from clean. From the time that it is extracted using a destructive drilling method called fracking, its transport through pipelines, train cars and trucks, to the power plants where it is burned, the dire environmental and human costs of this fossil fuel are now abundantly clear. In particular, this polluting infrastructure is often sited in communities of color, lower-income areas and other environmental justice communities.
Studies show that investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency are on par with, or sometimes more affordable than, building new gas infrastructure. Many states are enacting policies to tap into the rising solar and wind sector. Yet the fossil fuel industry is rushing to build methane gas pipelines and power plants to squeeze as much profit as possible out of the waning fuel, putting most of the financial risk on customers.
Appalachian Voices is tackling the spread of fracked gas head-on by legally challenging fossil fuel proposals and pushing back against the antiquated policies and rubber-stamping agencies that govern the development of gas infrastructure. We are also partnering with communities in the fight against new fossil fuel infrastructure, providing resources and training to bolster local opposition. And we are pressuring decision-makers to force them to consider the harm to communities threatened by polluting energy development.
And the tide is starting to turn. In July 2020, Duke Energy and Dominion Energy canceled the 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The massive fossil fuel project was riddled with problems, starting with the fundamental fact it was not needed to meet energy demand. Standing beside the many communities and organizations that made this historic victory possible, we’re taking this momentum and applying it toward the fight against other destructive, climate-harming projects that threaten community safety, our clean air and water, and that would raise electricity costs for residents.

The North Carolina House of Representatives will soon vote on SB 472, a bill that would reduce the Department of Environmental Quality’s review projects like methane gas pipelines to just FIVE DAYS. This is not enough time to allow for public input or ensure state waterways and communities are protected!

Latest News
Appalachian Voices files suit to stop fracked-gas Mountain Valley Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC — Late yesterday, a coalition of…
Despite vigorous opposition, Virginia water board approves conditional permit for Atlantic Coast Pipeline
CONTACT: Cat McCue, Director of Communications, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org…
Gov. Cooper should crack down on Duke Energy’s hazards
Recent revelations of collusion between Duke Energy and university scientists regarding coal ash should come as no surprise. Duke is, after all, a notorious corporate polluter on federal probation after pleading guilty to systemic violations of the Clean Water Act.
Groups challenge Virginia’s unlawful approval of fracked-gas Mountain Valley Pipeline
Contact: Ben Luckett, 859.552.6979, bluckett@appalmad.org Derek Teaney, 304.793.9007,…
Virginia Water Control Board ignores citizen concerns, expert comments and approves controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline
CONTACT: Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices, 434-953-8672, cat@appvoices.org Roberta…
Pipelines Clear Hurdles, Face Resistance
While the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines have obtained approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, they still face widespread opposition.