Blog Archives

N.C. Families Contend With Mounting Bills

food bank line

Faced with the threat of utility disconnection and even eviction in the pandemic, many North Carolinians are forced to decide between essentials.

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N.C. Advocates Call for State Action on Rent, Utility Assistance

electric meter

In March 8 letters to state officials, activists said that hundreds of thousands of struggling families in North Carolina will remain at risk of eviction and utility shut-offs if further action is not taken before the end of the month.

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More Than 1 Million North Carolinians Face Utility Shutoffs

water faucet

The last of North Carolina’s moratoriums on utility shutoffs expired in August. While Gov. Roy Cooper allocated $175 million in rent and utility bill assistance, consumer advocates say that it won’t be nearly enough.

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Covid’s impact on coal sharpens the pandemic’s economic hardships

Empty train cars along a mountain road

Even before the pandemic, a growing number of coal companies were declaring bankruptcy — and now the decades-long decline of coal is in a nosedive. This will leave already-shortchanged coalfield communities even less money to deal with decades of damage to people’s health and the environment.

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The Appalachian Voice shifts to publishing online

We are ceasing the print publication of The Appalachian Voice for the time being due to the impact of the pandemic, but we will continue to publish new stories online.

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Energy Burden in a Pandemic

protester in car

Many families in Appalachia already struggled with high energy bills — and COVID-19 is making it even worse.

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Tennessee needs a moratorium on utility shutoffs

quote from a Volunteer Electric Co-op member about her and her husband's experience being disconnected and then having to pay $30 to be reconnected

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our health and livelihoods, utility shutoffs are hurting residents throughout Tennessee. Call Gov. Bill Lee today to ask him to stop utilities from disconnecting people from vital services during this crisis.

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Utilities must suspend service disconnections and waive late fees

public utility and state responses to Covid-19

Millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They should not have to worry about having their power or water turned off as a result.

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Black lung service providers shift in the face of COVID-19

normal human lung compared to diseased lung

As coal miners with black lung disease have a heightened risk of complications from coronavirus, black lung healthcare providers work to respond to the global pandemic.

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A message from Appalachian Voices regarding COVID-19

As we adapt to this evolving situation, we will continue to work for ecological health, environmental justice and clean energy for all.

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