One million N.C. households at risk of losing electricity and water during pandemic

CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, Appalachian Voices, [email protected], (423) 433-9415 Al Ripley, Director, Consumer, Housing and Energy Project, NC Justice Center, [email protected], (919) 274-8245 William Barber, III, Environmental Justice Committee Co-Chair, NC Poor People’s Campaign, [email protected], (202) 567-6800 Maria Michalos, Eastern Regional Communications Manager, Natural Resources Defense Council, [email protected], (631) 848-1588 Raleigh, N.C. —…

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Va should expand utility shutoff ban during Covid-19 crisis

protester in car

CONTACT: Peter Anderson, Senior Program Manager Virginia, 434-293-6373, [email protected] Rory McIlmoil, Senior Energy Analyst, 828-262-1500, [email protected] Appalachian Voices sent a letter today to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) urging the commissioners to extend and strengthen the existing moratorium on water, gas and electric utility disconnections and late payment fees to protect families who are…

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NC governor extends moratorium on utility shutoffs during Covid crisis

protester in car

CONTACT: Al Ripley, Director, NC Justice Center, Director of Housing, Consumer and Energy Project, 919-274-8245 Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices, Senior Energy Analyst, 828-266-1500 Tyler Fitch, Vote Solar, Southeast Regulatory Manager; Press contact Hilary Lewis, 202-455-0361 Luis Martinez, Natural Resources Defense Council, Senior Attorney and Director Southeast Energy; Press contact Maria Michalos, 631-848-1588 N.C. Governor Roy…

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Groups urge expansion of NC utility shutoff moratorium during Covid-19

CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, Appalachian Voices, [email protected], (423) 433-9415 Maria Michalos, Eastern Regional Communications Manager, Natural Resources Defense Council, [email protected], (631) 848-1588 Al Ripley, Director, Consumer, Housing and Energy Project, NC Justice Center, [email protected], (919) 274-8245 Hilary Lewis, Communications Director, Vote Solar, [email protected], (202) 455-0361 *NOTE: The letter to the governor was updated…

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Coal miners call on Congress for support amidst dual threats from black lung and COVID-19

complicated black lung disease

CONTACT: Rebecca Shelton, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, [email protected] Willie Dodson, Appalachian Voices, [email protected] (NOTE: Several miners and their family members are available for interviews; images are also available; please contact Rebecca or Willie.) The president of the Black Lung Association (BLA), members of Women of Black Lung, and officers of eleven local BLA chapters across…

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Groups call for stop to electricity cutoffs in Tennessee Valley due to pandemic

CONTACT: Daniel Tait, Energy Alabama [email protected] (256) 812-1431 Bri Knisley, Appalachian Voices [email protected] (865) 219-3225 More than a dozen organizations in Tennessee and Alabama have called on the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) to urge its member utilities to immediately halt service disconnection and late fees for families during the coronavirus pandemic. In a…

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NC governor orders halt to utility shutoffs during pandemic

CONTACT: Al Ripley, Director Consumer, Housing and Energy Project NC Justice Center (919) 274-8245 [email protected] Rory McIlmoil, Senior Energy Analyst Appalachian Voices (828) 262-3385 [email protected] Today, Gov. Roy Cooper announced an order directing all electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities operating in the state to suspend service shutoffs, late payment fees and reconnection fees to…

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