Blog Archives

Appalachian Voices denounces proposed cuts to rural energy programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2023 CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, Director of Government Affairs and Strategy, (614) 205-6424, chelsea@appvoices.org Today, the House Committee on Appropriations passed a Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill for the Department of Agriculture and other programs that

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Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition report shows how mine cleanup can boost local economies

A photo of the Dante Steam building.

The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition recently released its 2023 report, “National to Neighborhoods: Catalyzing Opportunities for Coal-Impacted Communities.” The report highlights the coalition’s current work and projects across the Appalachian coalfields of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.

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Biden administration announces $11 billion clean energy initiative for rural America

At the White House today, the Biden Administration announced the single largest investment in rural electrification since the 1936 Rural Electrification Act — $11 billion in grant and loan opportunities to help rural communities access clean, reliable, affordable electricity.

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35 Organizations endorse congressional appropriations roadmap to spur coal community economic development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2023 Contact: Trey Pollard – trey@pollardcommunications.com – 202-904-9187 READ THE LETTERS HERE: Senate Letter and House Letter COAL COUNTRY – Local, regional and national leaders representing 35 organizations sent a letter to congressional leaders today

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McCarthy’s debt ceiling proposal guts economic revitalization efforts in coal communities

Today, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled bill text for a proposal to lift the debt ceiling while significantly reducing funding for government programs. The proposal includes provisions to repeal advanced manufacturing tax credits and advanced energy tax credits enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, including bonus incentives for projects in “energy communities” designed to help communities impacted by coal mine closures and power plant closures recover and grow new clean energy job opportunities.

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Biden Administration announces new actions to help energy communities take advantage of historic federal investments in clean energy

Today, the Biden Administration announced a series of actions intended to create jobs, opportunities and investments in energy communities, and to deploy clean energy projects on former mine lands. Appalachian Voices Executive Director Tom Cormons was invited to speak at the announcement.

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Rural communities won billions of dollars to fund renewable energy

Last year, rural advocates won big in the Inflation Reduction Act by securing billions of dollars for rural communities to implement clean energy. Now, the USDA Rural Utilities Service is asking for input on how to set up and roll out these funding programs.

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For Appalachian communities, the 117th Congress brought significant victories, but work remains

As the new Congress begins, we at Appalachian Voices are taking stock of the many victories achieved in the 117th Congress that just came to a close.

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Community advocates urge Congress to include key coal community investments in forthcoming budget legislation

Congressional appropriations leaders are preparing to release omnibus spending legislation for FY2023 today, and community advocates from across coal country are urging them to ensure several long-standing priority investments are included. Advocates argue that the omnibus legislation is an important opportunity to get three key provisions over the finish line.

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New Virginia task force to host listening sessions and support community engagement

yellow figures with speech bubbles stand on a road in small-town Appalachia

A state agency is taking the exciting step of holding listening sessions in Southwest Virginia to solicit local input on how the commonwealth can support the region’s economic future.

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