Large, out-of-state companies often hold huge tracts of land in Southwest Virginia and across the region for its perceived coal or timber potential — making it difficult for nearby communities to use the land themselves.
Blog Archives
Southwest Virginia schools and local governments call for fair solar policies
Several public entities in the region are urging Appalachian Power Company to loosen their restrictive solar policies. On the sunnier side, Appalachian Voices and Iron Works Cycling secured a $25,000 grant for a solar array on the Big Stone Gap, Va., bicycle shop.
Iron Works Cycling, Appalachian Voices receive $25,000 grant for solar installation
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager, (276) 207-9636, chelsea@appvoices.org BIG STONE GAP, Va. — Iron Works Cycling and Appalachian Voices have received a grant from the Solar Moonshot Program to install a 16-kilowatt solar energy system on the Big…
TAGS: coalfields Hammond Climate Solutions iron works cycling just transition Left Coast Fund new economy sigora Solar solar moonshot solar workgroup southwest virginia
Charting paths forward for coal communities
For communities that depended on coal, the pandemic is exacerbating an already-urgent set of interlocking problems. Two regional coalitions have released plans to chart a brighter future for communities hit hardest by the changing coal economy.
TAGS: appalachia coal closures economic development economic justice just transition National Economic Transition new economy reclamation ReImagine Appalachia reinvestment Renewable Energy Workers
Coalition makes catalytic investment in Appalachian coal mine reuse projects
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org 276-679-1691 Norton, Va. – Furthering its commitment to innovative mine reclamation projects throughout the Appalachian region, the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition (RAC) announced its investment in five projects in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Alabama…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands Alabama aml appalachia coal mines just transition Kentucky new economy OSMRE Pennsylvania reclaim
Coal community leaders release historic platform for national economic transition
Built on community-driven solutions by local, tribal and labor leaders, NET Platform pushes for bold investments in national transition program for those hit hardest by changing coal economy CONTACT: Trey Pollard, Just Transition Fund tpollard@justtransitionfund.org 202-904-9187 Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices…
TAGS: appalachia Coal Country Coal mining coal power plants economic development Economic Transition just transition navajo nation new economy wyoming
Southwest Virginia seeks partners for solar development
CONTACT: Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development, adam@appvoices.org, 276-679-1691 Norton, VA — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia today released a Request for Information (RFI) for a “co-development concept” for commercial-scale solar projects throughout the seven-county coalfield…
TAGS: clean energy coalfields just transition new economy Renewable Energy Solar solar workgroup southwest virginia
A policymaker’s guide to fostering community solar development
Pro-solar policy is crucial to bringing clean, renewable energy to Southwest Virginia and Appalachia as a whole.
19 old coal sites identified for innovative development projects
Appalachian communities are exploring ways to attract new businesses, pull families out of poverty and strengthen skilled workforces. A primary focus is to redevelop old, unused coal sites.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml Coal economic development Economic diversification just transition new economy reclaim reclamation
Touring solar successes in Southwest Virginia
Residents from across the region toured solar installations in Abingdon and Wise County, Va., to learn more about solar development, financing options and more.
TAGS: National Solar Tour new economy Solar solar tour Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia southwest virginia
