Beginning in January 2023, four local environmental and social justice organizations held a series of community listening sessions, one in each coalfield county in Southwest Virginia.
Blog Archives
Community, culture and creation: Working to bring new investments into the coalfields
TAGS: clean energy economic development Environmental Justice Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards southwest virginia The Clinch Coalition UNITY sessions Virginia Organizing
Public forum for community development to be held in Scott County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2023 CONTACT Emma Kelly, New Economy Field Coordinator, emma@appvoices.org, (276) 289-1003 Scott County — A group of non-profit organizations —, including Appalachian Voices, Virginia Organizing, The Clinch Coalition and Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards — is…
TAGS: New Economy Network Scott County Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards The Clinch Coalition UNITY Virginia Organizing
Community groups and A&G Coal Corporation reach settlement on coal mine reclamation
Today, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club announced a settlement with A&G Coal Corporation, owned by the family of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, to help ensure the reclamation of three large surface coal mines in Wise County, Virginia.
TAGS: a&g coal mine reclamation Sierra Club Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards Virginia Energy West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice
Local citizen groups express concerns about nuclear development
The announcement comes as a surprise to many key stakeholders in the region, and no local citizen groups were informed about the governor’s visit — nor have any been invited to participate in the planning of the location and development of the new energy infrastructure.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Clinch Coalition Gov. Glenn Youngkin Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards Virginia Energy Plan
Citizen groups notify Justice-owned coal company of intent to sue over reclamation violations
A coal company owned by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and his family has been notified that Appalachian Voices, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and Sierra Club are planning to file a lawsuit over its failure to clean up three Wise County, Virginia, mines.
TAGS: a&g coal mine reclamation Sierra Club Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards Virginia Virginia Department of Energy West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice
Groups Urge Virginia Mining Agency to Strengthen Regulations
Environmental groups are calling on Virginia regulators to strengthen coal mining rules by making it easier for citizens who file complaints to be involved in site inspections, strengthening bonding requirements and more.
TAGS: environmental protections Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards Virginia Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy
Community Organizing Amid Destructive Mining
Formed 10 years ago in response to coal mines proposed near Wise County, Va., Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards continues their work to build sustainable communities.
On the Front Lines
When mountaintop removal threatened to surround the tiny town of Inman, Va., residents pushed back.
TAGS: communities at risk mountaintop removal coal mining Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards Virginia
Penn Virginia Faces Legal Challenge for Toxic Water Pollution
Resources View the Complaint Here Complaint’s Exhibit A Complaint’s Exhibit B Community Groups Protest Coal Mining Pollution and “Bully Tactics” Contacts: Eric Chance, Appalachian Voices, eric@appvoices.org, 828-262-1500 Oliver Bernstein, Sierra Club, oliver.bernstein@sierraclub.org, 512-289-8618 Glen Besa, Virginia Sierra Club, glen.besa@sierraclub.org, 804…
TAGS: Appalachian Voices Coal Selenium Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards Virginia Water Pollution
Coming Soon: 5th Annual Weekend in Wise
The 5th Annual Weekend in Wise County, hosted by the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition amid Virginia’s treasured Appalachian Mountains, is just around the corner. October 12 through 14, experience the beauty and culture…
TAGS: appalachia Appalachian Voices Coal Coalfields Expressway Education Mountaintop Removal Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards Virginia Weekend in Wise Wise Energy for Virginia
