Terrible, persistent smells from the Bristol landfill have put a damper on quality of life for residents of the Twin Cities. Officials acknowledge the problem, but there’s no clear path forward.
Blog Archives
The Beast of Bristol: The Landfill Haunting Residents of the Twin Cities
TAGS: Air Pollution air quality Bristol community activism East Tennessee EPA grassroots Landfill landfill gas public health southwest virginia Tennessee trash Virginia Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
What it takes to reenergize Southwest Virginia
Economic development in Southwest Virginia could get a long overdue jumpstart with the suggestions Virginia Energy outlined in its Reenergize Southwest Final Report. The report, which was released in December 2021, makes recommendations for the General Assembly to support the economic transition in the coalfields after eliminating the state’s coal tax credits in 2021.
Online tool helps track status of mine ownership in aftermath of Blackjewel bankruptcy
The fate of thousands of acres of mines requiring tens of millions of dollars of reclamation was thrown into doubt when Blackjewel, Revelation Energy and affiliated mining operations filed for bankruptcy in July 2019.
New tool helps track large number of mine permits set to be voided in Blackjewel bankruptcy
Appalachian Voices has created a web page designed to help concerned residents, reporters and regulators track the status of mines caught up in the Blackjewel bankruptcy where the permits will become void once the Blackjewel companies cease to exist at the end of the year.
The Sun is Shining on Southwest Virginia’s Growing Solar Industry
Learn about several exciting updates on the bright future for Southwest Virginia’s growing solar energy industry, broken down into four categories: 1) residential solar, 2) commercial solar, 3) utility solar and 4) shared solar!
TAGS: appalachia Appalachian Voices clean energy Climate change commercial solar Electric Utilities Renewable Energy residential solar shared solar Solar Solar Energy solar workgroup Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia southwest virginia swva utilty solar Virginia
New Clinch River State Park Showcases Biodiversity
Supporters of Southwest Virginia’s newest state park hope that it will foster a conservation mindset and bring awareness to the Clinch River’s rich biodiversity.
TAGS: biodiversity Clinch River Clinch River Valley Initiative southwest virginia state parks Virginia
Stakeholder process invites Southwest Virginians to comment on state support for the region
The Virginia DMME held the first of three listening sessions to hear Southwest Virginians’ thoughts on how the state can support the region going forward as the coal tax credits expire. Residents can submit comments in person, by mail or online.
TAGS: Citizen action coal tax credits energy transition just transition Public engagement southwest virginia stakeholder process Virginia Department of Energy Virginia DMME
Solar advocates score victory for schools, localities in APCO territory
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, Legislative Director, chelsea@appvoices.org, 276-207-9636 Norton, VA – Local government officials and Appalachian Power Co. announced today that schools and localities in the utility’s territory will be permitted to use net metering and solar financing programs consistent with…
TAGS: apco Appalachian Power clean energy Solar southwest virginia utilities Virginia Clean Economy Act
Bringing Shared Solar to Southwest Virginia
Shared or community solar can be a good way to experience the benefits of solar without a high upfront cost. But customers of Appalachian Power in Southwest Virginia are still prohibited by state law from installing shared solar arrays.
