Posts Tagged ‘southwest virginia’
New Virginia law sets up stakeholder process to diversify coal region’s economy
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, Legislative Director, chelsea@appvoices.org, 614-205-6424 Governor Northam has signed into law a bill, passed by the General Assembly during the 2021 session, that ends decades-old tax credits for the coal industry and establishes a stakeholder process to inform economic development and transition in Southwest Virginia. The governor signed the bill on Thursday. Ending…
Read MoreMajor grant awarded for Appalachian Voices’ jobs, economic project in Southwest Virginia
The GO Virginia State Board has approved a Per Capita application for the Appalachian Voices “Energy Storage and Electrification Manufacturing Jobs” project. Approved at $486,366, the project will create jobs in GO Virginia Region One in the energy storage and electrification manufacturing field while attracting investments and expanding the local tax base. CONTACT: Kalen Hunter,…
Read MoreBuilding community power for economic transition in the coalfields
The New Economy Network of Southwest Virginia continues to progress local conversations to bring positive change to the region.
Read MoreIt’s a wrap! A rundown of the 2021 Virginia General Assembly
We and our allies fought hard for the health and well-being of communities and the environment, and we’re grateful for the emails and calls you delivered to the legislature to support these efforts.
Read MoreBills to ensure coal communities are part of America’s economic recovery introduced in Congress
CONTACT: Thom Kay, Legislative Director, thom.kay@appvoices.org, 864-580-1843 Cat McCue, Communications Strategist, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 Read our March 5 blog for more background. Washington, DC — As coal-impacted communities grapple with economic decline and public health risks made significantly worse by the Covid-19 crisis, Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) and Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) introduced two bills in…
Read MoreSouthwest Virginia workgroup seeks bids for residential solar program
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager, chelsea@appvoices.org, (276) 207-9636 Norton, Va. — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia issued its Request for Proposals (RFP) for partnership in the Southwest Virginia 2021 Residential Solar Program. The program will provide solar installation services for homeowners in the coalfield region. The workgroup is facilitating this program as…
Read MoreThe new face of solar energy in Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia native Matthew McFadden is the new Project Coordinator for an initiative to help advance solar energy in the region.
Read MoreVirginia officials must begin planning for Wise County, other power plant closures
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, chelsea@appvoices.org, 614-205-6424 Cat McCue, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 Today, the Institute for Energy Economics and Analysis released a report shedding light on Dominion Energy’s costly coal-fired Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise Co, Va., and its likely early closure. The report, entitled Virginia Coal Plant’s Future Isn’t Bright: Preparation for Transition Should Commence…
Read MoreFighting for equitable land access in Southwest Virginia
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.
Read MoreSouthwest 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.
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