Federal Grants for Troubled Appalachian Species | W.Va. Superfund Cleanup

Federal Grants To Assist Troubled Appalachian Species A round of special funding by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded $33 million toward helping threatened and endangered species in 21 states, including several projects in the Central and Southern Appalachian region. In Cumberland County, Tenn., more than $700,000 will protect aquatic resources and improve habitat…

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TVA Can Negate Coal Plants, Save Billions

Energy Efficiency can lead TVA to Cost, Energy, and Emission Reductions. Soon! An exciting new Synapse study shows us that TVA has much better options than continuing to operate and retrofit its dirty, aging fleet of coal-fired power plants. TVA currently operates 39 boilers, which would cost nearly $12 billion to retrofit. These costs do…

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Abrams Falls Trail: A Jaunt to a Jewel of the Smokies

Waterfall at Abrams Fall

By Stephen Otis The Abrams Falls Trail has historical nuances you won’t find just anywhere. Located in the Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, the trail, creek and falls are named after a historic leader of the Cherokee Nation, Chief Abram; a short side trail leads to Elijah Oliver’s…

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Recognizing Renewable Opportunities

Kentucky could realize 34 percent of its energy demand from renewable sources by 2025, a new study shows. Authored by West Virginia-based Downstream Strategies and Kentucky-based Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, the report found that solar photovoltaic and combined heat and power, the simultaneous generation of mechanical power and thermal energy used for heating…

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Chattanooga Shows the Southeast How It is Done on Energy Efficiency

Outgoing Mayor Saves Million$ and Creates Jobs by Mandating 25% Energy Reduction Tennessee has made a name for itself in the last few years by being one of the fastest improving states for energy efficiency, according to industry groups such as ACEEE. Specifically, Chattanooga has gained international notoriety for being the democratically elected best outdoor…

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US Coal: Keeping the Lights On…In Chinese Boardrooms?

As American Coal Exports Skyrocket, Chinese Companies Look To Buy Up Appalachia Much of the financial infrastructure for companies operating Appalachian surface mines may soon be in China, along with an increasing amount of Appalachian coal. On May 7, Guizhou Guochuang Energy Holding Group said it had raised 3.9 billion yuan in a private placement…

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HIDDEN TREASURES #2 – Tennessee

Welcome to part two in our exploration of the most amazing places in the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountains — this time exploring some of our most fabulous Public Lands. Fiery Gizzard Mountain Located in the heart of the South Cumberland Plateau, Fiery Gizzard Mountain remains one of the most pristine landscapes in the Eastern…

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Premium Coal Fined for New River Damage

Appalachian Voices is very happy to see the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) order a fine on Jim Justice’s Premium Coal after a January “black water” spill from a coal preparation plant sullied 28 miles of the New River. Initially, the fine will be $50,000, with the possibility of up to $196,000 in…

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