Posts Tagged ‘Virginia’
Southwest Virginia is for (Outdoor) Lovers
By Amber Ellis On Sept. 13-14 in Abingdon, Va., the Appalachian Spring Initiative will host a regional expo to highlight southwest Virginia’s outdoor recreational opportunities. The initiative, which focuses on community development, has identified eight attractions as pillars of ecotourism in southwestern Virginia, including the New River, High Knob Recreation Area and the Daniel Boone…
Read MoreNew Law Helps Cyclists in Virginia
Bicyclists in Virginia can breathe easier now that the minimum distance for passing motorists has increased from two to three feet. At the time of the law’s passage, Virginia was number 18 on the annual ranking of bicycle friendly states by the League of American Bicyclists.
Read MoreExpecting Justice: The backward priorities of a billionaire coal baron
In recent years, outstanding violations and unpaid fines have weighed down coal companies owned by West Virginia billionaire Jim Justice and burdened the communities where they operate. But rather than paying his debts, Justice just spent $30 million to build a lavish sports complex on the grounds of the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.
Great News for Clean Water in Virginia!
Last week a federal judge upheld a previous decision requiring a Virginia coal company to get a permit for their discharges of toxic selenium.
Community Impacts of Controversial Coalfields Expressway Project in Va. to Receive Thorough Review
Agency letters Federal Highway Administration, May 22, 2014 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sept. 11, 2012 Environmental Protection Agency, Sept. 7, 2012 Corps of Engineers, Sept. 7, 2012 Contact: Jane Branham, Southern Appalachia Mountain Stewards, samsva@gmail.com, (276) 565-6167 Deborah Murray, Southern Environmental Law Center, dmurray@selcva.org, (434) 977-4090 Marley Green, Sierra Club, marley.green@sierraclub.org,…
Read MoreYour comments needed to chart Virginia’s energy future
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order this month to create an energy council tasked with assisting in the development of a comprehensive energy strategy for Virginia. For those who would like to see robust investment in efficiency and renewables as part of this strategy, the task before us clear: make sure the energy council hears from us at every opportunity.
Science-backed lawsuits protect clean water in Central Appalachia
A recent federal court decision found that conductivity released from mines violated clean water laws. Another case just filed in Virginia challenges the discharge of total dissolved solids from mines in watersheds already damaged by high levels of total dissolved solids. Both cases could result in stronger protections for Central Appalachian streams.
Groups Seek Protection of Virginia Waterways from Mining Pollution
Red River Coal Co. Violating “Last Line of Defense” Clean Water Act Protections Contact: Eric Chance, Appalachian Voices, 828-262-1500 eric@appvoices.org Sean Sarah, Sierra Club, 202-548-4589 sean.sarah@sierraclub.org Matt Hepler, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, 540-871-1564 mhepler24@gmail.com Big Stone Gap, VA –Citizen and environmental groups today filed suit in federal court over illegal water pollution from four mines…
Read MoreVirginians applaud new federal carbon pollution protections
Representatives of Virginia business, national security, health and agricultural sectors joined environmental advocates this week in praising the newly announced carbon pollution limits for existing power plants as necessary public health and security safeguards, and a beneficial economic driver.
Clinch Water Revival: Ecotourism on the River
By Kimber Ray No one could fail to notice Clinch River Adventures. Just off the banks of the Clinch River, this tubing, canoeing and kayaking outfitter is housed in a bright red caboose with the town’s name, St. Paul, painted on the side. But the colorful building is far from the most prominent attribute people…
Read More