Appalachia's Health Report
The Appalachian region is acutely impacted by the struggle to address the social and environmental factors that contribute to health problems.
Cultivating Forest Medicinals, Creating Healthy Economy
Appalachia’s forest are home to a stunning array of medicinal plants. A movement called forest farming is emerging to grow these plants in private forestland to decrease strains on plant populations and strengthen the market for the region’s botanicals.
Two Interstate Pipelines Clear Regulatory Hurdles Despite Opposition
As the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines clear some of the regulatory hurdles in their way, communities have rallied to state public hearings on water quality certifications to voice their opposition.
Aug/Sept 2017 - Columns
Hiking the Highlands
Traversing the Rock Formations at Kentucky’s Natural Bridge
On the outskirts of the Red River Gorge, hikers at Natural Bridge State Resort Park walk among natural sandstone structures and climb stairs amid thickets of rhododendron and the shade of hemlocks.
Naturalist’s Notebook
Wildflower Wonders
Wildflowers are one of Appalachia’s most vibrant symbols of summer. As the season’s end nears, we explore a few beautiful, unique flowers that blossom in late summer along mountain trails, forests and riverbeds.
Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight: Lucy and Rich Henighan
Lucy and Rich Henighan — Appalachian Voices members since 1999 — are making a difference in East Tennessee.
The Fight Against the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipelines Continues
As federal regulators continue to rubber-stamp the dangerous, inadequate plans for the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines, we’re continuing to fight back alongside residents and grassroots groups across Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.
NC Counties Pass Resolutions in Favor of Energy Efficiency
Three counties in the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation service territory have passed resolutions encouraging the electric co-op to develop a tariffed on-bill financing program that would help the co-op’s members afford home energy efficiency improvements.
Politics
RECLAIM Act Passes House Committee
A bill to accelerate the reclamation of abandoned coal mines and revitalize local economies moved forward and could be voted on this fall.
Environmental Votetracker — Aug/Sept 2017 issue
How Appalachian House and Senate members voted regarding several environmental issues in June and July
Across Appalachia
West Virginia Acquires Land for Newly Reintroduced Elk
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is working to increase public land for reintroduced elk herds.
EPA Sampling for PCB Contamination
The EPA is sampling water and soil in Minden, W.Va., where it is suspected that harmful PCB chemicals may be causing high cancer rates in the area.
U.S. Department of Justice Withdraws Funding Request for Kentucky Prison
The Dept. of Justice withdrew a funding request for a proposed prison on former mountaintop removal site in Eastern Kentucky.
Energy Report
Repeal of EPA Methane Rule Denied in Court
The Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to suspend a rule that restricts methane leaks related to natural gas infrastructure were denied by an appeals court.
NC Passes Controversial Solar and Wind Law
A new North Carolina law faces sharp criticism from some advocates of renewable energy, but others are touting it as a win for the solar industry. The law also implements a moratorium on wind development, but an executive directive from the governor placed limits on that moratorium.
Third Coal Ash Recycling Site Announced in NC
Duke Energy plans to follow state law and construct a third coal ash recycling plant in Moncure, N.C.