April/May 2019

Appalachia’s incredible caves offer unusual adventures and provide shelter to rare, unique creatures. Below, read about some of our region’s underground inhabitants, and find your own cave to explore.

We also cover advances in solar power in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky, along with articles on community broadband and Central Appalachia’s changing economy. And check out our recurring columns to learn about permaculture ponds, discover an old-growth forest hike in Kentucky’s Harlan County and catch up on energy news.

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woman in cave

Appalachia Underground

Discover the wonders of Appalachia’s subterranean landscape and read about a multi-year effort to save North Carolina’s sole known population of endangered Virginia big-eared bats.

Caving Adventures: A Guide to Some of the Region’s Best Caving Spots

A man stands with solar panels

A Brighter Economy for Appalachia

Explore stories from the frontlines of our region’s economic transition and learn about exciting solar projects taking root in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky.

Solar Projects Shine in Southwest Virginia

Featured Stories

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Pipelines Plagued by Lawsuits and Delays

Construction remains halted on most of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s route and on some of the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s route due to a slew of legal issues.

Columns

Hiking the Highlands

Forested mountain view

Exploring Old Growth Forest in Historic Harlan County

Kentucky’s Harlan County, perhaps best known for its mining history, is also home to a wonderful old-growth forest preserve with several hiking trails.

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Naturalist's Notebook

southern cavefish

Fascinating Cave Creatures of Appalachia

Hidden underneath the majesty of the Appalachian mountains is a strange, enchanting cave ecosystem full of unusual creatures.

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Member Spotlight

A Milestone for Southwest Virginia Solar

This spring marks a poignant milestone for solar…

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This Green House

people by pond

Permaculture Ponds

The Todds use permaculture principles to create sustainable systems that can improve water quality, treat wastewater and provide other benefits.

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Politics

Eric Dixon sits before microphone

Congressional Hearing Addresses Abandoned Mine Cleanup

Regional leaders testified in front of a U.S. House subcommittee about strategies to restore abandoned mines and witnesses expressed support for the RECLAIM Act.

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Most Sweeping Public Lands Bill in Decades Becomes Law

New public lands legislation designates 1.3 million acres of new wilderness, reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and more.

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Duke and Dominion Energy’s Contributions to NC Legislature

The two monopoly utilities contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to North Carolina legislative campaigns in 2018.

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Across Appalachia

Global Recycling Changes Affect Tri-Cities Area

Multiple recycling programs in the tri-cities area of Virginia and Tennessee have been affected by a Kingsport recycling facility’s closure that is linked to China’s ban on the import of 24 recyclable materials.

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Energy Report

TVA Releases Long-term Energy Plan, Announces Retirement of Two Coal Power Plants

The Tennessee Valley Authority plans to add between four and nine gigawatts of solar power over the next 20 years, and voted to close two old coal-fired power plants in February.

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woman speaks at microphone

Friends of Perry State Forest Fight Mine Permit

The proposed 545-acre strip mine in Ohio would encompass 12 percent of the state forest and would be managed by the former CEO of a coal company that covered up water quality violations.

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Westmoreland Coal Allowed to Sever Worker Agreements

In February, a federal judge allowed Westmoreland Coal Company to terminate benefits for current and retired coal miners.

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