August/Sept 2019 - Features
The August/September issue explores a broad range of topics, including growing public frustration with the Tennessee Valley Authority and continued protests and legal delays affecting major fracked-gas pipelines.
We also look at local attempts to tackle the problem of food insecurity, share one man’s inspiring effort to save rare heirloom apple varieties, and examine how sustainable agriculture practices and local ingredients are influencing our region’s vineyards and distilleries. In addition, we feature community efforts to restore and protect historic African-American cemeteries. Check out these stories and more below!
Challenging TVA
Tired of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s frequent rate increases and lack of transparency and clean energy, communities across the region are pushing for change in the monopoly utility.
Restoring Black Cemeteries
Across the region, communities are working to document and preserve historic African-American cemeteries. Hear from people involved in this work, including reflections from a writer who discusses her family’s past through the lens of a local cemetery.
Featured Stories
Pipelines Continue to Face Obstacles
As the Mountain Valley Pipeline continues to cause problems and spark protests, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline faces new legal troubles.
A Tale of Orchards Past
Apple aficionado Tom Brown has dedicated more than 20 years of his life to saving Appalachia’s forgotten heirloom apples.
Tackling Food Insecurity
To combat food insecurity, some programs work to fill gaps in federal food assistance programs, while others are getting creative with food systems and supporting local farmers. All of them are making a difference in the fight against hunger, and all face challenges.
Aug/Sept 2019 - Columns
Hiking the Highlands
Summiting Grandfather Mountain
On this classic Western North Carolina hike, hikers can see a fantastic view of the cliffside profile for which Grandfather Mountain is named.
Naturalist's Notebook
Tangled Up in Kudzu
The story behind the highly invasive vine that is creeping across the Southeast, and what can be done to stop it.
Member Spotlight
Taking Energy Democracy to the People Through Tours
Alongside partner organizations and concerned citizens, Appalachian Voices launched an Energy Democracy Tour to educate residents in Virginia, North Carolina and the Tennessee Valley on how to take back their electric system from monopoly utilities.
The Magic of Summer: A note from our executive director
A message from Appalachian Voices’ Executive Director Tom Cormons about late summer and our connection to nature.
Member Spotlight: Vesta Jean Lenhart
Appalachian Voices member Vesta Jean Lenhart’s desire to preserve mountains goes back to her childhood in Eastern Kentucky.
Politics
The Trump Administration’s Environmental Record
A partial summary of President Donald Trump’s and his administration’s established track record of reducing environmental protections.
Environmental Votetracker — August/September 2019 issue
See how Appalachian legislators at the federal level voted in June and July 2019.
Across Appalachia
Volunteers Remove Staggering Amounts of Litter Across Region
State agencies, community groups and locals are working together to clean up significant amounts of litter across Appalachia.
Local WV Groups Fight Back Against Industrial Rockwool Facility
Community groups in Jefferson County, W.Va., are challenging local and state government efforts to bring a stone wool insulation manufacturing plant to the area, citing air pollution and other concerns.
States’ Right to Ban Uranium Mining Upheld
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a Virginia mining company that was suing to overturn the state’s 1982 moratorium on uranium mining.
Energy Report
Environmental Groups Sue Four Coal and Chemical Facilities
Environmental groups have sued three coal facilities and one chemical plant for the alleged illegal pollution of adjacent waterways.
Blackjewel and Revelation Energy Coal Bankruptcy Raises Concerns for Workers and Mine Cleanup
Two coal company bankruptcies in July resulted in retroactively withdrawn paychecks from coal miners and an unclear future for roughly 13,000 acres of unreclaimed mine land.
Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate Public Comment Period Begins
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will be accepting public comments on the 73-mile fracked-gas pipeline through Sept. 16, 2019.