The Appalachian Voice • 25th February 2020

Support Grows for Mine Reclamation Bill

Numerous Appalachian coal-bearing communities have passed resolutions calling on federal legislators to pass a bill that would reauthorize a program that funds cleanup of abandoned mine lands.

Appalachian Voices • 24th February 2020

Black Lung Healthcare Legislation Sees Progress

Congress temporarily reinstated a tax on coal companies that funds black lung benefits for miners and their families in December. Advocates continue to push for further protections for coal workers.

The Appalachian Voice • 16th December 2019

Seeking a Path to 100% Clean Energy

Localities across Appalachia and the nation have pledged to fully convert to green power — but restrictive policies and monopoly utilities are holding them back.

The Appalachian Voice • 16th December 2019

Appalachian Power Restricts Solar Savings in Virginia

Public schools and other government entities in Virginia are unable to take advantage of the cost-saving benefits of solar due to restrictive policies put in place by Appalachian Power.

The Appalachian Voice • 19th December 2018

Keeping Eyes on Coal’s Impact

Citizen scientists surveil water quality near active and former coal mines to hold companies accountable to the law.

The Appalachian Voice • 11th October 2019

A Pilot Program’s Uncertain Record

Some projects receiving federal funds for economic development near abandoned mines have strong community support; others, not so much.

The Appalachian Voice • 7th June 2018

Cost of Coal Mine Cleanup

Despite problems with the current system, coal companies are being granted more leeway in paying for mine reclamation.

The Appalachian Voice • 7th June 2018

Coal Mining Under Trump

While Central Appalachian coal jobs saw a slight bump in President Donald Trump's first year in office, not much has changed on the national level.

The Appalachian Voice • 7th August 2019

Taking on TVA

Communities are resisting the Tennessee Valley Authority’s frequent cost increases and lack of transparency and clean energy.

The Appalachian Voice • 7th June 2019

TVA Faces Criticism Over Coal Ash, Transparency

The Tennessee Valley Authority and its contractor Jacobs Engineering are facing a new lawsuit regarding their cleanup of the 2008 Kingston coal ash spill. Additionally, state and federal lawmakers are backing a U.S. House bill that would require more transparency from the monopoly utility.

The Appalachian Voice • 8th April 2019

Eastern Kentucky Community Groups Pursue Solar

Four community-led organizations in Letcher County, Ky., plan to install solar arrays to combat rising electricity costs.

Appalachian Voices • 8th April 2019

Building a Better Economy

Communities across Appalachia are striving to build a more resilient and sustainable economy.

Appalachian Voices • 19th December 2018

Power to the People

In Appalachia and across the country, people are reclaiming their power from electricity monopolies that weren’t serving their needs.

The Appalachian Voice • 11th August 2018

Q&A with Nantahala-Pisgah Plan Stakeholders

I asked conservationists, recreational users, a Cherokee tribal member and more what they most want to see from the new Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest Plan.

The Appalachian Voice • 12th August 2018

Groups Aim to Reshape Nantahala-Pisgah Plan

Conservationists, recreation enthusiasts, the timber industry and more have played a major part in the U.S. Forest Service's ongoing effort to make major changes to the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest Management Plan for the first time since 1994.

The Appalachian Voice • 16th October 2018

Seeking Cooperative Change

Jeff Lewis lost the election for Powell Valley Electric Cooperative’s board, but he hopes they will take his concerns to heart.

The Appalachian Voice • 7th June 2018

Environmental Protection Agency Aims to Deregulate Coal Ash

The Trump administration’s proposal to roll back federal coal ash safeguards gives more leeway to states — and advocates worry that would put drinking water at risk.

The Appalachian Voice • 15th February 2018

The Ongoing Cleanup of Abandoned Coal Mines

A key federal mine reclamation program is up for reauthorization in 2021 — and the work is far from finished.

The Appalachian Voice • 11th October 2017

Mountain Advocates Stand Against Racism

After white supremacists made national headlines at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., environmental advocacy groups and community organizers in Appalachia spoke out against racism.

The Appalachian Voice • 23rd August 2017

Communities Aim to Solve the Opioid Epidemic

Opioid abuse has had a meteoric rise in Appalachia in recent years. As communities tackle the problem, they put new methods to the test and address the stigma surrounding people suffering from drug addiction.