Kevin Ridder

Editor and Freelance Trombonist in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Opinion Pieces

I regularly write for Appalachian Voices' Front Porch Blog on a variety of topics.

Appalachian Voices • 20th November 2019

Opinion: Major win for N.C. clean energy advocates

Appalachian Voices was among the many organizations voicing public opposition in North Carolina to a rate-hike bill despite Duke Energy’s money influence in the state legislature.

Appalachian Voices • 25th October 2018

Opinion: Virginia ignores risk, allows Atlantic Coast Pipeline work

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality approved Clean Water Act permits for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, brushing off concerns from the Governor’s Advisory Council on Environmental Justice.

Appalachian Voices • 6th September 2018

Opinion: Federal fund for black lung healthcare in danger

Our elected representatives need to step up and make sure coal companies pay their fair share toward healthcare for coal miners with black lung disease.

Appalachian Voices • 1st December 2017

Opinion: EPA Holds Lone Hearing on Clean Power Plan Repeal

A blog post laying out one of the many ways Scott Pruitt is working against the mission of the EPA.

Appalachian Voices • 19th April 2018

Opinion: Tennessee legislature weakens coal mining oversight

If Gov. Haslam allows the Primacy and Reclamation Act of Tennessee to become law, it will erode community protections and become an unnecessary burden on Tennessee taxpayers.

Appalachian Voices • 19th July 2018

Opinion: MVP Southgate open houses held for three counties

What Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, had to say at three open houses on their proposed Southgate extension into North Carolina, plus a quick look at the latest developments on the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines.