Appalachian Voices
@appvoices.org
A leading force in Appalachia’s shift from fossil fuels to clean energy, healthy communities and 21st-century local economies. https://linktr.ee/appalachianvoices
WV Sen. Jim Justice’s family is facing millions of dollars in new financial and legal liabilities, including $2.9 million in fines from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for pollution and other environmental violations on the family’s coal mines. https://loom.ly/tX5APjo
We’ve created a new map that uses public abandoned mineland data to allow the public to easily explore the status of abandoned mineland sites across the country and search for AML issues in their own communities. https://loom.ly/sJMLKjU
No free passes to pollute our communities! 🚫 A proposed change to the Defense Production Act could fast-track industrial projects, putting communities and the environment at risk. Tell your legislators to stop this pollution loophole: https://loom.ly/sn73am0
No free passes to pollute our communities!
No free passes to pollute our communities!
appvoices.org
Just days after a new study found that black lung disease has reached its highest rates in 50 years, the Trump-Vance administration has doubled down on its delay of a Biden-era rule to protect miners from deadly silica dust. https://loom.ly/jSZ-QHU
“It may not be enough to address the fact that ordinary households in Tennessee are already struggling to pay their energy bills." — Nikki Luke https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/contributors/2026/08/20/tennessee-households-energy-affordability-programs-tva/91380953007/
Gary, WV, residents filed a federal lawsuit against Taishan Coal LLC and Taishan Resources LLC seeking to force the coal mining and processing company to provide a replacement drinking water source for the community because it has polluted the city’s current water supply. https://loom.ly/61yYz5A
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is accepting comments for only a few more days. Tell them: Reject the Mountain Valley Pipeline expansion and stand with Elliston, Virginia! Sign our petition with our partners. #MethaneGas #MVP #Pipelines
Tell FERC - Reject the Mountain Valley Pipeline Expansion
Local organizing stopped a major fossil-fuel project in Virginia—for now. Help make sure federal regulators do not revive it. Sign the letter to reject the MVP Boost!
actionnetwork.org
“Data centers must pay their fair share, but that doesn’t mean they should be allowed to pollute our communities with the burden of more gas and coal emissions to power their operations,” said Leah McCord, Tennessee Projects Coordinator, Appalachian Voices. More in our statement on our website.
Groups speak out on data centers, long-term energy plan at TVA’s quarterly board meeting
In addition to approving the yearly budget, the board voted to approve TVA’s final 2026 Integrated Resource Plan and to create a new rate class for data centers. Environmental groups across the Valley, including Appalachian Voices and CleanUpTVA coalition partners, have been working to shape the outcomes on these critical issues.
appvoices.org
Major floods hit West Virginia over the weekend, and Charleston and Kanawha County officials have created a survey to help assess the damage (link in comments). We’re keeping all those affected by the floods in our thoughts. https://loom.ly/8ib_ZBY
#DominionEnergy wants #Virginia customers to pay an additional $922 million in #FuelCosts over several years. This is essentially putting another “mortgage” on customers’ electric bills due to the rising price of using gas for electricity. https://loom.ly/3mQSHoI
Dominion asks SCC to recover an additional $922 million for fuel costs over multiple years • Virginia Mercury
Advocates, lawmakers push SCC to scrutinize the company’s energy need calculations and practices.
virginiamercury.com
“Decisions about coal ash have consequences for the people breathing the air, drinking the water & living in the communities surrounding these sites,” said Jessica Waller-Downs, daughter of a late Kingston coal ash spill cleanup worker, at a hearing about coal ash storage at TVA's Kingston plant.
“One thing rings crystal clear. The workers who’ve powered this country since before my grandfather’s time have always deserved better treatment than they’ve received from the federal government and the coal companies,” writes Appalachian Voices’ Rance Garrison. https://loom.ly/P8QnZ34
Rates of #BlackLung have reached their highest level in over 50 years, with new data showing that a third of miners have the disease, with more young miners being diagnosed, too. Hear more in this report from @npr.org.
The black lung crisis deepens in Appalachia : Up First from NPR
Rates of black lung disease amongst Appalachia’s coal miners are at the highest they’ve been in 50 years. Recent data shows that a third of veteran miners have the disease. The epidemic is also striking younger workers, too. On The Sunday Story, Howard Berkes investigates the devastating human cost on Appalachian families, decades of regulatory failures, and why life-saving protections from toxic silica dust remain stalled in federal court.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for ov...
npr.org
#MontgomeryCounty leaders recently rejected a proposal from #MountainPipeline to move forward with plans for a methane gas compressor station in the area. #NoMVP #NoPipelines https://loom.ly/aW4UHgk
Montgomery County rejects agreement with MVP aimed at stalled compressor station permit
The proposals would have addressed one of the reasons the permit for the proposed Swann compressor station in Montgomery County is stalled.
roanoke.com
A new NIOSH research letter has found that black lung rates in Appalachia are at their highest level in nearly 50 years. 🔗 More from @npr.org: https://loom.ly/scn9NDc
A few of the ways the Trump administration’s actions are hurting people in Appalachia: ➡️ Propping up coal-fired power plants ➡️ Weakening environmental regulations for fossil fuel power plants ➡️ Stopping new renewable energy from coming online ➡️ Making energy more expensive
The Trump-Vance administration is pressing the gas pedal on fossil fuels and throwing up roadblocks for renewables. Congress should not enable it.
Given the Trump-Vance administration’s focus on fossil fuels, it’s clear that the projects expedited by changing the permitting process are virtually guaranteed to be for dirty energy.
appvoices.org
We all want clean water and healthy communities. But misinformation about #CoalAsh — the waste left behind after burning coal for electricity — puts this at risk. 🔗 Speak up about coal ash storage today: https://appvoices.org/actions/speak-up-about-coal-ash-storage/
If you care about clean water and a healthy future for Kingston, join us for a public hearing at the Kingston Community Center on Thursday, Aug. 13! Public participation matters. When community members speak up, agencies must consider those concerns as part of the official record.
Aug. 13: Public hearing about coal ash storage at TVA’s Kingston Fossil Plant!
Join us for a TDEC public hearing on the CARA Plan for TVA’s Kingston Fossil Plant. It will help determine the fate of coal ash at the site.
appvoices.org
Black lung disease continues to ravage the health of miners in Appalachia, with more deadly and severe cases hitting miners at younger ages than ever before. Thank you to @aljazeera.com's Fault Lines for this incredibly powerful reporting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23SA8EK37Kw&t=2s
Inside America's black lung crisis | Fault Lines Documentary
Al Jazeera English
youtube.com
#Virginia residents are the first in the nation to access to the Switch Together program, a new initiative to help homeowners & small businesses access affordable solar thru group purchasing, making it easier to lower ⚡ bills & invest in #CleanEnergy. ☀️ https://loom.ly/7iVorm4
Program to offer affordable solar options - Kenbridge Victoria Dispatch
Virginia will be the first state in the nation to offer residents the opportunity to participate in Switch Together — an optional solar
kenbridgevictoriadispatch.com
Millions of gallons of fracking wastewater are injected deep underground in Ohio each year—potentially carrying toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and radioactive materials. If injection wells fail or are mismanaged, groundwater and nearby communities are at risk. https://loom.ly/VZj1Z1Q
In Ohio, Toxic Wastewater Is Bubbling Up Out of the Ground
The state is a major importer of fracking wastewater, which gets pumped underground but doesn’t always stay there. The city of Marietta is fighting back.
nytimes.com
#Congress may advance a bill that lets projects sidestep pollution protections by labeling them as “national defense” or part of the so-called "energy emergency.” Read why the Defense Production Act is dangerous in Chelsea Barnes’ blog post: https://loom.ly/2jsgkhA
The grave new threat facing communities
The Trump-Vance administration has used the Defense Production Act to prop up fossil fuel industries, including issuing hundreds of millions of dollars in DPA grants to keep aging coal plants operating and fund new coal-fired power plants.
appvoices.org
Virginia State Parks is the first park system in the nation to have a #colorblind viewfinder at each one of its 43 locations — other states are following suit. ✍️: Debra Murray for The Appalachian Voice
Colorblind Viewfinders Make Appalachian State Parks More Accessible
Virginia State Parks is the first park system in the nation to have a colorblind viewfinder at each one of its 43 locations — thanks to the dedication of one park ranger. Other states like Tennessee and North Carolina are following suit.
appvoices.org
The massive #xAI data center behind Grok, the #AI for X, produces more climate pollution than all but one of TVA's #coal power plants. The NAACP, represented by @selc.bsky.social & @earthjustice.org, is suing.
This data center rivals TVA’s largest coal plant for climate pollution
Power plants, an oil refinery and a chemical plant are among Tennessee’s top climate polluters. If Elon Musk’s sprawling xAI data center campus in Memphis
wpln.org
State regulators are accepting public comments on TVA's plan to manage toxic coal ash — the toxic waste created from burning coal for electricity — at its Kingston Fossil Plant, and we need your help! Use our online form to submit your comment by the Aug. 31 deadline!
Submit a comment on coal ash storage at TVA’s Kingston Fossil Plant!
Submit a comment to TDEC about the CARA Plan for TVA’s Kingston Fossil Plant. It will help determine the fate of coal ash at the site.
appvoices.org
A new #Virginia study echoes community concerns: groundwater is under growing pressure, and #datacenters are part of the problem. VADEQ urges stronger oversight, transparency, and alternative water sources. Lawmakers must act now. #VApol #ProtectOur Water https://loom.ly/zDre_-k
Virginia study on groundwater, data centers calls for tighter water regulations
Virginia officials have released a scientific study on the state's groundwater supply and the possible impact of data centers after months of delays and mounting criticism.
apnews.com
Our wins and progress at Appalachian Voices begin with dedicated and passionate people like you. If you care about Appalachia’s future, we’d love for you to become a member this summer! 🔗 Consider making a gift today: https://appvoices.org/donate/. #Nonprofit #Donations #Donate #Appalachia
After widespread opposition, #DukeEnergy Carolinas cut its proposed rate hike in half—but customers still face a 9.5% increase over two years. The fight isn’t over: regulators must approve it, and Duke Energy Progress could still raise rates. Tell your legislators: reject these hikes.
Duke Energy backed down. Keep the pressure on.
tell NC legislators: speak out against duke energy's rate hikes!
appvoices.org
"The ideal outcome here would be for those laid-off workers to be re-employed reclaiming this land to the highest possible standards," says Appalachian Voices’ Willie Dodson. ✍️: Dan Radmacher for The Appalachian Voice
Coalition Stopped Mining on the Edge of the Monongahela National Forest — for Now
A coalition banded together to stop a coal company from using a haul road through the Monongahela National Forest to transport coal to a railroad facility about 20 miles away in Rupert, West Virginia.
appvoices.org
The EPA wants to take away your right to comment on certain air pollution permits, and the deadline to speak up is August 21! Join this virtual training on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. to get ready to submit a comment before the deadline. Register to attend.
Minor Source, Major Impact: Protecting Your Right to Comment on Air Permits | Young, Gifted & Green
Join us to protect your voice in commenting to protect air quality in community for air permits to prevent harm!
younggiftedgreen.org