The Advocate — Issue #114

February 23, 2019

It’s Time for Energy Justice in North Carolina!

Partner groups including Appalachian Voices recently launched the new Energy Justice North Carolina: End the Duke Monopoly coalition to address Duke Energy’s toxic legacy, promote consumer rights and demand clean energy choice for the state.

[ Learn more ]
[ NC residents: Sign the petition for Energy Justice! ]

Rev. Barber and Al Gore Highlight Racism of Pipeline in Buckingham

Civil rights and climate activists Rev. William Barber and former Vice President Al Gore drew more than 1,000 people to a town hall meeting in Buckingham, Va., to highlight the environmental racism of the proposed fracked-gas compressor station in the African-American community of Union Hill.

[ Read more ]

A Coal Baron’s Unmet Debts

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has made nearly $2 billion off Appalachia’s coalfields over the years, but his family’s mines owe millions of dollars in back taxes in multiple states. They have also accrued hundreds of environmental violations, and many idled mines are still unreclaimed.

[ Read an in-depth breakdown of the companies’ problems ]
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Five Years After Dan River: Coal Ash in NC

The 2014 Dan River spill sparked a flurry of coal ash cleanup legislation, public hearings, community meetings and more across North Carolina, the latest round ending just a few weeks ago. But where exactly does coal ash stand in the state?

[ Read more ]

TVA to Shut Down Two Coal Plants

Increased public participation but continued gaps in transparency marked Tennessee Valley Authority’s quarterly meeting in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Valentine’s Day. One major win included the vote to close two of the utility’s coal plants, but the decision highlights a continued need to build a stronger and more varied job economy for those affected.

[ Read more about the meeting ]

Underground Mine Blowout in Virginia

Accumulated water burst out of an old underground mine in Hurley, Va., on Jan. 30, causing flash flooding and property damage in a nearby neighborhood and reviving concerns about continued violations by the coal companies responsible.

[ Learn More ]

These stories represent just some of the work Appalachian Voices is doing to bring people together to protect the land, air and water of our region and advance a just and clean energy economy. We are funded in large part through the support of individuals like you. Join us today to be part of this important work.

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