The Advocate — Issue #160

The STREAM Act advances!

Last week, the Senate passed the STREAM Act, which will help clean up acid mine drainage in creeks and rivers.  

Monitoring air quality across Appalachia

Appalachian Voices has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor air pollution in communities across Appalachia.

Ginseng: The Root that Shaped a Region

Author Luke Manget discusses the many uses of ginseng, a unique herb with a history tied to Appalachian culture. 

No more gas plants in the Tennessee Valley! 

The federally-owned Tennessee Valley Authority is planning to build multiple methane gas plants, which will have a devastating impact on national climate goals.

Fighting for Black Lung Benefits for Miners and Families

Mike South’s diagnosis with black lung disease at age 35 marked the beginning of a difficult battle to obtain benefits for him and his family, a fight that his wife Kathryn continued after his passing.

Restore leadership at the Tennessee Valley Authority

TVA’s nine-person board of directors has dwindled to three, which means CEO Jeff Lyash can make decisions that have enormous climate and economic impacts. If President Biden’s board nominees aren’t confirmed by the Senate this year, the TVA board won’t be able to hold meetings and this lengthy process will start all over in 2023.

In Case You Missed It…

• Remember Kingston: 14 years ago, 1 billion tons of coal ash spilled at TVA’s Kingston power plant. Hundreds of workers were sickened during the cleanup, more than 60 have died, and workers and their families are still pursuing justice. 
• Duke Energy’s Carbon Plan: Josh McClenney explains why North Carolinians deserve better. 
• Unity Sessions: Voice your thoughts on economic development and transition in the seven Southwest Virginia coalfield counties.
• Why Coal Companies Love Bankruptcy: Check out this informative video from Bloomberg News!
• NC People’s Energy Plan: North Carolinians, take the survey and let us know what you want our energy future to look like! 
• The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia is seeking survey responses from people interested in solar and folks who already have solar.

CALENDAR

Beginner Orienteering
Dec. 30, 1-2 p.m.: Basic orienteering skills for school-aged children. Pilot Mountain State Park, North Carolina

New Years Day Hike:
Head of the Sequatchie
Jan. 1, 1:30-3 p.m.: Guided 2-mile hike at Cumberland Trail State Park, Tennessee, followed by a warm-up at the visitor center.

Virginians for Environmental Justice Lobby Training II
Jan. 5, 7 p.m.: Virginia Interfaith Power & Light will host their second workshop preparing the public for the 2023 Virginia General Assembly. Online statewide and in-person in Richmond.

ReImagine Appalachia 2023 Strategy Summit
Jan. 10, 11 a.m-2:15 p.m.; Jan. 11, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Keynote panels of speakers will discuss opportunities for Appalachia from new federal spending, followed by breakout strategy sessions.

2023 Virginia General Assembly preview webinar
Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m.: Hear from Appalachian Voices staff about what we’ll be fighting for and defending against in the upcoming General Assembly session.

New Economy Network Y’all-Come celebration

Jan. 18, 6 p.m.: Celebrate the New Economy Network with food and festivities. In-person at Lincoln Roads Coffee House in Norton, Virginia, or online.

Energy Justice Lobby Day 

Jan. 26, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.: Advocate for an equitable transition to clean energy, including for energy affordability and access to essential utilities. Richmond, Virginia.

UNITY Listening Session:

Jan. 26, 5:30 p.m.: Share thoughts on life in Lee County and visions for the future at the first UNITY community listening session. Jonesville, Virginia. 

Offices in:

Boone, NC • Charlottesville, VA

Knoxville, TN • Norton, VA • Durham, NC

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