The Advocate — Issue #108

August 22, 2018

Al Gore, Rev. Barber take a stand with NC citizens

The former vice president joined with Rev. William Barber II of the Poor People’s Campaign for a two-day tour of coal-impacted communities to raise awareness of the link between environmental injustice and poverty. Appalachian Voices helped organize the event.

UPDATE on Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines

In the span of two weeks, federal court rulings exposed major flaws in the permits for the two fracked-gas pipelines, prompting FERC to halt construction on both. In Virginia, the state water board voted in a split decision — despite voluminous evidence of pipeline violations and a summer of muddy runoff — not to initiate further environmental review of the projects.
Photo courtesy of Mountain Valley Watch.

[ Update on FERC action ]

[ Press release on Va. water board ]

New map shows increase in land disturbed for coal mining

Researchers from SkyTruth, Duke University, and Appalachian Voices recently released the first-ever peer-reviewed study of the yearly footprint of surface coal mining in Central Appalachia, and the results are sobering.

[ Learn more and view the interactive map ]

Hidden treasures of our public forests

In the latest issue of The Appalachian Voice, we highlight some of the trails, waterfalls and other wonders found in our national and state forests. Peruse the listings to plan your next adventure! Photo by Mark Oleg Ozboyd, Southeast Nature Society

[ Explore these Hidden Treasures ]
[ Subscribe to The Appalachian Voice ]

The rural burden of home energy costs

A new report exposes how rural households spend 40% more of their income on energy costs than households in metropolitan areas. Our energy policy director breaks down the findings and examines how rural electric cooperatives could help families alleviate that burden through energy efficiency.

[ Read more ]

Renewed funding for cleaning up old coal mines

The U.S. House passed two amendments to the appropriations bill that would continue the work of cleaning up and repurposing old coal mines into viable economic initiatives. One measure expands the number of states to receive funding to six, while another earmarks $115 million for the next year.

[ Read more ]

Now’s a great time to become a NEW member of Appalachian Voices! Join today and you’ll be entered to win our “staycation package”: a signed copy of The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver and a natural skincare gift set from All Good!
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