appalachian voices
July 26, 2018 -
Vernon Haltom of West Virginia's Coal River Mountain Watch was among those who testified about coal's future before a congressional subcommittee this week. The testimony of Haltom — whose group is working to end mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia — details what boosting coal means for the communities where it's extracted.
May 5, 2016 -
After local residents began raising concerns about cancer clusters near Duke Energy coal ash waste pits, the state cancer registry conducted a study that it claims shows there's no cause for worry — but a epidemiologist who reviewed the state's analysis says it does nothing of the sort.
October 5, 2015 -
Days after announcing a settlement with the utility over its widespread coal ash pollution, N.C. officials were monitoring two of its high-hazard dams holding back millions of tons of the toxic power plant waste after reports of rain-related issues. State officials say the problems — seepage on one dam and a sinkhole near another — are not polluting the environment or endangering the public.
September 24, 2015 -
People from across North Carolina whose lives have been affected by coal ash pollution have joined forces to launch the Alliance of Carolinians Together Against Coal Ash. The coalition plans to press Duke Energy and state leaders for safer long-term solutions for coal ash storage.
June 12, 2015 -
Born into a renowned Kentucky ballad-singing family, Ritchie went on to earn fame for preserving old songs and composing original tunes protesting the destructiveness of coal mining. She died earlier this month at age 92.
May 6, 2015 -
Over 100 corporations will receive shareholder resolutions this year calling on them to voluntarily disclose their political spending and lobbying activities. Some companies have already begun disclosing this information voluntarily, including North Carolina-based tobacco giant Reynolds American.
May 1, 2014 -
That's the question an environmental advocacy group raises in a new video about Duke Energy's Belews Creek power plant in Stokes County, NC. The video intensifies the spotlight shining on the company's environmental impact in the wake of a massive coal ash spill into the Dan River from another Duke plant.
