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
https://linktr.ee/appalachianvoices
America’s clean 💧 is at risk. We need your voice to protect it!
Right now, the #EnvironmentalProtectionAgency is moving to weaken the #CleanWaterAct — threatening local control & public health.
Sign our petition to tell the EPA: Protect our water!
https://loom.ly/QZG9UWQ
Right now, the #EnvironmentalProtectionAgency is moving to weaken the #CleanWaterAct — threatening local control & public health.
Sign our petition to tell the EPA: Protect our water!
https://loom.ly/QZG9UWQ
Tell the EPA: Don't weaken the Clean Water Act!
Everyone deserves access to clean water — that’s why Congress passed the Clean Water Act more than 50 years ago. The law requires polluters to obtain permits for discharges of pollutants and fill material into waterways, and it requires states to set goals for cleaning up already-polluted waterways.
appvoices.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:28 PM
America’s clean 💧 is at risk. We need your voice to protect it!
Right now, the #EnvironmentalProtectionAgency is moving to weaken the #CleanWaterAct — threatening local control & public health.
Sign our petition to tell the EPA: Protect our water!
https://loom.ly/QZG9UWQ
Right now, the #EnvironmentalProtectionAgency is moving to weaken the #CleanWaterAct — threatening local control & public health.
Sign our petition to tell the EPA: Protect our water!
https://loom.ly/QZG9UWQ
West Virginia residents are invited to join our friend, From Below: Rising Together for Coalfield Justice, at the West Virginia State Capitol to call on elected leaders to take action on the Coalfield Clean Water Act on Monday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. https://loom.ly/qIEY_As #WaterForWV
February 11, 2026 at 11:01 PM
West Virginia residents are invited to join our friend, From Below: Rising Together for Coalfield Justice, at the West Virginia State Capitol to call on elected leaders to take action on the Coalfield Clean Water Act on Monday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. https://loom.ly/qIEY_As #WaterForWV
Today, the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously to continue operating its Kingston and Cumberland #coal plants indefinitely, instead of retiring them as it brings new gas power plants online at the same sites. https://appvoices.org/2026/02/11/tva-cuts-the-public-out/
TVA cuts the public out, keeps expensive and dangerous coal plants operating indefinitely
In a staggering reversal, the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously today to continue operating its Kingston and Cumberland coal plants indefinitely, instead of retiring them as it brings new gas power plants online at the same sites.
appvoices.org
February 11, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Today, the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously to continue operating its Kingston and Cumberland #coal plants indefinitely, instead of retiring them as it brings new gas power plants online at the same sites. https://appvoices.org/2026/02/11/tva-cuts-the-public-out/
Thanks, @repcohen.bsky.social, for calling on TVA to pause its vote on changes to the Kingston and Cumberland coal plants until the public can weigh in. https://loom.ly/6coIe4Q
Congressman Cohen Calls on TVA to Pause Vote on Changes to Kingston, Cumberland Fossil Plants Until Public Can Weigh In
I am writing to express serious concern regarding the recent issuance of Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (SEISs) for the Kingston and Cumberland Fossil Plants.
loom.ly
February 11, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Thanks, @repcohen.bsky.social, for calling on TVA to pause its vote on changes to the Kingston and Cumberland coal plants until the public can weigh in. https://loom.ly/6coIe4Q
Appalachian Voices is #hiring! We’re looking for a Human Resources Manager to oversee our HR practices and processes that support our team members.
🗓️: For early consideration, apply by March 2.
🔗 Apply now: https://appalachian.bamboohr.com/careers/56
🗓️: For early consideration, apply by March 2.
🔗 Apply now: https://appalachian.bamboohr.com/careers/56
February 11, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Appalachian Voices is #hiring! We’re looking for a Human Resources Manager to oversee our HR practices and processes that support our team members.
🗓️: For early consideration, apply by March 2.
🔗 Apply now: https://appalachian.bamboohr.com/careers/56
🗓️: For early consideration, apply by March 2.
🔗 Apply now: https://appalachian.bamboohr.com/careers/56
The #EPA announced it will issue a final rule on Thursday attempting to dramatically limit its responsibility to regulate the pollution that causes #ClimateChange, which is worsening dangerous flooding events, extreme droughts and heat waves throughout #Appalachia & beyond. https://loom.ly/151bIcc
Trump administration decision to deny the science of climate change puts communities at increased risk
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will issue a final rule on Thursday attempting to dramatically limit its responsibility to regulate the pollution that causes climate change, which is worsening dangerous flooding events, extreme droughts and heat waves throughout Appalachia and beyond.
appvoices.org
February 10, 2026 at 9:30 PM
The #EPA announced it will issue a final rule on Thursday attempting to dramatically limit its responsibility to regulate the pollution that causes #ClimateChange, which is worsening dangerous flooding events, extreme droughts and heat waves throughout #Appalachia & beyond. https://loom.ly/151bIcc
Last year, Pound, VA, received $ to create a labor-oriented monument downtown. Community members were deeply involved in shaping the project, which features the work of regional artists. 🎉 More in The Appalachian Voice: https://appvoices.org/2026/01/15/coal-labor-history-sets-stage-for-community/
Coal Labor History Sets Stage for Community
Residents and local leaders in Pound, Virginia, have been working hard to bring new life to the town's historic downtown. Last year, Pound received funding from Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia to create a labor-oriented monument downtown.
appvoices.org
February 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Last year, Pound, VA, received $ to create a labor-oriented monument downtown. Community members were deeply involved in shaping the project, which features the work of regional artists. 🎉 More in The Appalachian Voice: https://appvoices.org/2026/01/15/coal-labor-history-sets-stage-for-community/
#BreakingNews: #TVA announced it is planning to keep its Kingston and Cumberland coal plants operating for the foreseeable future, blowing by its upcoming deadlines to close the polluting facilities.
Tennessee Valley Authority goes back on commitment to retire dirty coal plants
In an extremely disappointing reversal, the Tennessee Valley Authority announced it is planning to keep its Kingston and Cumberland coal plants operating for the foreseeable future, blowing by its upcoming deadlines to close the polluting facilities.
appvoices.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:53 PM
#BreakingNews: #TVA announced it is planning to keep its Kingston and Cumberland coal plants operating for the foreseeable future, blowing by its upcoming deadlines to close the polluting facilities.
Our new #TVA policy platform provides leaders and lawmakers with a framework to ensure the nation’s largest federally owned utility and regional economic driver can continue to provide affordable, safe and reliable electricity while building trust with the people it serves. https://loom.ly/FJwMbKM
Ensuring an Affordable, Transparent, and Accountable Tennessee Valley Authority
The Tennessee Valley Authority is vitally important to the Southeast. TVA is not only the largest federally owned electric utility, but it also manages everything from flood control to river navigation that is critical to the nation’s supply chains, and provides recreation access and economic development for the region. Congress has a responsibility to ensure…
appvoices.org
February 9, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Our new #TVA policy platform provides leaders and lawmakers with a framework to ensure the nation’s largest federally owned utility and regional economic driver can continue to provide affordable, safe and reliable electricity while building trust with the people it serves. https://loom.ly/FJwMbKM
TVA's board of directors now has a quorum and can resume business as usual. With the reintroduction of a controversial board nominee, its long-term energy plan in flux and transparency bills pending in Congress, what is next for this public power provider? #TVA https://loom.ly/wMl-bkk
What’s next for TVA?
TVA’s board of directors now has a quorum and can get back to business as usual. With the reintroduction of a controversial board nominee, its long-term energy plan in flux and transparency bills pending in Congress, what is next for this public power provider?
appvoices.org
February 9, 2026 at 6:25 PM
TVA's board of directors now has a quorum and can resume business as usual. With the reintroduction of a controversial board nominee, its long-term energy plan in flux and transparency bills pending in Congress, what is next for this public power provider? #TVA https://loom.ly/wMl-bkk
#Virginia gives data centers billions in tax breaks while electricity bills & pollution rise. Tell VA lawmakers: data centers must pay their fair share & meet #CleanEnergy standards. #VALeg
https://loom.ly/9S_B-2U
https://loom.ly/9S_B-2U
Tell Virginia legislators: Data centers need to be good neighbors!
Tell Virginia legislators: Data centers need to be good neighbors!
appvoices.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:58 PM
#Virginia gives data centers billions in tax breaks while electricity bills & pollution rise. Tell VA lawmakers: data centers must pay their fair share & meet #CleanEnergy standards. #VALeg
https://loom.ly/9S_B-2U
https://loom.ly/9S_B-2U
AmeriCorps is offering a year-long VISTA position that will serve with the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices. If you have any questions, contact swvasolar@appvoices.org. #SWVA #GreenJobs
https://appvoices.org/careers/
https://appvoices.org/careers/
February 9, 2026 at 3:05 PM
AmeriCorps is offering a year-long VISTA position that will serve with the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices. If you have any questions, contact swvasolar@appvoices.org. #SWVA #GreenJobs
https://appvoices.org/careers/
https://appvoices.org/careers/
The Monongahela National Forest’s headwaters help supply drinking water throughout West Virginia and beyond. Our friends at West Virginia Rivers are working to secure permanent Wild & Scenic protection for these vital waterways.
https://act.wvrivers.org/a/wild-and-scenic
https://act.wvrivers.org/a/wild-and-scenic
It's a Waterway of Life
Sign the petition to protect your outdoor legacy. Tell Congress you support a Wild & Scenic Rivers Designation for our headwaters in the Mountain State.
act.wvrivers.org
February 7, 2026 at 7:01 PM
The Monongahela National Forest’s headwaters help supply drinking water throughout West Virginia and beyond. Our friends at West Virginia Rivers are working to secure permanent Wild & Scenic protection for these vital waterways.
https://act.wvrivers.org/a/wild-and-scenic
https://act.wvrivers.org/a/wild-and-scenic
Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia, funded by the Mellon Foundation and hosted by @virginiatech.bsky.social, features nine monuments that explore different forms and a variety of the region’s stories. https://loom.ly/kJesf9M
Creating New Appalachian Monuments
Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia is a three-year project that is seeking to expand the idea of what a monument can be. It features nine monuments that explore different forms and a variety of the region’s stories. The monuments take a variety of forms: traditional statues, a children’s book, an album and a music festival, a quilt and more.
appvoices.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia, funded by the Mellon Foundation and hosted by @virginiatech.bsky.social, features nine monuments that explore different forms and a variety of the region’s stories. https://loom.ly/kJesf9M
West Virginia coalfield communities are speaking out. Residents are calling on state lawmakers to fund clean water solutions this legislative session that address coal-related pollution by passing the Coalfield Clean Water Act this legislative session.
https://loom.ly/V5_bECA
https://loom.ly/V5_bECA
Coalfield communities demand action and funding for clean water this legislative session
For decades, the southern coalfields of West Virginia have struggled with clean water access. McDowell County has had a boil water advisory for more than 10 years. But clergy from the United Methodist Church have set out to change that.
wvecouncil.org
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 PM
West Virginia coalfield communities are speaking out. Residents are calling on state lawmakers to fund clean water solutions this legislative session that address coal-related pollution by passing the Coalfield Clean Water Act this legislative session.
https://loom.ly/V5_bECA
https://loom.ly/V5_bECA
A Navy veteran, community activist and lifelong environmental advocate, Bob Egbert has spent decades working to protect Virginia’s environment and to strengthen citizen engagement in government.
“Local engagement is just as important as lobbying at the state Capitol,” he says.
✍️: Jen Lawhorne
“Local engagement is just as important as lobbying at the state Capitol,” he says.
✍️: Jen Lawhorne
Bob Egbert: A Life of Service and Environmental Advocacy
A Navy veteran, community activist and lifelong environmental advocate, Bob Egbert has spent decades working to protect Virginia’s environment and to strengthen citizen engagement in government.
appvoices.org
February 3, 2026 at 5:15 PM
A Navy veteran, community activist and lifelong environmental advocate, Bob Egbert has spent decades working to protect Virginia’s environment and to strengthen citizen engagement in government.
“Local engagement is just as important as lobbying at the state Capitol,” he says.
✍️: Jen Lawhorne
“Local engagement is just as important as lobbying at the state Capitol,” he says.
✍️: Jen Lawhorne
Data centers use massive amounts of water. Support HB 589, HB 496 & SB 553 to require full disclosure of water use to DEQ & localities. Communities have a right to know. 💧
https://loom.ly/Wz6ANm0
https://loom.ly/Wz6ANm0
Tell Virginia lawmakers: Put communities before data centers!
Tell Virginia lawmakers: Put communities before data centers!
appvoices.org
February 3, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Data centers use massive amounts of water. Support HB 589, HB 496 & SB 553 to require full disclosure of water use to DEQ & localities. Communities have a right to know. 💧
https://loom.ly/Wz6ANm0
https://loom.ly/Wz6ANm0
Last week, Virginians showed up at No New Gas for Big Tech Lobby Day to urge lawmakers to pass HB 155 & SB 619, which would require massive new data centers (25+ MW) to get SCC approval. The vote is this week — tell lawmakers to vote YES. #VALeg
https://loom.ly/Wz6ANm0
https://loom.ly/Wz6ANm0
February 2, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Last week, Virginians showed up at No New Gas for Big Tech Lobby Day to urge lawmakers to pass HB 155 & SB 619, which would require massive new data centers (25+ MW) to get SCC approval. The vote is this week — tell lawmakers to vote YES. #VALeg
https://loom.ly/Wz6ANm0
https://loom.ly/Wz6ANm0
#BlackHistoryMonth encourages all of us to honor and reflect on the contributions, resilience, courage and legacy of Black individuals and organizations across our history and society — from civil rights icons such as Rosa Parks to modern-day Affrilachian writers like Frank X Walker.
February 1, 2026 at 4:02 PM
#BlackHistoryMonth encourages all of us to honor and reflect on the contributions, resilience, courage and legacy of Black individuals and organizations across our history and society — from civil rights icons such as Rosa Parks to modern-day Affrilachian writers like Frank X Walker.
Congress is moving to weaken our bedrock enviro law & you can stop it. The SPEED Act would silence public input on projects & make it harder for communities to stop harmful projects. Tell your senators to vote NO on the SPEED Act! https://loom.ly/Nytka4E
Protect our country's bedrock environmental law — stop the SPEED Act!
The SPEED Act would gut our country's bedrock environmental law, the National Environmental Policy Act.
appvoices.org
January 31, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Congress is moving to weaken our bedrock enviro law & you can stop it. The SPEED Act would silence public input on projects & make it harder for communities to stop harmful projects. Tell your senators to vote NO on the SPEED Act! https://loom.ly/Nytka4E
The Safe Passage coalition fear that the $2B rebuild project of I-40 after Hurricane Helene will represent a generational loss for wildlife connectivity in the Pigeon River Gorge — unless the plans are amended. @smokymountainnews.bsky.social https://loom.ly/R7b2tg
Word from the Smokies: I-40 rebuild will affect wildlife safety along the river for decades
Editor’s note: This piece is the second of a two-part series exploring plans to rebuild I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge and the project’s implication for wildlife populations in the region. Find the first installment in last week’s Smoky Mountain News print edition or online at smokymountainnews...
loom.ly
January 31, 2026 at 3:10 PM
The Safe Passage coalition fear that the $2B rebuild project of I-40 after Hurricane Helene will represent a generational loss for wildlife connectivity in the Pigeon River Gorge — unless the plans are amended. @smokymountainnews.bsky.social https://loom.ly/R7b2tg
UPDATE: Progress at the #Virginia #GeneralAssembly 🎉
The House Labor & Commerce Cmte advanced HB 807 &HB 809 to the full House, & a subcommittee moved HB 1073 forward.
✔️ HB 807 & HB 809 expand access to shared solar
✔️ HB 1073 strengthens gas pipeline safety in Virginia
#VALeg
The House Labor & Commerce Cmte advanced HB 807 &HB 809 to the full House, & a subcommittee moved HB 1073 forward.
✔️ HB 807 & HB 809 expand access to shared solar
✔️ HB 1073 strengthens gas pipeline safety in Virginia
#VALeg
January 30, 2026 at 9:31 PM
UPDATE: Progress at the #Virginia #GeneralAssembly 🎉
The House Labor & Commerce Cmte advanced HB 807 &HB 809 to the full House, & a subcommittee moved HB 1073 forward.
✔️ HB 807 & HB 809 expand access to shared solar
✔️ HB 1073 strengthens gas pipeline safety in Virginia
#VALeg
The House Labor & Commerce Cmte advanced HB 807 &HB 809 to the full House, & a subcommittee moved HB 1073 forward.
✔️ HB 807 & HB 809 expand access to shared solar
✔️ HB 1073 strengthens gas pipeline safety in Virginia
#VALeg
“Everyone deserves a safe community, clean air and water, safety on the job, and the basic constitutional protections at the foundation of our democracy. We urge our country’s leaders to work together to ensure that all of these rights are protected.”
Appalachian Voices statement on partial government shutdown
At Appalachian Voices, we believe that no matter our income level, the color of our skin or whether we live in a holler or a city, everyone deserves a safe community, clean air and water, safety on the job, and the basic constitutional protections at the foundation of our democracy. We urge our country’s leaders to work together to ensure that all of these rights are protected.
appvoices.org
January 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM
“Everyone deserves a safe community, clean air and water, safety on the job, and the basic constitutional protections at the foundation of our democracy. We urge our country’s leaders to work together to ensure that all of these rights are protected.”
FERC authorized the dangerous, expensive and unnecessary SSEP project, despite local opposition. Transco’s proposed SSEP project includes 55 miles of new pipeline that would run through VA and NC, and compressor station expansions. #NoSSEP https://appvoices.org/2026/01/30/ferc-ssep-pipeline/
FERC authorizes SSEP pipeline
Yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorized the dangerous, expensive and unnecessary Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, or SSEP.
appvoices.org
January 30, 2026 at 4:07 PM
FERC authorized the dangerous, expensive and unnecessary SSEP project, despite local opposition. Transco’s proposed SSEP project includes 55 miles of new pipeline that would run through VA and NC, and compressor station expansions. #NoSSEP https://appvoices.org/2026/01/30/ferc-ssep-pipeline/
Over-reliance on #FossilFuels is straining our grid. A diverse mix + more energy storage keeps the lights on, homes warm & people safe. #CleanEnergy like solar, wind & batteries is local & more affordable than ever.
https://loom.ly/S1H0yls
https://loom.ly/S1H0yls
January 30, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Over-reliance on #FossilFuels is straining our grid. A diverse mix + more energy storage keeps the lights on, homes warm & people safe. #CleanEnergy like solar, wind & batteries is local & more affordable than ever.
https://loom.ly/S1H0yls
https://loom.ly/S1H0yls