The Front Porch Blog, with Updates from AppalachiaThe Front Porch Blog, with Updates from Appalachia

Tennessee enacts law halting efforts to take over surface mine regulation from federal government

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments

On May 11, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee enacted a significant law that temporarily halts the state's pursuit of primacy. Primacy refers to a state's right to petition the federal government to become the primary authority in issuing surface mine permits and implementing associated regulations. [ Read More ]


Pictures don’t do it justice, and neither would a pipeline

Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 | Posted by Angie Mummaw | 1 Comment

All of the abundant natural beauty and wildlife we observed could be threatened if gas giant Kinder Morgan has its way. [ Read More ]


Online tool helps track status of mine ownership in aftermath of Blackjewel bankruptcy

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments

The fate of thousands of acres of mines requiring tens of millions of dollars of reclamation was thrown into doubt when Blackjewel, Revelation Energy and affiliated mining operations filed for bankruptcy in July 2019. [ Read More ]


Building community awareness to solve acid mine drainage: A conversation with DJ Coker

Thursday, December 9th, 2021 | Posted by Contributing Writers | No Comments

DJ Coker of Duff, Tennessee found acid mine drainage at a nearby pond that used to be part of a coal mining operation. Now, he’s made it his mission to get the site cleaned up and demand accountability from those responsible. Watch DJ's story. [ Read More ]


New Tennessee law is a giveaway for coal companies

Monday, July 26th, 2021 | Posted by Matt Hepler | No Comments

A new Tennessee law that changes the way surface mining is regulated in the state will force Tennessee taxpayers to prop up the industry and make it easier for coal operators to walk away from mine reclamation. [ Read More ]


Knoxville community groups call for affordable utilities

Friday, July 2nd, 2021 | Posted by Brianna Knisley | No Comments

The Knoxville Water and Energy for All campaign is made up of community and faith groups with a mission to bring solutions to the root problems of unaffordable bills and disconnections in Knoxville. [ Read More ]


Tennessee needs a moratorium on utility shutoffs

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 | Posted by Brianna Knisley | No Comments

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our health and livelihoods, utility shutoffs are hurting residents throughout Tennessee. Call Gov. Bill Lee today to ask him to stop utilities from disconnecting people from vital services during this crisis. [ Read More ]


Protected or not? Coal company pushes for mine in protected Tennessee area

Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 | Posted by Willie Dodson | No Comments

Federal regulators are considering a proposal for a new surface coal mine in Tennessee's Cumberland Mountains, despite the fact that in 2016, the federal government declared most of the area in question off-limits to surface mining. [ Read More ]


Tennessee “Energy Democracy Tour” gathers community input

Wednesday, October 9th, 2019 | Posted by Brianna Knisley | No Comments

The Tennessee Valley Energy Democracy Tour will hold its final stop in Claxton, Tenn., on Oct. 21. At more than 10 tour stops, community members discussed the impacts of TVA's energy system and shared their visions for the future. [ Read More ]


Takeaways from the TVA quarterly meeting

Thursday, February 21st, 2019 | Posted by Lesley Garrett | No Comments

Increased public participation but continued gaps in transparency marked TVA's recent quarterly meeting, which included a vote to close two of the utility's coal plants. [ Read More ]


In Tennessee, electric bill fees hurt customers

Thursday, January 31st, 2019 | Posted by AV's Intern Team | No Comments

As Tennessee electric utilities seek to maintain profits, they are are increasing fixed fees on customer electric bills, regardless of how much electricity they use. That's patently unfair, especially for lower-income people. [ Read More ]


Virginia electric co-ops fight to keep doors closed to members

Monday, December 3rd, 2018 | Posted by Brianna Knisley | 2 Comments

Rural electric co-ops were set up as democratic institutions, but have increasingly become unresponsive to their customers, who are also owner-members. In Virginia, members of two co-ops are challenging the status quo. [ Read More ]



 

 


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