Appalachian Voices
Description
Appalachian Voices is an environmental organization that works to protect the land, air and water of Central and Southern Appalachia.
It campaigns against harmful fossil fuel practices such as mountaintop removal coal mining and unnecessary fracked-gas pipelines, and pushes for a shift to clean energy sources including efficiency, solar and wind power. It challenges utility practices that it says put profits ahead of people. Its stated goal is to build economic solutions that create community wealth while sustaining Appalachia’s mountains, forests and waters.
It works through grassroots organizing, community engagement, policy advocacy and technical expertise, holding decision makers accountable in courtrooms, state capitals and Washington, D.C. It builds partnerships with local leaders and forges relationships with state and federal officials. It publishes The Appalachian Voice, a news publication covering environmental and cultural issues in the region.
Appalachian Voices was founded in 1997, growing out of a publication started in 1996 as part of a Sierra Club chapter. It has offices in Boone, North Carolina; Charlottesville and Norton, Virginia; and Knoxville, Tennessee, covering a five-state area of Central and Southern Appalachia.
Latest news
Groups sue TVA over Clean Air Act violations at Kingston site
On Thursday, the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club, sued the Tennessee Valley Authority for violating the Clean Air Act and putting public health at risk by building its new Kingston Gas Plant, which TVA plans to operate alongside its...
25 Sep 2026
Coal miners head to the Hill, calling for black lung protections and disability benefit improvements
Next week, coal miners and their families, doctors, attorneys and supporters are traveling to the nation’s capitol to meet with senators and representatives to advocate for improving black lung benefits and protections.
25 Sep 2026
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
24 Sep 2026
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these...
24 Sep 2026
Gov. Spanberger announces comprehensive Data Center Accountability platform
The governor’s platform includes many of the solutions that advocates have been calling for over the past several years.
18 Sep 2026
After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain
A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.
17 Sep 2026
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