News from the Appalachian Advocate

Submitted by Willa Mays, Executive Director, "Appalachian Voices"
191 Howard Street • Boone, NC

As the weather becomes colder and the days grow shorter, it's an ideal time to join together with friends and family and reflect on the many riches that have been gifted to us during the past year. Though I have lived in many parts of the country, Appalachia has always been home to me. I was born and lived most of my life in Appalachia, but, no matter how long you have lived here or even if you just visit, it doesn't take long for these mountains to become part of your personal landscape.

So it is with gratitude that I wake every morning to do the important work of protecting the land, air and water of Appalachia. To top it off, I also get to work with smart and passionate people like our members who love this region as much as I do.

Protecting it isn't an option for us—it's a necessity. Your support makes that work possible. And so for that I express my immense gratitude to you this Thanksgiving.

Wishing you the best,

Willa Mays
Executive Director

Only Two Days Left for Public Comments to the EPA!

The deadline for citizen comments on the EPA's proposed coal ash regulations is this Friday, November 19, and we need your help. Write the EPA and tell them that coal ash—which contains concentrated levels of mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals—should be treated as hazardous waste with federal oversight!

Alexandra Cousteau and the Blue Planet Expedition crew recently revisited the TVA coal ash disaster, interviewing our Riverkeeper, Donna Lisenby, and our research partners at the Tennessee Aquarium about the effects almost 2 years later. [Watch the interview]

Robert Kennedy, Jr. teamed up with Appalachian Voices to file intents to sue three coal companies over Clean Water Act violations. Photo by Jamie Goodman

$37,500 Matching Gift Donated to Protect Appalachian Waterways

Appalachian Voices is launching a new initiative to better protect surface and ground water. Our Appalachia Water Watch team has already uncovered an astounding 20,000 Clean Water Act violations by three coal companies in Kentucky, and in October, we teamed up with Robert Kennedy Jr., to file lawsuits against these coal companies.

A generous donor has pledged up to $37,500 for Appalachia Water Watch, but first we must raise the match. Please give today to help support this important new initiative!

PNC Bank Pulls the Plug on Mountaintop Removal Financing

Rainforest Action Network recently received recognition for its work on pressuring banks to stop funding mountaintop removal projects. PNC is the most recent bank to "bite the dust" on mountaintop removal mining financing. Appalachian Voices received a supporting award for providing data on coal companies that made the organization's campaign possible. Thanks, RAN!