AppalachianThe June/July 2016 Voice

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Plus: 21st Century Energy Co-ops | WV Mine Wars Museum | Hidden Treasures of Appalachia TheAppalachianVOICE oss Ap A note from the executive director cr palachia A publication of A Environmental News From Around the Region AppalachianVoices Three years ago, Appalachian Voices launched our “Energy Savings for Appalachia” NC: 171 Grand Blvd., Boone, NC 28607 • 828-262-1500 program with high hopes of making home energy efficiency improvements more VA: 812 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-293-6373 affordable for more people. Saving energy saves families money, results in more Region experienced wider, more intense forest fires this spring Other Regional Offices: Knoxville, TN • Norton, VA • Raleigh, NC comfortable and healthy homes, creates local jobs and reduces environmental impacts By Savannah Clemmons April, the brush dried out, resulting in total amount of acres burned in the area Flames from debris fires account AppalachianVoices.org | [email protected] from burning fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. near perfect conditions for wildfires. between 2003 and 2015. for a large amount of human-caused Editor...... Jamie Goodman This spring, forest fires throughout We reached a major milestone this spring when Blue Ridge Electric Membership Managing Editor...... Molly Moore southern and central Appalachia burned According to Jennings, North Caro- In Virginia’s Shenandoah National wildfires. In spring 2015, 43 percent of all Associate Editor...... Elizabeth E. Payne Corp., a rural electric cooperative in western North Carolina, announced a new financing lina’s most unique fire of the season was Park, the Rocky Mountain fire burned forest fires in West Virginia were caused Contributing Editor...... Brian Sewell wider than fires of previous seasons. option for its members. The co-op will pay the upfront costs of energy efficiency Contributing Editor...... Eliza Laubach The increase in intensity came as peak the Silver Mine fire that burned near over 10,000 acres in what is considered by escaped debris from campfires. Distribution Manager...... Lauren Essick improvements for eligible members, who enjoy the benefits immediately while repaying Hot Springs, N.C., in late April. Due to to be the park’s second-largest fire on While low-intensity forest fires can Editorial Assistant...... Savannah Clemmons wildfire season overlapped with a period the co-op over time through a new charge on their electric bill. Editorial Assistant...... Hannah Petersen of particularly dry weather throughout its size and proximity to the town, the record. The Rocky Mountain fire, along replenish forests, high-intensity fires such Graphic Designer...... Maggie Sherwood Appalachian Voices worked with the co-op, local businesses, residents and fire posed a bigger threat to ecosystems with the Silver Mine and Buck Knob fires as those that have burned this season Graphic Designer...... Haley Rogers the Appalachian region. community organizations to establish the program, known as “on-bill financing.” Marketing Assistant...... Dylan Turner and the public than typical forest fires. in North Carolina, closed several sections can jeopardize ecosystems by damaging As we help Blue Ridge Electric publicize and further improve the program, we are Lisa Jennings, a public information officer at the U.S. Forest Service, says The Silver Mine fire took two weeks to of state parks and the Appalachian Trail. canopy habitats. In order to prevent high- DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEERS: Alison Auciello, Karen Austin-Clayton, Debbie Bahr, Heather Baker, expanding our campaign to more co-ops in western North Carolina. And to broaden extinguish and resulted in a total of 5,964 When confronted with especially intensity fires that threaten communities Becky Barlow, Aaron Barr, Shawn Becker, Bob Belton, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, Blue Smoke our impact, Appalachian Voices co-founded a statewide group to help more families that because of the wet winter, the spring Coffee, Charlie Bowles, Lynn Brammer, Ben Bristoll, Steve Brooks, Teri Crawford Brown, Derek Burke, acres burned. dry weather conditions during peak and natural areas, Jennings says that in- receive the benefits of on-bill financing. 2016 wildfire season began slowly. How- Patricia Cales, Sarah Smith Caskey, Charlie Chakales, Kim and Shay Clanton, Patty Clemens, Carly Throughout April, wildfires contin- wildfire season, it is important for hu- dividuals must “use common sense,” fol- Crickenberger, Darlene Cunningham, John David, Sister Beth Davies, Deborah Deatherage, Bill Elliott, Meanwhile, in East Tennessee we have been working with the Department of ever, as central and southern Appalachia ued to grow in intensity. The Starlight mans to recognize their own influence. low cautions and restrictions released by Jakob Elliott, Nels Erickson, Lara Foster, Frank Frey, Charles Garratt, Dave Gilliam, Scott Goebel, Lisa Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and experienced a two-to-three week period Goodpaster, Bruce Gould, Gary Greer, Bill Harris, Paul Hays, Susan Hazlewood, Sharon Helt, Tim fire in Greene County, Tenn., burned 90 “Ninety-nine percent of wildfires are the forest service, and recognize weather Appalachian Electric Cooperative to design an on-bill financing program, on track to be with little rainfall at the beginning of Huntley, Pamela Johnston, Mary K., Denny Keeney, Allison Keith, Rose Koontz, Frances Lamberts, acres, the equivalent of nearly half the human caused,” Jennings states. patterns that could increase fire danger. Susan Lewis, Loy Lilley, Debra Locher, Joy Lourie, Diane Lucas, Gail Marney, Mast General Store, finalized soon. Due largely to our community outreach, more than half of East Tennessee’s Kate McClory, Kim McClure, Rich McDonough, Mike McKinney, Steve Moeller, Nick Mullins, Catherine eight co-ops have shown strong interest in offering on-bill financing for their members. Murray, Don O’Dell, Rob Osborne, Eva Perkins, Patti Phelps, Rick Phelps, Bronwyn Reece, Martin Kentucky Tourism Experiences Strongest Growth in 10 Years Virginia Doctor Wins Award for Work With Mobile Care Clinic Richards, Carol Rollman, Kristin Rouse, Jenny Rytel, Debbie Samuels, Steve Scarborough, Gerry Read more about electric cooperatives and energy efficiency beginning on page 10. The Kentucky Department of Travel and state’s economy. This part of the state Dr. Joseph Smiddy was recognized as that provides health care and screenings and Joe Scardo, Frank Schaller, Kathy Selvage, Brenda Sigmon, Ricky Snapp, Lucy Spencer, Jennifer Tourism announced in May that it contrib- contains many natural attractions, includ- By this time next year, we anticipate that at least several the Unsung Hero at the Heroes in Health- to medically underserved residents in City Stertzer, Jim Stockwell, Robert Thompson, Derrick Von Kundra, Bill Wasserman, Dean Whitworth, Amy uted $13.7 billion to the state’s economy in ing the Appalachian mountains and Daniel Wickham, Barbara Williamson, Diana Withen, Gabrielle Zeiger, Ray Zimmerman million dollars in new energy efficiency investments will have care Awards Ceremony held on May 26. of Norton, and Dickenson, Buchanan, Rus- 2015, which is the most added in a single Boone National Forest, which have made been made in Appalachia as a result of our efforts. But there’s The Unsung Hero award is given to an sell, Scott and Wise counties of Virginia. In year since 2005. This growth created more Kentucky such a desirable destination. more work ahead, and we are deeply committed to achieving individual who has helped to provide care a press release, The Health Wagon’s Execu- About the Cover than 6,000 jobs in the industry since 2014, This area hosts a number of horse trails, for uninsured Virginia residents. Smiddy is tive Director Dr. Teresa Gardner said, “No Wild foods ambassador Alan Muskat harvests a morel while the region’s full energy savings potential and realizing a more for a total of 186,204 tourism jobs. mountain and lake state parks, more than one of the few doctors working with The person could be more deserving of such an leading a foraging excursion near Weaverville, N.C. Muskat sustainable future for Appalachia. Tourism to the state’s eastern region 500 miles of hiking trails, and the Red Health Wagon, a nonprofit mobile clinic award.” — Hannah Petersen introduces patrons to native edible plants through his enter- added more than a billion dollars to the River Gorge. — Dylan Turner prise No Taste Like Home. Foraging, he says, allows people For the mountains, to reconnect with nature and their ancestors — and “it’s never the same old shiitake.” Photo by Jim Britt Tom Cormons, Executive Director Until Aug. 31, Appalachian Voices members will get $10 off a tour or gift certificate with coupon code VOICES. Visit notastelikehome.org

GET INVOLVED environmental & cultural events See more at appvoices.org/calendar N.C. High Country Farm Tours the festival. $35-110. Beattyville, Ky. Visit whip- FloydFest sign. Camp and network with individuals of all June 18, Caldwell Co.; July 16, Watauga Co.; poorwillfest.com or call 859-447-6534. July 27-31: An incredible 5-day music and arts backgrounds. Payment options vary. Celo, N.C. Aug. 13, Ashe Co.: Learn where food comes from Best of Birthplace of Rivers festival in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains Register at southeasternpermaculturegather- by touring local farms and gain a unique per- July 9-10: Join West Virginia Rivers staff to near Floyd, Va., combines musical performances ing.org or call 303-931-7586. spective on how sustainable farms operate. $15- celebrate the rivers of West Virginia with food, from stellar artists of all genres with a family- RiverFest by RiverLink 20 per carload. To pay for tickets or volunteer, music and outdoor activities. $75 through oriented outdoor camping adventure. Appala- Aug. 13: Enjoy local music, food, beer and visit farmtour.brwia.org or call 828-386-1537. July 1; tickets include food, entertainment and chian Voices is the featured nonprofit, so stop the Anything That Floats Parade. Celebrate Rhododendron Festival excursions. Slatyfork, W.Va. Visit tinyurl.com/ by our table and say hi! $95-240. Learn more at the French Broad River and the city of Ashe- June 18-19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Showcasing the WVRivers or call 304-637-7201. appvoices.org/floydfest or call 888-VA-FESTS. ville, N.C. Free. Visit riverlink.org/experience/ blossoms of Rhododendron Gardens, this MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove New River Cave Tour riverfest or call 828-252-8474. tradition includes musicians, crafters, food and July 15-16: Celebrate the heritage of the High July 28, 2-4 p.m.: Explore the caves of New River Natural Dye Symposium more. Free. Roan Mountain State Park, Tenn. Country with Appalachian music, food and Trail State Park and learn about the geology of Aug. 13: Learn how to grow and use natural Visit tnstateparks.com or call 423-772-0190. more. $20-$25 single-day tickets benefit the these underground spaces. Dress to get dirty. Max dyes and practice using plant dyes to color 4th of July Parade Cumberland Doc and Merle Watson Folk Art Museum. Sugar Meadows, Va. $10, pre-registration required. Visit different natural fibers. $50 - $60. Cost includes Mountain State Park Grove, N.C. Visit musicfestnsugargrove.org or tinyurl.com/newrivertrail or call 276-699-6778. lunch and a plant sample. Knoxville, Tenn. Visit July 4, 10 a.m.: Celebrate Independance Day call 828-297-2200. Virginia Highlands Festival utgardens.wildapricot.org/UTGardensEvents or with a parade, homemade ice cream, water- Small Farm Marketing July 29- Aug. 7: The annual festival celebrates call 865-974-7324. melon seed spitting contest and 2016 Inde- Principles Workshop Virginia’s cultural and natural beauty. Outdoor Hike Bluff Mountain Preserve pendence Pride contest. Free. Crossville, Tenn. July 21: Pine Settlement School’s workshop events include wildlife hikes, biking events, kaya- Ongoing: Take a guided tour of The Nature Visit tnstateparks.com or call 931-484-6138. will help small farmers learn to better connect king and wine tours. Costs vary. Abingdon, Va. Conservancy’s Bluff Mountain Preserve and The Whippoorwill Festival farms to the public and market agricultural Visit vahighlandsfestival.org or call 276-623-5266. learn about the botanical variety of this fragile July 7-10: Join Kentucky Heartwood at the products. Pine Mountain, Ky. Free. Register for Southeastern Permaculture landscape. Hikes available most weekends 6th annual Whippoorwill festival. Learn earth- the workshop at tinyurl.com/PineMnt or call Gathering during the summer and fall. Ashe Co., N.C. friendly living skills by participating in some 606-558-5282. Aug. 5-7: Join permaculture advocates for a $15. Visit tinyurl.com/BluffMountain or call of the many workshops that will be offered at collaborative discussion of sustainable de- 336-385-6312. cross Appalachia A Environmental News From Around the Region Agreement Stops Trash Trains in Boyd County, Ky. Computer Models Could Fight Toxins in the New River

By Hannah Petersen Landfill and the state Department for By Savannah Clemmons from the New River. Environmental Protection. The agreement In order to more aggressively con- Due to an agreement spearheaded by Scientists and researchers at Virginia not only eliminates all rail deliveries but front PCBs, researchers are using com- a citizens group in Boyd County, Ky., Big Tech have begun to use computer-gener- also requires the closure of large areas of puter-generated models to pinpoint the Run Landfill will stop accepting waste ated models that could help fight toxic the landfill and installation of air monitor- sources of contaminants in the river brought in by rail and will transition to a PCB chemicals in the New River. ing systems around the property. and to gauge the extent of the pollution. regional landfill accepting trash only from PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, “It was something I knew had to be This mapping technology will allow within 75 miles of the site. According are industrial compounds that were taken care of,” says Towler. “This agree- researchers to better understand how to Boyd County Judge-Executive Steve banned in 1977 after scientists found ment brought everyone together to reach toxic chemicals move and interact with Towler, the residents of Boyd County saw them to be possible causes of several ill- a beneficial and easonabler conclusion.” ecosystems over time. the last “trash train” delivery on April nesses, including gastrointestinal disease Big Run is Kentucky’s largest land- According to the Virginia Depart- 19, after raising complaints of disruptive and cancer. Humans come in contact with fill and holds nearly 43 million tons of ment of Environmental Quality, map- odors for nearly two years. PCBs through the consumption of fish. waste within a mile of a high school and ping PCBs in the New River is an im- Ending the trash trains was the result Since 2001 the Virginia Department of nearby homes. For years, Big Run had portant step in understanding how to of an agreement between the Citizens Health has maintained several advisories accepted waste brought on trains from stop the spread of pollution and obtain of Boyd County Environmental Coali- against consuming certain fish caught as far away as New Jersey, according to tion, Boyd County Fiscal Court, Big Run higher water quality. The Herald Dispatch. New Virginia Main Street Towns Aim to Thrive New App Allows Citizens to Report Sediment in Waterways Lexington and Wytheville, Va., are two one-time projects. Economic consulting A new smartphone app called Muddy Muddy Water Watch intends to fight of four new towns to be considered Virginia services will also become available. Water Watch empowers any user to report sediment pollution, the number one reason Main Street Communities. The Virginia Main Main Street Lexington Executive Direc- sediment pollution across the United States. for poor water quality in North Carolina. Street Program, managed by the Virginia tor Stephanie Wilkinson hopes to make use Users can take a photo of water pollution, Carson said that they are adding river- Department of Housing and Community of the upper floors of downtown buildings provide a description and use location tech- keepers into the system on the state level Development, works to revitalize select for condos or small businesses. Wytheville nology to submit the report to the nearest first, but any report across the nation can downtown economies, while preserving plans on opening several new businesses environmental watchdog organization, such still be submitted to him. their historic value. Towns with a Main Street over the summer in addition to the six that as a local Riverkeeper group. The app is the “There had been a region and statewide designation become eligible for certain were established last year, and potentially latest extension of Muddy Water Watch, a effort to train citizens to monitor sediment, grants, such as Downtown Improvement more by the end of 2016. — Dylan Turner program sponsored by North Carolina River- but the largest hold-up was recording tools,” Grants that can provide up to $25,000 for keepers. Hartwell Carson, the French Broad says Carson. “This is simple and greatly Riverkeeper, paired up with Shiny Creek, an improves our ability to record.” Study Shows Nutrients natural barriers, the greenway “encourages Asheville-based web and mobile application The app is available on iTunes and wellness and connectivity” throughout the development company to create the app. Google Play. — Hannah Petersen Returning to Damaged S.C. Soil community. — Savannah Clemmons An ongoing study by Dr. Dan Richter, a Tennessee Passes New Lead Notification Bill professor of Soils and Forest Ecology at Duke Environmental Education Center University, shows Piedmont soils are making Opens in West Virginia In April, Tennessee’s governor passed ering levels above the federal standard. The a slow recovery from erosion and carbon The National Park Service opened Senate Bill 2450 requiring quicker notifica- water utilities must also provide information damages caused by cotton production. Ac- Camp Brookside Environmental Educa- tion of dangerous lead levels in public water. regarding potential contamination sources, cording to university news outlet DukeToday, tion Center in Brooks, W.Va., on May 21. Under this law, public water systems must health effects and possible mitigation to the the land in the Piedmont and in western South Originally a children’s summer camp, Camp notify the Tennessee Department of Environ- agency. The previous law allowed utilities Carolina lost half a foot of topsoil to erosion Brookside was renovated to house research ment and Conservation within 24 hours and to wait 60 days before notifying the public due to cotton farming. This caused the soil’s and environmental education services. The affected residents within 72 hours of discov- of lead contamination. — Hannah Petersen organic carbon level, an indicator of soil center has seven cabins, a mess hall, field health, to drop by almost half by the middle of study tools and other amenities that can be the 20th century. Richter explains that forests found at nps.gov/neri. — Hannah Petersen have returned to the area and falling leaves and branches have begun to return nutrients to the soil. — Hannah Petersen Online Water Mapping a Useful Tool for Citizens Virginia Greenway Receives The U.S. Environmental Protection Agen- Environmental Award cy released an online resource where users The Hawksbill Greenway in Luray, Va., can learn more about water sources and water was honored with a gold medal as a part of the quality. The Drinking Water Mapping Applica- Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards. tion to Protect Source Waters allows users to The greenway consists of a two-mile walking enter an address and see both the source of We provide our Community Supported Agriculture members with a weekly share and biking trail along the Hawksbill Creek. drinking water for that area as well as potential of fresh-picked veggies from our organic gardens in Floyd, Va. Members choose A report from the Virginia Department or existing sources of contamination. The tool from our buffet-style selection of the finest organic produce at wholesale prices. of Environmental Quality states that by is located at epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/ Locations in Roanoke, Radford, Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Va. providing citizens with fitness classes and dwmaps. —Dylan Turner waterbearfarm.com - [email protected] - (540) 577-9178 protecting the creek from pollution using

Page 4 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 Photo by Brian Greer palachian swimming holes including Georgia’s Sutton Hole and North Carolina’s Toe Hole in our Summer 1998 Kentucky Hidden Treasures issue. — S.C. or the past 20 years, in addition to highlighting environmental problems in our region, The Appalachian Craighead Voice has also sought to showcase our magnificent, ancient mountains that people from all over the world come to Caverns and visit. For this issue, we offer up just a taste of the natural adventures and cultural highlights from our story archives, F and invite you to explore even more of these in our special online section (including the 2012 Waterfalls of Appalachia the Lost Sea insert!) at AppVoices.org/HiddenTreasures. By Savannah Clemmons and Jamie Goodman Tennessee Craighead Caverns in Sweetwater, Tenn., is home Photo by Cassandra Ellison, Dudley Falls to America’s largest un- Photo by Carl Galie BlueRidgeNCGuide.com Photo courtesy of The Lost Sea Adventure derground lake, known as In southwest Tennessee, Paint Creek the Lost Sea. The cavern pools to form Dudley Falls. The water- Paddling Appalachia features unique geologic formations called anthodites, fall, and the swimming hole beneath, is a cool-water Photo by Dana Kuhnline or “cave flowers,” which are crystal-like minerals found in In the summer of 2009, Tim W. gathering place perfect during a hot summer day. The only a handful of caves worldwide. Lost Sea Adventures Jackson, former editor of Canoe and swimming hole ranges in depth, great for families with provides guided journeys into the cave, including a 3/4- Bad Branch State Nature Preserve Kayak magazine, outlined for The Ap- children of all ages. Set against the picturesque water- mile hike and a glass bottom boat ride on the lake, as On the southern face of Kentucky’s Pine Mountain palachian Voice eight choice paddling fall, the Dudley Falls swimming hole provides a relaxing well an overnight “wild cave” tour for groups. Covered lies a 2,639-acre piece of land that contains some of opportunities in central and southern place to swim or catch some sunrays while laying out in our Early Winter 1997 issue. — S.C. the most diverse ecosystems and stunning sandstone Appalachia. From heart-pounding on the rocks. We covered Dudley Falls and other Ap- class IV-V rapids to tranquil lake excur- geology in the state. Located near Whitesburg, Ky., the sions, the list he created was by no preserve consists of a network of trails that leads hikers North Carolina Photo by Kent Mason as an artillery training ground in World War II, so visitors means complete, but well-represents through a gorge filled with hemlock and rhododendron are cautioned to stay on marked trails. Covered in our Elk Knob State Park the diversity of the region’s aquatic the 1996 Olympic Games whitewater events. and past the 60-foot Bad Branch falls. Hikers can sun- June/July 2012 Hidden Treasures issue. — J.G. In September 2011, volunteers from across the region adventures. — J.G. Youghiogheny River (WV, PA, MD) — Various bathe on the trail’s boulders, cool off under the falls, or completed the construction of a trail to the summit of the Gaul ey River (WV) — Class III-V rapids, one of the sections offer class I-II, the Lower “Yough” offers take the High Rock Loop or Pine Mountain Scenic Trail Droop Mountain to witness incredible views. Nature sightings include 5,520-foot Elk Knob, one of 10 peaks in the Amphibolite preeminent expert whitewater rivers in the country. expert class III-IVs. Battlefield State Park Mountains in the northwestern corner of North Carolina. New River (NC, VA, WV) — From picturesque calm Chat tahoochee River (GA) — Typically a class I black bears, wildflowers or even Kentucky’s only known Located on Route 219 just north of Lewisburg, Due to the mountain’s soil, which is derived from the rich in N.C. and Va., to exciting class IV+ in the New or II, dam releases or heavy rains can offer a few nesting pair of common ravens. Covered in our Early Droop Mountain is home to West Virginia’s last civil metamorphic rock called amphibolite, Elk Knob hosts a River Gorge. more thrills and spills. Winter 2013 issue. — S.C. war battle scene. A Civil- variety of rare plant and animal species, such as the Gray’s Nolichuck y River (NC, TN) — Flows through a L ake Guntersville (AL) — 69,000-acre reservoir West Virginia ian Conservation Corps- Lily and trailing wolfsbane. The state park, opened in 2002, deep mountain gorge, ranging from class I-IIIs that provides excellent canoe or kayak fishing. Bear Rocks Preserve built museum and lookout now includes four trails which vary in difficulty, as well as a to the class IV rapid, Quarter Mile. Allegheny Reser voir (PA, NY) — Surrounded by Located near Dolly Sods Wilderness, this 477-acre tower still stand by the backcountry camping area. The picnic area, located near Ocoee River (TN) — Action-packed class III and IV national forest and park lands, perfect for canoe- Nature Conservancy tract offers views stretching as far battlefield, and a system the kid-friendly Beech Tree Trail, offers an opportunity to runs gained the Ocoee worldwide attention during camping. east as Shenandoah National Park. Due to extensive de- of easy to strenuous short relax or enjoy lunch. While Beech Tree and Maple Run forestation, the preserve is a wind-swept plateau dotted hiking trails lead to a natu- are easy hikes, the Summit Trail provides a challenge for with stunted red spruce and barren shrub species char- ral spring, mountain bog, more experienced hikers. First covered in our Oct./Nov. Corn Maze in Patrick special 5-minute audio recordings accessible on acteristic of subalpine zones, providing habitat to plants pump house and a series 2011 issue. — S.C. County, photo by Sammy Shelor your car radio. The Birthplace of Country Music, and animals normally found much further north. The of caves. The park also John C. Campbell Folk School the Carter Family Fold, and the Clinch Mountain conservancy has worked to encourage native plant life offers reenactments of the Bluegrass Fest are just a few of the rich offerings such as huckleberry, wild azalea and the once-abundant battle during the month of This hub of Appalachian art and cultural learning along the route. First covered in our Summer 2007 red spruce. The plateau is also home to high-elevation October. Covered in our located in Brasstown, N.C., offers over 860 weekly or issue. — J.G. cranberry bogs and giant boulders from which you can June/July 2012 Hidden weekend classes for adults in the areas of art, music, spot migrating raptors and songbirds. The land was used Treasures issue. — J.G. dance, cooking and storytelling. Learn how to make bas- Carvin’s Cove Nature Preserve kets from trees, cloth- Virginia Seven miles north of Roanoke, Va., ing from natural fibers, Pennsyl vania Black Moshannon State Park lies the largest city-managed park east and books bound from In addition to more than 20 miles of trails and a Crooked Road of the Mississippi River. Carvin’s Cove leather. Day visitors are network of adjacent unpaved state forest roads, Hop in your car and follow the 333-mile protects over 12,000 acres of beautiful, welcome to tour the the 3,394-acre Black Moshannon park contains long Crooked Road in Southwest Virginia to thick forests surrounding a large reser- craft and history center, 1,592 acres of rare protected bog that is home to experience a living history of Appalachian voir. The cove is home to over 50 miles hike the nature trails three species of carnivorous plants, 17 varieties mountain music and culture. The year- of scenic hiking and biking trails. The and beautiful grounds, of orchids, and other unique species that make round tour covers 19 counties and over 50 preserve has become a valued hotspot or attend a free concert this a naturalist’s dream. Part of the state’s Impor- towns and communities, and is comprised for mountain bikers, with routes ranging series and semi-weekly tant Bird Area, birdwatchers have spotted more of museums, exhibits and more than 60 in difficulty from easy, like Riley’s Loop, Saturday night commu- than 175 different species, including the Greater venues where travelers can watch live to strenuous, such as the Hemlock nity dances. Covered and Lesser Yellowlegs, the Alder Flycatcher and performances of bluegrass and old-time, Tunnel Trail. Covered in our Early Winter in our Dec/Jan 2012 Photo courtesy of John C. Campbell the Common Yellowthroat. Covered in our June/ see instruments being made and more. Photo courtesy of the 1997 issue. — S.C. issue. — S.C. Folk School, folkschool.org July 2012 Hidden Treasures issue. — J.G. Wayside exhibits along the route include City of Roanoke Photo by Ruhrfisch

Page 6 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 June / July 2016 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 7 Mine Wars The Battle to Save Stepping into the Mine Wars Continued from previous page Blair Mountain leader Frank Keeney told Decades after the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain, Museum tells the story of the dramatic struggle the crowd. “The only way the effort to conserve the battlefield and the mountain you can get your rights is has put the area at the center of another sort of conflict: to unionize coal mines in West Virginia with a high-powered rifle.” Alpha Natural Resources and Arch Coal both have Later that month, min- permits for surface mining on Blair Mountain. By Molly Moore led miners of diverse racial and ethnic After years of campaigning by historical and backgrounds to unify under the banner ers began assembling in On a Saturday in May, a crowd environmental preservation organizations, in 2009 the of the United Mine Workers of America Kanawha County, aiming to Blair Mountain Battlefield — a 1600-acre portion of gathered in Matewan, W.Va., to wit- and demand improved working and march 50 miles, overthrow the mountain — was added to the National Register ness a local, all-volunteer cast reenact a living conditions. the mine guard system, of Historic Places. bloody clash that affected the struggle Though inclusion on the national register doesn’t At the museum, Kimberly McCoy and free workers in Logan to unionize Appalachian coal mines. prohibit mining, it would establish an additional federal serves as program fellow, welcoming County who had been im- The outdoor drama recounts the 1920 hurdle for any mining permits near the battlefield. visitors and imparting her passion for prisoned under martial The museum displays a ribbon memorializing Sid shootout alternately known as the Mate- The advocates’ 2009 victory was short-lived. Just the subject. Her great-great-great uncle law. Logan County Sheriff Hatfield and Ed Chambers and a photograph of their a few months later, the site was delisted “at the urging wan Massacre or Battle of Matewan. Dur- Don Chafin was firmly on widows. Weapons and spent ammunition emphasize of coal companies owning land on Blair Mountain,” was Sid Hatfield, the Matewan chief the violence of the time period. At left, visitors study ing the confrontation, union miners and the side of the coal com- according to a recent court document. of police who was at the center of the a map during the museum’s grand opening. Photos their supporters faced off against private The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum transports visitors to the early 20th century, when local But in April 2016, a federal judge declared that the 1920 shootout, and her grandfather panies. “No armed mob courtesy of West Virginia Mine Wars Museum detectives hired by the coal companies to miners fought against powerful coal companies to secure union rights. Inside, the collection presents battlefield had been improperly removed from the register, Earklis Perkins, a proud union miner, will cross Logan County,” quash the rising labor movement. oral histories, digitized film reels, artifacts, maps and historic photos. Photo by Molly Moore so the decision is now back in the hands of the Keeper of he declared, and assembled the National Register of Historic Places. was buried in his UMWA hat. at times, the state of West Nearly 100 years later, the events a force of deputies, mine workers were given the right to bargain “It was a terrible, trying time,” she mands included union recognition management and workers. On May 19, Virginia (see upper right). leading up to that fateful day and the guards and local volunteers at Blair collectively and the mine guard system says of the struggle to unionize the early and equal wages. The companies hired 1920, Baldwin-Felts detectives arrived “It’s a subject that for a 2016 is off to a strong start. Some, like struggles that followed are featured at Mountain along the county line. was abolished in West Virginia.” 20th-century coal camps. McCoy grew hundreds of mine guards through the in Matewan to evict striking miners at variety of reasons has been convenient a British couple that visited on a recent the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum After initial skirmishes and a Building on the Past up listening to her family’s stories about Baldwin-Felts detective agency to break a nearby coal camp. to forget,” says Martin. “And that goes Sunday, make the journey after watch- in downtown Matewan. The museum shooting of union sympathizers, ten- the hardships they endured and their the strike. When the detectives returned to Pride in Matewan’s union history back to the initial participants — many ing the PBS documentary or the 1987 opened in May 2015 in a building that sions boiled over into the Battle of Blair passionate fight to establish the union. Violence troubled the area for town, they were met in front of the isn’t new — the town was placed on the of them would not talk about the events film “Matewan.” Others are tourists still bears bullet holes from the confron- Mountain on Aug. 29. During the fight- “It was a sacrifice, it was a sacrifice all months; mine guards evicted many hardware store by Matewan Chief of National Historic Register in 1997, and of the mine wars because they still faced drawn to the Tug River Valley by the tation. Inside, exhibits transport visitors ing, privately hired planes dropped around. And that’s what we’re trying miners from their homes, and guards Police Sid Hatfield and Mayor Cabell visitors can press a button on the exte- potential criminal charges. But it also notorious Hatfield-McCoy feud — there to the turn of the 20th century, a time homemade bombs on the miners. Days to preserve.” set up machine gun embankments. Testerman. Armed miners watched as rior wall near the bullet holes from the has been something that at times the are 12 feud sites nearby, along with an when coal companies exerted a degree later, federal troops arrived to suppress The governor declared martial law, the pro-union Hatfield attempted to infamous shootout and hear an audio state of West Virginia has not wanted to extensive all-terrain vehicle trail net- of control over the lives of workers and Walking through History the uprising. Federal air power arrived confiscating weapons from both sides arrest the detectives. Albert Felts, one recording that features excerpts from publicize, when they were trying to shed work named after the famous families. their families that is nearly unfathom- Visitors are greeted by an exhibit as well, and though the planes never and detaining suspected union sympa- of the Baldwin-Felts detectives, then oral histories collected from local resi- the image of a state that had labor strife School groups come from near able today. on coal camp life at the turn of the 20th attacked, the museum notes that this thizers through military courts. By July attempted to arrest Hatfield. It’s unclear dents. The Matewan Massacre outdoor in trying to attract new investments.” and far — one class this spring came In the early 1900s in West Virginia, century, which features black-and-white was the only time the U.S. government 1913, after more than 50 directly related who fired first, but a gun battle ensued drama has performed for more than a all the way from Wisconsin’s Carroll many towns were wholly owned by the photographs of miners and their fami- planned to bomb its own citizens. The The museum is also involved with deaths, the remaining striking miners that left seven detectives and four town decade — often multiple times a year. University, and board members have coal operators. Miners rented company- lies. Artifacts on display include miners’ commanding general declared a cease- events such as this spring’s May Day accepted a proposal that partially re- residents dead, including Albert and his And a visitor’s center, housed within a presented the story of the Mine Wars owned houses and were paid in scrip, helmets and lanterns, household items fire on Sept. 3, and both state forces and Matinee at the local union hall, which flected workers’ demands. brother Lee Felts and Mayor Testerman. replica of the town’s historic train depot, to youth across southern West Virginia, which could only be exchanged at the and a collection of scrip coins embla- miners began to disband. brought more than 50 attendees to listen At the museum, a replica of one of Hatfield and 22 others were put on also discusses the area’s past. But the in partnership with public schools and company store. Coal bosses also em- zoned with company insignia. At the museum, displays of weap- to old-time music and watch a recent the canvas tents that evicted miner fami- trial for their role in the Battle of Mate- brick-and-mortar museum devoted to the National Parks Service. ployed private, armed mine guards to “Between 1890 and 1912, the mines ons and spent ammunition underscore PBS documentary about the Mine Wars. lies lived in features an audio recording wan, but were ultimately acquitted of the Mine Wars represents a new effort According to Martin, volunteer enforce rules and suppress union activity. of West Virginia had the highest death the violence of this history. Between “Very much as the [coal] industry in the persona of national union activist murder charges. to preserve that history. groups performing service in nearby That environment, compounded rate among the nation’s coal-producing 10,000 to 20,000 miners are estimated to is in decline, so are communities,” says Mother Jones, who had a prominent role Local strikes continued, as did The museum’s board brings togeth- areas often tour the museum and gain with dangers in the mines themselves, states; its mine-accident death rate was have been part of what became known Elijah Hooker, a Logan County na- in the Mine Wars. violence between strikers and company er a diverse group of people, including a deeper understanding of the region’s five times higher than that as the Red Neck Army — so named for tive and museum board member who Images of local and national union agents. The following summer, Hatfield a local UMWA leader, a Matewan town past and resilience. Many visitors also of any European country,” the red bandanas worn by union miners served as the program fellow in 2015. leaders share wall space with photo- and his deputy, Ed Chambers, were councilwoman, a retired local teacher, come from the surrounding area or have reads a quote from histo- during the Mine Wars. “I think one of the things that this mu- graphs of the Baldwin-Felts detectives. charged with shooting at a coal facility. a facilitator, a journalist, historians and family ties to the mine wars. rian David Alan Corbin. After the fighting, 528 people were seum’s got going for it, particularly with “One of the things that we aim to do is to As the two men and their wives ascended the great-grandson of union leader “It’s imperative to teach the genera- During that time, the charged with crimes including treason the events that we hold, is attempting tell this history from multiple points of the courthouse steps for the trial on Aug. Frank Keeney. tions to come about where they came UMWA grew in other and murder against the State of West to reestablish that sense of community.” view and to include multiple voices, and 1., 1921, Hatfield and Chambers were Many of the objects and photographs from locally and how strong that their states, but the union’s Virginia. Many were acquitted, but Roughly 2,000 visitors arrived part of that has been the side of manage- fatally shot by Baldwin-Felts agents. on display come from local collectors, in people are,” says McCoy. v progress was slower in some were found guilty. The legal costs during the museum’s first season, and ment,” says Dr. Lou Martin, a museum Miners across the southern coal- particular the museum’s Board President the company-controlled and negative publicity took a toll, and board member and a historian and de- fields were outraged. Text on the mu- Kenny King, who lives near the historic Plan Your Visit towns of southern West state UMWA membership declined partment chair at Chatham University. seum wall explains that a week after the Blair Mountain site. Efforts to preserve When: Museum is open Saturdays and Upcoming events include the Aug. 6 Virginia. In 1912 and 1913, dramatically during the remainder of shooting, 5,000 miners assembled in the the battlefield and prevent surface min- Sundays until October, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. unveiling of a miners’ memorial exhibit more than 12,000 union Tensions Unleashed the 1920s. As the museum notes, how- state capital of Charleston. “You have ing on Blair Mountain have also pitted Where: 336 Mate St., Matewan, WV featuring guest speakers, and a Sept. and non-union workers After World War I, efforts to union- ever, miners ultimately received the Website: wvminewars.com, see website 10 event where area speakers will share The term “redneck” can be traced back to union miners who no recourse except to fight,” local union citizens groups like the Friends of Blair went on strike at mines ize southern West Virginia were picking rights they sought: “In the 1930s, with for details, special events, places to stay stories from their families’ experiences showed their allegiance by wearing red bandanas. Photo Mountain against the coal industry, and, in Kanawha County. De- and area attractions with the Mine Wars. courtesy of WV Mine Wars Museum up steam, as was the friction between continued on next page Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration,

Page 8 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 June / July 2016 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 9 In other words, despite Sean Dunlap — Story of Success Electric Co-ops an added charge on their bill, The Changing Nature of Rural Electric Continued from previous page Blue Ridge Electric member won $800 worth of insulation and air nearly all customers start to Sean Dunlap lives with his wife and sealing. According to an analysis by pursuing renewable energy and energy see an immediate reduction two children in a 1938 farm house built the consulting firm ResiSpeak, those Cooperatives in the 21st Century efficiency programs for their members. in their electricity costs as a by his wife’s great-grandfather. Two improvements saved the Dunlap’s A handful of these co-ops are even go- result of the efficiency im- years ago, the family was struggling nearly 10 percent on their energy bills with high heating bills and staying in 2015. “We are so thankful for all of By Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices spirit of cooperation lies at the core of ing beyond energy and playing a more provements. Once the utility warm in the winter. “It was frustrating the work that was done on our house. Energy Policy Director the co-op mission. comprehensive role in economic devel- has been reimbursed, 100 per- and expensive,” said Dunlap. “Having We immediately began noticing an im- When people think of their electric Electric Co-ops and opment for their communities. cent of the savings are kept by an infant in a house that gets really, re- provement in the comfort of our home utility, they don’t usually think about America’s Energy Future A Holistic Approach the customer. ally cold in the wintertime is stressful.” and saved quite a bit on our heating Under this model, eligi- In late 2014, the Dunlap fam- costs last winter,” said Dunlap. how it operates, or whether it invests in Rural electric co-ops are not-for- Marshall Cherry, a native of Bertie bility for financing is deter- ily applied for Appalachian Voices’ A High Country Energy Solutions employee clean energy or could help reduce their profit electric utilities owned by their County, N.C., has worked with Roanoke Home Energy Makeover Contest and mined by a customer’s bill weatherizes Sean Dunlap’s home. energy costs. But this is changing as customers, who are considered co-op Electric Cooperative for 23 years and payment history, not a credit people struggle to pay their electric bill members. Each member owns an equal currently serves as the chief operating a member of Powell Valley Electric helps families pay their energy bills, it check, and the repayment is attached and as residents grow more concerned vote in electing the Board of Directors officer. “If I’m out in the community Cooperative, shared her experience doesn’t address the underlying prob- to the property and not the individual. about their health, the environment and — the primary decision-making body of and people know me, and know that I with applying for LIHEAP funding. lems of poverty and energy waste in This allows all residents with good their local economies. the co-op — and therefore have a strong Larry and Deborah Freeman (left) are Roanoke work for the co-op, somewhere along “For years, to get assistance with our homes. The only other source of fund- After more than a century of pri- Electric members who benefited from the Upgrade to utility bill payment history, including electric bills we sat out [by the weath- ing available, the federal Weatheriza- voice in how their utility is operated. $ave program. Photo courtesy of Roanoke Electric the line the conversation does come up marily generating and selling electric- residents of low-income and rental The nation’s first rural electric co-op Cooperative. John Kidda, owner of reNew Home Inc about electric bills,” he says. erization assistance agency’s building] tion Assistance Program, provides just properties to access financing they ity, many utilities are exploring new was established in Tacoma, Washington (above), performs an energy audit as part of Appalachian According to Cherry, nearly 7 per- all night,” she recalled. “You had to get enough funding to weatherize about pollution. Rural co-op areas also have Voices’ home energy makeover contest in 2015. couldn’t obtain elsewhere. business models that better respond in 1914. Over the next two decades, cent of the average household income there the night before because they only 800 homes a year in Tennessee — a drop a higher concentration of older, drafty The results expected by Roanoke to customer needs and the changing only eight more electric co-ops were in Roanoke Electric’s service area is had enough [funding] for so many ap- in the bucket compared to what the U.S. homes, meaning that more energy is Electric are impressive. The first group electricity market. Rural electric coop- developed, and by the mid-1930s only “We don’t like to change.” DePriest was spent on energy costs. This is roughly plications. I would sit there and I would Census Bureau identifies as more than wasted per customer than is for custom- of retrofitted homes are projected to eratives, which account for 10 percent of 10 percent of rural homes had electricity, speaking at a meeting with representa- three times the national average, in an doze off and when I woke I had snow 700,000 homes in poverty and 1.2 mil- ers of other electric utilities. save nearly $600 a year on their electric all electricity sales in the United States, according to the National Rural Electric tives from approximately 155 municipal area where many members fall below on my blanket.” lion homes that are over 35 years old in Reducing that waste through in- bills, even after factoring in the new are leading the pack in changing how Cooperative Association. utilities and rural electric cooperatives the poverty line. “So when a member “The line would go all the way out the state. Even though most Tennessee creasing energy efficiency and develop- charge for the upgrades. To fund the they do business. Recognizing the need to extend in 2013, arguing that the utilities should has an electric bill of $1,000 [for a single around the food stamp office and back co-ops and municipal utilities offer ing more renewable energy would have program, the co-op received a $6 million “Co-ops are looking at the best way power into rural areas, the federal be doing more for their members and month], that is close to or above 40 down the highway.” she said. energy efficiency loan programs, many substantial environmental benefits, federal loan guarantee to help finance to serve their consumers and provide government encouraged the growth communities. His point was that by of- percent of their income in many situ- And while the LIHEAP program eliminating millions of tons of carbon energy improvements on as many as continued on next page them with a variety of services,” said of electric co-ops through a series of fering programs that improve the lives ations,” Cherry says. To address this emissions each year and cutting down 1,000 homes over four years. Nelle Hotchkiss of the North Carolina initiatives launched in the 1930s. These of their customers, the utilities would problem, the co-op launched Upgrade on other air and water pollution. But it The co-op also saves money by not Building Better Sponsored by Electric Membership Corp. “It’s not just programs expanded access to the fi- discover a new way of doing business. to $ave, an on-bill energy efficiency about providing electrons anymore.” would also have a profound impact on The U.S. electricity market is evolv- having to purchase as much power nancial resources needed to electrify families and local economies. finance program, in June 2015. The Clean Energy SunnyHomesD Inc.ay during peak hours when electricity is That mindset is the driving force be- rural communities, and residents came ing from the traditional system of With on-bill financing, the electric The average poverty rate in co-op most expensive. “There is a business Future Starts At Home hind new energy efficiency and renew- together and formed their own rural large, centralized power plants to a utility pays for a contractor to make service areas, particularly in Appala- case for us because we’re more than able energy programs being developed electric co-ops, building the electrical more efficient, distributed, customer- improvements, such as weatherization To minimize the disruption from cli- that can do a site assessment and design chia and the Southeast, is often higher able to recapture the costs and losses mate change, our society needs to transi- and install a system for you. Financing is by electric co-ops across the country. lines and constructing the power plants owned model at a pace much quicker or more efficient heating and cooling than the national average. With costs through the financial benefits we re- tion from a reliance on fossil fuels to clean not as straightforward — tax credits and Many of the most prominent examples themselves in some cases. than utilities are comfortable with. systems, to a customer’s home. The for electricity higher in rural areas, ceive,” says Cherry. energy — and quickly. On both a macro leasing and purchasing rules vary by state, have been developed in Appalachia Today, there are more than 900 elec- Following decades of rising electricity resident then repays the utility through co-op members ultimately spend a Roanoke Electric is becoming more scale and at home, the task is straight- but often nonprofit organizations can help and the Southeast. However, co-ops tric co-ops serving 42 million people in demand, sales are now shrinking due a new charge on their bill which is forward: Reduce energy consumption by homeowners navigate these options. disproportionate amount of their in- service-oriented for their members, of- will have to work closely with the com- 47 states. Most co-ops still obtain most to energy efficiency, conservation and more than offset by the amount they increasing efficiency and our production Renewable energy is now as cheap as come on their energy bills. This poses a fering new opportunities like a commu- munities they serve if these programs of their electricity from large coal, gas consumer-owned renewable energy. save on their energy bill from the im- of clean, renewable energy. dirty energy for consumers in many states significantburden on low-to-moderate nity solar program, high-speed internet You can make this transition at home that have “power purchase agreements.” are to reach the scale required to have and nuclear power plants, which ac- But this means that electric utility rev- provements. With Upgrade to $ave, income residents, exacerbating poverty and a workforce training program for by following a three-step process for These agreements allow a solar company a significant impact on local economies counts for a lot of the country’s carbon enues are also declining. the customer keeps at least 25 percent and diverting money away from local energy efficiency contractors, among building or retrofitting an energy-efficient to install panels on a consumer’s roof, and the environment. Fortunately, that emissions and other energy-related In response, many rural electric of the savings. The remainder goes to economies. other programs. house. As we’ve described in past Sunny and the consumer buys electricity directly co-ops are exploring new business Roanoke Electric to repay the cost of Day Homes columns, step one is to create from the installer. Unfortunately in North All this means that there is an op- “We’re now able to offer a package models that meet the needs of their the improvements. a tight barrier that eliminates or reduces air Carolina, where Duke Energy has a state- portunity for co-ops to rethink how members while still generating the of services that holistically improves leakage and heat loss. Step two is to install sanctioned monopoly, consumers cannot they provide power to rural areas and revenues they need to operate. “Co- Federal Financing the quality of life for our members,” high-efficiency equipment for heating and enter into one of these agreements. manage energy demand. Yet not many concludes Cherry. cooling, and to replace inefficient appli- At their most recent shareholder ops by their very nature, because they In early 2014 the U.S. Department of ances with Energy Star-rated appliances. meeting, Duke Energy’s CEO Lynn Good co-ops have addressed these issues — Agriculture launched the Energy Efficiency 2016 WORKSHOP SERIES are locally governed and responsive A New Model in Tennessee Step three is to produce some or all of your defended the company’s plan to go 4 per- until recently. and Conservation Loan Program. So far, the to their members, have the flexibility energy with renewable systems such as cent solar over the next 15 years. Clearly, June 10-11 Photovoltaic System Fundamentals program has announced more than $60 million Thousands of U.S. residents struggle The Changing Electricity Market to be responsive [to new challenges],” photovoltaic solar panels, solar thermal, we have a long way to go to develop mo- in new loan guarantees to electric coopera- to pay their electric bills each year, espe- August 5 REScheck for Compliance with the NC micro-hydro and wind. mentum towards a clean energy transition. “Would you believe that the people Hotchkiss explains. “There is an evolu- tives and other utilities to implement on-bill cially in the winter months when heating Residential Energy Code At the residential level, solar panels Everyone who owns a home can start now in this room, the people in the electri- tion going on and we’re not immune to energy efficiency finance and community solar costs skyrocket. Many residents have to are often the simplest, most cost-effective by reducing how much dirty energy they August 12 Affordable Zero Energy Ready Homes that, nor should we be. Embracing new programs to benefit rural areas. cal industry, are a stubborn group of apply for federal funds through the Low- approach to producing clean, renewable use and increasing the amount of clean opportunities is important.” Another new federal program will allow August 26 Solar Thermal Water Heating people?” asked Harold DePriest, CEO Income Home Energy Assistance Pro- energy. It is fairly easy to find a company energy their home generates. Many rural electric co-ops in Ap- USDA to provide zero-interest loans to rural of the Electric Power Board of Chat- electric utilities for the utilities to offer on-bill gram to keep the electricity on. LIHEAP For details, registration, & more workshops: tanooga and former Chair of the Ten- palachia and across the Southeast are About Sunny Day Homes: Sunny Day homes is a small, family-owned general contracting firm financing to their customers. The Rural Energy funding is limited, however, so residents that has been incorporated since 1997. They built the first certified green home in North Carolina’s High energy.appstate.edu [email protected], 828-262-8913 nessee Valley Public Power Authority. continued on next page Savings Program is expected to be available are often competing for assistance. Country in 2008 and have been advocating for non-toxic, environmentally responsible and energy-efficient summer 2016. Page 10 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 One resident from Tazewell, Tenn., building ever since. Call/text (828) 964-3419 or visit sunnydayhomesinc.com A number of factors are Electric Co-ops working together to limit the Continued from previous page amount of solar that co-ops Hiking the Highlands residents aren’t eligible because they can develop. As demand for don’t own their home or fail to meet the solar from co-op members credit requirements. grows and the price contin- Pink Beds Loop Wandering through Pisgah Forest But thanks to the leadership of a ues to fall, co-ops that want By Elizabeth E. Payne one turn, the thick understory of to meet that demand and handful of co-ops, a new opportunity tangled mountain laurel and rhodo- keep up with the changing On Friday the 13th, I set out to Tran- is launching this year that will be avail- dendron gives way to a forest awash able for residents of all income levels, market will need to develop sylvania County, N.C., to spend the day in a sea of fern. Around another turn, as well as renters. new solutions. exploring Pisgah National Forest with dogwoods, doghobble, trillium or “We see members every month my brother. The Pink Beds Loop was “The Utility of Today” squawroot will be the treasure that who do not qualify for current energy rumored to have mountain bogs and In 2013, Blue Ridge Elec- catches your eye. I even spotted a efficiency programs due to their credit plentiful wildflowers, and the hike did tric Membership Corp. was Amy Kelly of Appalachian Voices, speaks with a volunteer at a hunger ministry about the burden of high energy costs in Tazewell, lone gathering of Pink Lady’s Slip- score, yet they are good electric bill Tenn. (left). Mary Ruble (at right), a Blue Ridge Electric member, discusses efficiency with stakeholders at a community meeting. not disappoint. one of the first co-ops Appa- pers. payers,” says Greg Williams, general The Pink Beds Valley was named lachian Voices reached out to The marked trailhead is manager of Appalachian Electric Co- bership Corp. launched an on-bill “As part of our changing business by early settlers for the overwhelming when advocating for on-bill financing. at the far side of the Pink Beds operative. “We also see every winter financing program in 2013 and has fi- model, we have to find ways to fund number of rhododendron and moun- Pink Beds Loop Blue Ridge Electric is one of the largest parking lot. Follow the short members who simply struggle to pay nanced nearly $1 million in new energy clean energy projects through other tain laurel blossoms that blanketed the electric co-ops serving Appalachia. Fol- path across the first small Difficulty: Easy to moderate high bills. Helping our members to efficient heat pumps for its members. revenue sources,” says Jacob. When area. According to the U.S. Forest Ser- lowing a number of meetings with co- stream to reach the loop. Details: 5-plus mile loop; muddy in wet improve their quality of life is founda- French Broad’s Director of Member asked whether Blue Ridge Electric was vice website, “the name is more historic op executives, it became clear that there The trail crosses the South weather. tional to who we are and that includes Services Sam Hutchins got the idea for becoming a “utility of the future,” he than descriptive,” since reforesting has was only one way they would consider Mills River and its tributaries Directions: From Brevard, N.C., take US helping them lower their electric bill.” the program from his own experience responded, “It’s no longer ‘of the fu- changed the balance of the forest and creating such a program. numerous times, and footbridges 64 East. Turn left onto US 276 North for 11 A new statewide on-bill finance with high energy bills. “Several years ture,’ but rather ‘utility of today.’ It’s these blooms — while present — no miles. Past the Forest Discovery Center, the “They kept telling us they needed and rock-hop crossings make program — expected to be launched ago, I received a $500 December power happening now.” longer dominate the valley. Pink Beds Picnic Area is on the right. Enter to hear from the members,” Ashe navigating the waterways easy. this fall — is a direct result of the ef- bill for my double wide [manufactured This area of Pisgah is part of the trail at far right of parking area. Newly constructed elevated boardwalks winds through County, N.C., resident Mary Ruble said Cooperation is the key Upon reaching the loop, the bog area, which beaver dams have expanded in forts of Appalachian Voices, which is home] that had an old electric furnace,” Cradle of Forestry, where the nation’s More info: Contact Pisgah Ranger District at in an interview with the national non- Despite the progress made by Ap- either direction will result in size. The flame azalea is just one of the many beautiful the publisher of this newspaper, and he says. “I knew I could not afford to first school of forestry was founded in 828-877-3265 or visit tinyurl.com/PinkBeds profit WeOwnIt. “So we got over 1,000 palachian co-ops, the programs are still an enjoyable hike. We chose native plants you’ll encounter on this hike. Photos by of Appalachian Electric Cooperative’s continue heating that way. Through in- the late 1800s. The Forest Discovery Andrew G. Payne signatures from co-op members on a relatively new and have yet to make to go left and walked the loop commitment to finding new energy ternet research I found [high efficiency] Center is just down the road from Pink an elevated boardwalk through a petition,” she said. “We got publicity. a significant dent in reducing energy clockwise. ened swamp pink flower and the car- solutions for its members. The con- heat pumps. If that was the answer for Beds, and its interactive exhibits bring grove of cinnamon ferns, which We went to the annual meeting. We waste and driving local economic de- The oval is bisected by another trail, nivorous purple mountain pitcher plant. versation began three years ago, and me, I knew it could help others.” this history to life. were just emerging as fiddleheads on made sure they heard from members.” velopment. Less than one-third of the Beaver dams have greatly expand- generated additional interest from the These two programs are having an The Pink Beds Loop is a nearly flat, Barnett Branch, which you will first the day we visited. This path is well Partnering with Appalachian Voic- co-ops serving central Appalachian ed the area submerged by water in the Tennessee Electric Cooperative As- immediate economic impact, not only oval-shaped trail measuring at least five cross after about 1.5 miles. Turning onto worth a detour. es, Ruble and other community stake- communities have developed or com- bog, requiring one section of the trail to sociation as well as support from the through saving co-op members money, miles. The wide path and orange blaze Barnett Branch will cut across the center As the Pink Beds Loop enters its fi- holders expressed their support for an mitted to on-bill finance programs. Even be shifted to higher ground and another state Department of Environment and but by hiring local contractors to make are easy to follow, although roots and of the oval and make for a shorter hike. nal mile, we encountered one of the rar- on-bill finance program, and in April of where the programs exist, achieving the to be crossed by nearly a quarter mile Conservation, the program is expected the improvements and install the heat- ruts require some attention for footing. But to stay on Pink Beds Loop, follow est of all Appalachian ecosystems —the this year Blue Ridge Electric launched level of investment and participation of elevated boardwalk. to launch this fall. ing systems. What makes this hike spectacular the orange blaze straight. swampy oasis known as the Southern the Energy SAVER Loan Program. that is possible in the region is proving A few more stream crossings will While only Appalachian Electric “On-bill financing for energy ef- is that with each twist of the path, the At the midpoint of the loop, a side Appalachian mountain bog. While renters are not eligible to apply, to be a challenge. bring you to the end of the Pink Beds has committed to the program thus far, ficiency improvements represents our landscape changes dramatically. With trail leads to the South Mills River gaug- The day we visited was fairly dry, the program offers affordable loans for Chris Woolery of the Mountain As- Loop. Turn left and go past the picnic as many as 10 of the state’s co-ops are best chance to provide good local jobs ing station, where there is a parking but the area was still teeming with life. member homeowners to pay for energy sociation for Community Economic De- area to return to the parking lot. expected to participate. Williams hopes and reduce our energy consumption,” lot and an alternate trailhead for Pink Sphagnum moss and tall, grass-like efficiency improvements such as insula- velopment coordinates the How$mart The quiet solitude and diverse to see the program expand even further. says Sam Zimmerman, president of Beds Loop. sedge plants abound, nestled beneath tion and new heating systems. Kentucky on-bill finance program, “If we could get every co-op in the state Sunny Day Homes and one of Blue As the path turns back for the pine and maple trees. While I didn’t see wildlife make the Pink Beds Loop a The current pilot program will which launched in 2010 and currently v to adopt this program, that would be Ridge Electric’s program contractors return journey, the ground becomes any, the bog is also home to the threat- nature lover’s dream. finance $100,000 in energy retrofits has six participating co-ops. Yet in amazing and would create an enormous as well as an Appalachian Voices sup- wetter and the river crossings are wider. during the first phase. If the program is six years fewer than 500 homes have impact across the state for energy ef- porter. “Brought to scale this program The path undulates through a carpet of successful, the co-op plans to expand it benefitted. But Woolery has an idea of ficiency,” he says. would demonstrate that what helps fern, before rising out of the valley to after the first year. what’s needed to expand that impact. Responding to growing member the environment sometimes helps the catch glimpses of the mountains in the “We’re making life better for our “We want to see energy efficiency as interest in solar energy, Appalachian economy even more.” distance. And everywhere, bird songs members by offering a way for them an economic driver in the region,” he Electric is also developing a community Due to rising demand from their provide the soundtrack of the forest. to be able to afford a more comfortable says. “That requires bringing the com- solar program that allows members to members, Blue Ridge Electric is also in After another mile, you’ll again and efficient home,” says Blue Ridge munity together and creating advocates lease solar panels and earn a credit on the process of developing a community cross the Barnett Branch path. Follow Electric’s Energy Efficiency Marketing for this kind of program one household their electric bill for the power gener- solar project that will generate enough the orange blaze to remain on Pink Manager Jon Jacob. “Even those who at a time.” v ated by the panels. In total, the project electricity at the start to power about Beds. (If taking the loop counterclock- don’t participate benefit because energy will cover the energy needs of more 50 homes. The co-op is also exploring Appalachian Voices’ Energy Savings for wise, the sign marking the Pink Beds efficiency is integral to helping us keep than 100 homes. While this is a sig- services like integrating battery stor- Appalachia campaign is promoting on-bill Loop may be difficult to spot). free wireless internet our rates from going up.” Locally roasted Fair Trade nificant achievement, it represents less age into their grid, providing a rooftop energy efficiency financing through rural From here, Barnett Branch and The program isn’t the first of its electric cooperatives serving western North frappes & fruit smoothies than a half percent of the co-op’s total solar option and selling home energy As you begin the loop clockwise, the path Pink Beds briefly follow the same path, kind to be developed in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. To learn more homemade pastries & desserts Coffee & Espresso membership. management technologies. passes through tunnels of mountain laurel and before Barnett Branch turns off across Carolina. French Broad Electric Mem- visit: AppalachianVoices.org/EnergySavings rhododendron. Photo by Andrew G. Payne 221 w. state street black mountain, nc 828.669.0999 www.dripolator.com

Page 12 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 June / July 2016 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 13 Endangered Species and Habitats of Appalachia

Virginia big-eared bats are found in Wildlife rehabilitation in Appalachia By Elizabeth E. Payne ecosystems, such as the southern Ap- “threatened.” The law also required isolated colonies in limestone caves across central and southern Appalachia. Central and southern Appalachia palachian mountain bog and the high federal agencies to conserve endan- This bat is endangered largely because are renowned for their rich biologi- elevation red spruce forest. gered species while prohibiting the By Lorelei Goff manity’s rapid encroachment on wild mother’s milk,” says Jennifer Crabill, of loss of habitat and human disturbance. “There are species adapted exclu- agencies from damaging the habitats cal diversity. The temperate forests A snapping turtle lays in the places is taking a heavy toll. director of the Kentucky Wildlife Photo by Larisa Bishop-Boros sively to our cooler, higher summits, on which those species depend. are home to thousands of species of road, unborn eggs shielded inside “Ninety percent of the animals Center in Lexington. “One 20-pound After their nest was destroyed, Carlton Burke built these while others spend their entire lives States also have an active role baby barn owls a makeshift home out of a plastic garbage plants and animals, many of which her shattered body. A possum gives come in because of human involve- tub of raccoon milk replacer runs on isolated rock faces deep within in conserving the wildlife within roughly $200. We go through that in can. The parent birds soon returned to care for their owlets. are found nowhere else on earth. birth inside a suburban attic. A starv- ment,” says Jessie Cole, a wildlife river gorges,” Walter Smith, assistant their borders, and the act outlines a about a week.” Photo by Carlton S. Burke, Carolina Mountain Naturalists But according to Tierra Curry, ing snowy owl wanders far outside rehabilitator at Rockfish Wildlife professor of biology at the University framework for this collaboration and a senior scientist for the Center for its natural range and develops a Sanctuary in Nelson County, Va. Finding volunteers is another of Virginia’s College at Wise, wrote established sources of federal fund- Biological Diversity, Appalachia is crippling illness. A mother mallard “Humans are leaving an imprint obstacle.“It’s very different from in an email. ing that continue to help offset the a “unique place where one of the hatches her ducklings outside a on the earth and, unfortunately, volunteering at a humane society According to Smith, the spruce-fir costs of state initiatives. highest biodiversity levels in the grocery store and tries to lead them animals sometimes have to pay the where you’re walking dogs and forest is a particularly fragile environ- world overlaps geographically with To list or not to list across a busy highway. consequences for that.” playing with cats and it’s very fun,” some of the most destructive land use ment, susceptible to effects of climate Animals that become accustomed Crabill warns. “Volunteering with The Endangered Species Act can Though each of these stories practices in the world.” change. As temperatures rise, these to feeding on human food or trash are a rehabilitation center is very hard be used to protect — or not protect — ended happily, thanks to wildlife Part of what makes the Appala- cold-loving forests retreat farther up often injured or sickened and they can work. You get dirty. They’re wild very specific classifications of plants rehabilitators across the region, hu- chian region so special are its varied the mountain sides and eventually never be re-wilded. animals so they’re unpredictable and animals, such as subspecies of will reach the tops of the mountains Dana Dodd, president of and there’s a chance that you’re go- Humans can minimize the negative im- flying squirrels. and run out of habitat. the Appalachian Bear Rescue ing to get scratched or bit.” pact we have on our wild neighbors. Make The Carolina northern flying These forests are home to the en- in Townsend, Tenn., says, According to Crabill, relying on food sources — like pet food, birdseed and squirrel is federally recognized as dangered spruce-fir moss spider. Ac- “Last summer, [Tennessee volunteers can create its own issues. trash — inaccessible and keep barbecue cording to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife endangered and is a rare subspecies grills clean. According to the Smithsonian their skin and are particularly sen- Wildlife Resources Agency] “Sometimes they decide that they Think twice before throwing food Service, this tiny arachnid measures of flying squirrel found only at high Conservation Biology Institute in sitive to water quality, changes in had to put down a mother bear have something else that they would scraps along roadsides where animals and elevations in western North Carolina, Washington, D.C., more species temperature and moisture levels. only 0.1 inches across and its habitat and four cubs because they rather do and we end up being short birds can be injured or killed by traffic. Don’t In February, the U.S. Forest Southwest Virginia and East Tennes- of salamanders live in the varied is “restricted to small areas of suitable had made their living eating staffed,” she says. place sticky traps where hungry birds can altitudes and freshwater ecosys- Service rejected a 10-mile seg- moss mats on a few scattered rock see. This nocturnal mammal reaches get caught in them, and hang something tems of Appalachia than anywhere ment of the proposed Atlantic trash in Gatlinburg. It’s not the Carlton Burke, a home-based outcrops and boulders beneath fir up to 12 inches in length and glides, in large picture windows so birds know else on earth. Coast Pipeline — which would car- wildlife officers who kill those wildlife rehabilitator and freelance rather than flies, on flaps of skin that they’re there. Open containers of liquid are However, populations of am- ry natural gas from West Virginia to trees in the spruce-fir forests.” animals. It’s the people who naturalist, says tough decisions and extend from its outstretched arms. also dangerous and can drown chipmunks, phibians — including many sala- Virginia and North Carolina — in Such vulnerable creatures are cause the situation.” a heavy workload also take a toll. bats and other small animals. It is primarily threatened by loss of manders — are declining rapidly, order to protect critical habitats protected by the Endangered Species “Sometimes you have an animal so though the specific causes of this along its route. The habitats of the habitat, introduction of foreign pests Act, which the U.S. Congress passed Walking on the Wild severely injured that the animal has decline are unknown. Factors rare, spotted Cow Knob salaman- into law in 1973. Its main purpose and expansion of residential and rec- such as climate change may der and the brassy-flecked, threat- Side to be euthanized,” he says. “Possibly was to provide protection for species reational spaces. play a role in the loss of lungless ened Cheat Mountain salamander Rehabilitators face daunt- 50 percent or more might not be able at risk of becoming extinct and to But another subspecies — the salamanders that breathe through would have been destroyed. ing challenges, including the continued on page 17 protect the ecosystems in which they West Virginia northern flying squir- cost. They operate without live. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rel — lost its protected status in 2008 state or federal funding, re- is charged with implementing the act continued on page 16 lying on donations to cover for land-based and freshwater species. expensive veterinary care, The act expanded previous protec- Baby animals must be hand-fed multiple times antibiotics, fluid therapy, milk tions provided to endangered species each day. Here, Barbara Slusar cares for a replacer and other supplies. and allowed plants and invertebrates very young squirrel. Photo courtesy of Rockfish “Each species has to have to be classified as “endangered” or Wildlife Sanctuary its own species-specific milk re- placer that’s been manufactured in the lab to closely resemble the

The tiny bog turtle lives in marshes Along with amphibian species worldwide, Appalachia’s diverse salamander and bogs across the eastern United populations are declining. At-risk species include the Cow Knob Salamander (left, States. Both the northern and In periods of heavy rains, young waterfowl — such as photo by Steven David Johnson, stevedavidjohnson.com) and the Cheat Mountain southern populations are threatened this Canada Goose gosling — can be separated from their These red fox kits will remain at the rehabilitation center Salamander (right, photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) with extinction. Photo courtesy of family. Photo courtesy of Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary until they are five to six months old and can be released into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the wild. Photo courtesy of Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary This young raccoon (left) has a condition water is the common thread that ties Critters at Risk Born to be Wild called leucism that affects its coloring. Animal Continued from page 14 everything together.” Continued from page 15 rehabilitators care for a diverse range of animals, One creature that depends on including these three infant squirrels (right). to ever go back out to the wild. That’s after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service these streams is the diamond darter. Photos courtesy of Kentucky Wildlife Center, Inc. just the reality of wildlife rehabilitation. determined that there was no longer This translucent silver fish buries The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “A lot of wildlife rehabilitators get by the incredibly loud hissing of the a risk of extinction. This decision was itself in sandy river bottoms to avoid extended protection for two Appalachian burned out,” Burke continues. “It’s very terrified babies, and was saddened challenged in court by Friends of predators and is recognized by the crayfish in April. The Big Sandy crayfish frustrating because of all the calls you get to realize that a couple more of them Blackwater, a nonprofit conservation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as one is now recognized as threatened and the and you just can’t take care of them all. would have to be euthanized because organization, and a U.S. District Court of the most endangered species of fish Guyandotte River crayfish as endangered. We need more rehabilitators and facilities of their injuries. overturned the initial ruling. This flying in the Southeast. This member of the According to a statement from the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the to spread the work around a little better.” “I was determined to try to save the squirrel was then returned to the endan- perch family reaches no more than five biggest threats to both species is mountain- remaining two and get them back to the gered species list in 2011. The USFWS inches in length and is most active at top removal coal mining because of the pol- When Love Hurts parents if at all possible,” says Burke. appealed this decision and an appellate dawn and dusk. lution and sediment that fill affected streams Another frustration for rehabilita- Instead of taking them into captiv- court ruled in its favor, and in 2013 this Poor water quality and sedimenta- and rivers. The Big Sandy crayfish lives in tors is that many calls they receive are ity, hand-raising them and then trying to subspecies was again removed from the eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and tion, as well as the fragmentation of its rehabilitator cherishes a successful southern West Virginia. The Guyandotte for orphaned birds and animals that York City, [and] dropping them off,” teach them to hunt and release them back endangered species list. habitat due to the construction of dams, River crayfish’s habitat has shrunk to a are mistakenly kidnapped by well- says Cabrill. release, their favorite success stories into the wild, Burke devised a makeshift Central to this case were compet- has severely reduced this darter’s num- single river basin in southern West Virginia. intentioned humans. An animal is considered unreleas- are the ones that keep the animals in nest out of a large plastic trash can, put ing methodologies for estimating the bers. Once found in Kentucky, Ohio, Citizen groups hope to redirect the “This is very common with rabbits able once it bonds with humans and the wild in the first place. it back in the same tree and placed the size and health of the flying squirrel Tennessee and West Virginia, the only route of the proposed Mountain Valley and deer,” says Crabill. “In the wild, depends on them for food. Jesse Cole of On a hot, June day in 2015, Carlton fuzzy, hissing owlets inside. The parents population. But each species consid- surviving diamond darter population Pipeline to protect three other species of The Big Sandy crayfish is one of two mother rabbits and mother deer have a Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary tells a story Burke received a call about baby barn came back and took care of them even ered for protected status will bring its is now restricted to the Elk River of rare crayfish. The USFWS is considering one species, the Elk River crayfish, for Appalachian crayfish now protected very strong scent that attracts predators. of a raccoon named Bob that was kept owls. A tree-trimming company had though it wasn’t the original nest. own specific circumstances that will West Virginia. And the watershed of endangered status. Scientists have just under the Endangered Species Act. The babies have no scent whatsoever. as a pet for 10 years. Often, such an un- been hired to cut back an old silver Burke observed the baby owls’ need to be debated. the Elk River is affected by such harm- Photo by Guenter Schuster recently discovered the other two species. The mother only comes back to feed releasable animal would be euthanized, maple at the Pines Country Inn near progress with trail cameras. Several ful practices as mountaintop removal Water is the source of life the babies and stays away the rest of but Bob was lucky. The sanctuary had a Brevard, N.C. A nest containing the weeks later the two fledged and flew coal mining, natural gas drilling and babies was thrown from a large, hollow The streams of Appalachia are the time so as not to attract a predator.” space for an educational animal available. off to take their places in the wild. timbering, all of which impact water ing hard to expand federal protection man communities,” says Curry. “It’s limb as it crashed to the ground. Two particularly stressed, both Curry and According to Crabill, trying to raise “When Bob arrived, he was about “It’s pretty gratifying to know that quality and thus further threaten the to as many endangered and threatened really frustrating to me, as a native owlets were crushed under the limb Smith note. “These habitats are really an orphaned bird or animal, which is three times the size of a normal raccoon. you stepped in and did something, and diamond darter. species as possible. While the group Appalachian, that we can’t petition and the rest were rushed to a veteri- being hit from all angles in terms of illegal in most states without the proper He was fed a diet of chicken McNug- what you thought would work, actu- Mountain streams are also home continues to petition the U.S. Fish and directly to protect the people who narian’s office. Burke arrived, greeted v threats to biodiversity,” Smith wrote in permits for rehabilitation or education, is gets and marshmallows, just candy and ally did work,” he says. to numerous species of endangered Wildlife Service to have new species are threatened by the same factors. an email. “This includes impairments a bad idea. Each species must maintain a junk food,” says Cole. “So he came to freshwater mussels, such as the Ap- considered for protection, a 2011 settle- ... Protection for the species’ habitat in water quality from sedimentation, specific body temperature and requires us extremely obese. His hair was falling palachian Monkeyface. Now found ment with the agency is also ensuring is also going to directly benefit the chemical pollution and septic waste, special milk and foods. If fed improperly out because of his improper diet. He only in sections of the Powell and that decisions are being made about people who live there.” as well as impacts from the historical or with the wrong kind of nipple, the was depressed.” Clinch rivers of Virginia and Tennessee, the status of species that have been on Efforts to preserve the wild crea- Find Your Way babies can develop pneumonia or even Bob is slowly beginning to make ® damming of many rivers across the this filter-feeding mollusk is losing its the agency’s candidate list, sometimes tures and places of Appalachia help drown. Sometimes rescued animals need progress after two months at the sanc- Appalachian region.” habitat from the construction of dams for many years. preserve what makes the region so intravenous fluids and antibiotics. tuary, but Cole doesn’t know if Bob to Flavor! These streams are home to thou- and is being poisoned by sediments According to Curry, a scientist special. sands of species whose habitats are now Even if an orphan survives, making will ever be able to bond with another and toxins in the water. with the organization, there’s a cor- “These organisms and habitats fragmented, shrinking and polluted. a pet out of wildlife and later abandon- raccoon, even in captivity. relation between helping endangered rank right up there with our region’s Set sail on a journey around “Water is the source of all life,” Preserving Appalachian ing it when it becomes too difficult to species and helping the human popula- culture, music, and human heritage,” If You Love Somebody, Set the world to explore new says Curry. “All of the animals either Habitats and Humans handle is essentially giving that animal and exotic flavors. Asia tions around them. wrote Walter Smith. “It’s equally a death sentence. Them Free spiceandtea.com live in the water, near the water or they Groups such as the Center for “The things that threaten the crucial that we preserve our natural “It would be like taking an 8- or Rehabilitators do what they do so drink the water. And the water quality Biological Diversity, a nonprofit organi- v endangered species also threaten heritage alongside our way of life.” 10-year-old child out of their home, animals can remain free and fill their also affects the human community. So, zation based in Tucson, Ariz., are work- the health and wellbeing of the hu- driving them to the middle of New place in the web of life. While every Offers a diverse mix of music & informative programming for the heart of Appalachia. France Greece Music from the Mountains Jamaica North Africa Middle East

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Page 16 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 June / July 2016 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 17 Carolina. He built a cultivation lab mycology devotee, sees mush- from scratch and earns his living Magical Mycology rooms as being a gateway into A Magical Mycology Tapestry teaching workshops about at-home Continued from previous page deeper ecological awareness, cultivation and selling various helping the unlearned explorer farmers and those who are look- Mushrooms Weave a Network of products to help people grow their see the forest as more than just a ing to cultivate a non-timber own mushrooms. He also sells for- “green wall” of plants. He leads forest product. Ecology, Medicine, Food and Farming aged and cultivated mushrooms at groups foraging in the forests in “It’s a very hands-off form By Eliza Laubach a specific species of mycorrhi- local farmers markets. and around Asheville, N.C., and of growing that is very profit zae, and this can suppress tree One of his most sought-after then brings the adventure to local Encountering a mushroom in the heavy,” says Cochran. “People seedlings, thereby giving the offerings is Ganoderma tsugae, restaurants, where experienced forest provides a glimpse to a web that is are really jumping into it.” While rhododendron an advantage to a reishi mushroom native to Ap- chefs craft his finds into delight- largely unseen, underground. The mush- the economic benefits are slow to Foraging for mushrooms can be dangerous since many flourish. The shrubs decrease light palachia that specifically grows ful wild cuisine. The contentment room is a fruiting body that emerges from arrive, as it takes a few seasons for varieties are poisonous. So, be sure to learn from an and develop a pervasive root mat, on the Eastern hemlock tree as it is Muskat feels when he is foraging a network of branching mycelium, a cellu- the fungi to establish a strong my- expert before collecting mushrooms yourself. Photos strong factors that, combined with dying. Throughout Appalachia, an for wild food has inspired his en- lar structure interwoven in soil. This mass celium for full fruiting production, by James M. Davidson human-caused ecological changes, invasive pest, the wooly adelgid, is Honey mushrooms form as parasites on hardwood trees. trepreneurial business, No Taste thrives by connecting to other organisms, many mushroom farmers he has have led to rhododendron thickets attacking the great hemlocks, and Their underground mycelia can be long-lived and immense. structure being necessary for highly Like Home. especially the roots of trees and plants. taught are approaching that mark. Photo courtesy of No Taste Like Home increasing in amount throughout Ganoderma tsugae is abundant. perishable mushrooms. “We want a “Getting into mushrooms was all The Appalachian mountains boast a Cities provide a substantial project that will bring money back into southern Appalachia. An Asian species of reishi has been 2007 and 2008 forced Webb to move his about free food — the treasure hunt,” wide diversity of fungi, the collective term market for edible mushrooms at this impoverished area,” he says. These mountains encom- revered for centuries in China, and production indoors, which also allows says Muskat. “The mythical garden of for mushroom and mycelium. Fungi reach restaurants and farmers markets, but in The West Virginia State University pass microclimates ranging from both species are excellent at reduc- him to cultivate year-round, but he still Eden is very real for me.” their highest diversity in the southern part rural Appalachia, the economy is often Extension office is conducting such a the second-highest amount of ing inflammation and balance the struggles with his farm’s resilience. Muskat works with the state to set of the mountain range, according to the not strong enough to support demand project, now in its second year. Four rainfall in the country to the immune system, says Parker. In The barriers Webb has faced have standards for selling wild foraged mush- Highlander Biological Center, and scien- for higher-priced fungal delicacies. Some eight-foot box trailers modified into least amount of rainfall east of his experience, the hemlock reishi given him a cynical yet practical rooms to restaurants, as the legality of the tists estimate that only 2,300 of as many as farmers try to increase their impact on massive refrigerators will be placed the Mississippi. Given the steep works better for women. outlook on the economic potential practice is currently murky at best. Along 20,000 species have been identified there. an individual scale, says Cochran, like regionally and then travel to local farms elevation changes, various eco- “What a gift that all these mushroom farming holds. “If you’re with mushrooms’ strong economic hook, Often, a mushroom patch represents West Virginia mushroom farmer Susan to pick up fresh produce, and then back systems are found in mountain hemlocks are dying, and they in a poverty level area, people eat on a he is also passionate about working with a single organism. The subterranean net Maslowski, who has a recipe section in to a regional hub for distribution. hollers that host multitudes of provide a gift of female energy to budget,” says Webb. A lack of demand mycelium as part of fostering climate of mycelium can be large and long-lived, her local paper. Also, diversification of both crops fungi and soil types from creek the bioregion,” says Parker. He is at local markets has led him to sell resilience skills, namely food security and “the mushrooms are just ephemeral, Others, like Billy Webb of Sheltowee and enterprise will bring success to to ridge, explains Chris Parker, inspired by fungi’s basic nature: direct to restaurants in Lexington, Ky., and conservation. He teaches youth about passing creatures,” says Dr. John Walker, a Farm in eastern Kentucky, rely on the those who farm mushrooms, says owner of Asheville Fungi, a decomposition, relaying healing Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio. wild foraging and is excited about more mycology professor at Appalachian State consistent market at high-end restau- Webb. “There are many aspects in the company that cultivates, sells Alan Muskat admires a cluster of Laetiporus sulphureus, mango- power of transformation and Webb sees the future of mushroom people looking toward farming mush- University. Walker studies fungi and their rants in cities. Webb started mushroom culture that will have to change: people and educates about all things colored mushrooms also known as chicken of the woods. Muskat rebirth, and embodying change forest farming in Appalachia as being rooms to make income from large tracts ecological relationship to roots. has turned his love of foraging into a small business in Asheville, farming in 2001, and by 2006 had the willing to produce it, a market for it, mycology. by thriving on ecological edges, reliant on regional distribution hubs, of land without deforesting it. Nearly 90 percent of plants form a N.C. Photo courtesy of No Taste Like Home largest natural shiitake log operation in such as a riverbank, a log or the distribution hubs,” says Webb. “It’s not “We think we’re separate, but we’re special relationship to fungi in natural Mushroom medicine the United States. Drastic droughts in with transportation and storage infra- started asking questions. border of a forest. going to happen overnight.” areas. One type of fungi, called mycor- not. We’re just like mushrooms, all con- After years of paying attention, He learned that the Cherokee used Alan Muskat, a wild forager and v rhizae, attach to plant roots, providing Embodying change within nected to Earth,” says Muskat. Parker now recognizes how patterns of mushrooms not just for food, but also Fungus Among Us food and water to the plants and receiv- and without certain plants in an area to easily find medicine. But within what Parker calls a IMPORTANT NOTE: Many edible mushrooms have poisonous look-alikes, and Filtering Water with Fungi ing sugars in return. This symbiosis con- and identify mushrooms in the wild. He The potential that mushrooms have “present fragmented healthcare system,” consuming misidentified mushrooms can lead to illness or death. In the town of Mars Hill, N.C., hydrolo- runoff. This project attempted to use the nects an ecosystem’s extensive root and was trained to see these patterns early he fears many healing ways are being lost. to bring change to Appalachia is a huge gist Tim Ormond helped design a pilot mycelium network to break down and mycelium networks, and it can actually on by Cherokee elders on his father’s Scientific research backs what snip- opportunity, says Brad Cochran, agent at project that used fungi to break down sequester toxins. The results were incon- affect plant ecology in a habitat, such as side. When Parker learned that his great- pets he has uncovered, however, and the West Virginia State University Exten- toxins in stormwater and agricultural runoff. sistent, and Ormand suggests that future a rhododendron thicket. Known as mycoremediation, the project is mycoremediation project designers could grandmother died from a hip injury she reinforces folklore around the peculiar, sion office. Cochran has spent the past five a type of bioremediation, a practice that redesign the system to more holistically A study Walker conducted found sustained while mushroom hunting, he years educating interested farmers and white-fringed lion’s mane mushroom. uses microorganismsCVP small ad spot.pdf or plants 1 5/26/2016 to help 12:08:19 filter PM mimic the way the natural environment that native rhododendrons interact with landowners about mushroom farming. Something as simple as a name can pollutants from municipal and agricultural would use mycelium to filter water. hold great knowledge. For instance, He also conducts research on how to suc- the Eastern Cherokee word for lion’s cessfully weave the practice into the local Photo by Gzirk via Wikimedia Commons Photo by Daniel Neal via Wikimedia Commons Morel: a fine edible mushroom with a coral- Oyster: an edible mushroom that tastes mane mushroom is wahuhi, a general food movement. He experiments with innovative ways to grow mushrooms on like cap. Found in early spring in recently like its maritime namesake, found nearly reference to the owl — a cross-cultural burned areas, on/around dying trees. year-round on hardwood trees. VOTED BEST BBQ totem for wisdom. Lion’s mane mush- logs, such as in high tunnel greenhouses IN THE REGION rooms have been extensively studied and even underground — one project for their positive effects on brain health, is located inside an abandoned under- by Appalachian Voices’ staff of tasters! according to an article published in ground coal mine. 2013 in the Journal of Traditional and “We’re not afraid to think outside OPEN FOR LUNCHCLOSED AND MONDAYS. DINNER. Complementary Medicine. the box and find some potential for local Hwy 321 Bypass Since high school, Parker has de- foods and West Virginia’s economy,” says Blowing Rock,N.C. voted his life to mushrooms. He propa- Cochran. He has taught at least 200 people (828) 295-3651 about small-scale mushroom farming, Photo by Pethan via Dutch Wikipedia Photo by Strobilomyces via Wikimedia Commons gates medicinal and edible mushroom Maiitake: an edible mushroom with Chanterelle: bright orange, small, fan- www.woodlandsbbq.com with special interest from former tobacco mycelium to spread healing through medicinal properties. Found on roots of like edible mushroom with apricot smell, his community in Western North continued on next page dying/dead oaks in late summer to late fall. found in late summer on dying trees. Page 18 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 June / July 2016 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 19 offered keen insight into Miracle of Harvest the organization’s 2012 Continued from previous page The Miracle of Harvest Rooted in Appalachia ini- ate Samantha Eubanks, charging her with tiative to create an online Meadowview Restaurant and Farm the task of transforming the property into listing through which farm- a world-class vegetable farm. ers could sell produce to Focuses on Local Foods and Community “Bringing on Sam allowed me to regional restaurants. focus on the kitchen,” says Newton. Most recently, he and By Eric J. Wallace their day-to-day adventures, Beyond managing the farm and, as Eubanks partnered with the Hopp placed them in a larger Newton and Hopp call it, ‘growing to local 4-H club. “Basically After co-authoring 2007’s wildly context. Using the family’s in the gaps,’ Eubanks took on sourcing du- we taught the kids how to successful New York Times best-seller, - ties and became Harvest Table’s insider grow broccoli using sustain- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle with his wife, dividual struggles as a point of within the local and regional farming able methods,” says Hopp. Barbara Kingsolver, Steven Hopp got an departure, Hopp wrote about Harvest Table’s menu features well-crafted standards like stone-oven pizzas, pasture-raised meats, and community. In this manner, she was able “We provided them with a idea: What if he used his portion of the America’s problematic eating vegetarian and vegan offerings. Nothing is fresher than a bite picked from the Tasting Garden, which is located to avoid growing what other farmers template and instruction and profits to open a farm-to-table restaurant? habits. along the patio in back of the restaurant and is available to patrons. Photos courtesy of 621studios.com Among the socio-environ- were already producing. then committed to helping However, for many, Hopp’s 2008 the pockets of over 300 individuals and thing about sustainable agriculture. mental issues he took on were “A lot of my job is working with our them sell their crop.” decision to found Harvest Table Restau- families. The overall result, he asserts, is “We’re touching tons of people,” the problems of processed suppliers to keep us all on the same page,” The idea was to show kids that rant in the tiny southwest Virginia town a net positive for the community. he says. “Hundreds and hundreds of foods, genetically modified says Eubanks. “I coordinate with Phillip to money can be made growing more than of Meadowview seemed ludicrous. The “We’re having a lot of fun, and we’re healing the earth in the process,” says Steven Hopp, founder of Harvest “When you shop at a big-box store, farmers have altered their perceptions. ingredients, shipping pro- make sure that everyone’s growing their hay and cattle. area’s population totaled 967 and had Table Restaurant. Photo courtesy of 621studios.com 90 cents on the dollar leaves the com- Children and diners are learning about cedures that carry products share of what’s needed now and anticipat- “They got to sell produce to stores a per-capita income of around $15,700. munity,” says Hopp. “Here, 85 cents of environmentally responsible agricul- thousands of miles via fossil a deeper sense of community.” Carolina seafood, organically grown ing what’ll be needed in the future.” and restaurants, [which] got them ex- ‘Why would anyone open a gour- every dollar is going back into the town. ture. We’re having a lot of fun, and fuels, the overuse of artificial fertilizers Hopp hypothesized that if you create Florida lemons and some spirits, Harvest Overall, the strategy has worked. cited,” says Hopp. “They could see this met seasonal restaurant here?’ scoffed A substantial share of that money comes we’re healing the earth in the process.” and pesticides, inhumane factory farm- a business that maximizes local and re- Table was sourcing 90 percent of its items Within seven years of opening, the num- was a viable career path.” Hopp’s critics. ‘It will have no clien- from non-local sources ... In just eight And all of this has been made pos- ing methods, and the disappearance of gional participation, this will in turn bol- within a 100-mile radius. ber of partnering farms and artisans has The Farmers Guild General Store, a tele. The idea is naive. Foolhardy. And years we’ve put upwards of $1 million sible simply by believing in local foods. the family farmer, just to name a few. ster the community’s overall well-being. “We quickly got to know our area blossomed to nearly 100. Taste-wise, by two-story cooperative retail outlet adja- doomed.’ back into the local economy.” Isn’t it amazing what a meal can do? “The story about our experiment to Present the notion to many accoun- producers,” says Hopp. “While we 2011 the buzz was so audible it attracted cent to Harvest Table, features the work But Hopp thought differently. By Meanwhile, according to Hopp, ev- To find more information, visit eat in-season, locally grown foods became tants and they will laugh in your face, couldn’t buy every last heirloom to- a New York Times food writer, who of over 200 local artists and artisans, considering the venture in terms of eryone involved is learning a little some- harvesttablerestaurant.com v decrying your thinking as, economi- mato grown in the county, if someone subsequently described the restaurant including hand-carved chess boards, traditional, profit-motivated business more than just our story,” explains Hopp. cally speaking, a loser’s bet. And likely was producing celery in October, we’d as a place that would be “an instant home-spun wools, paintings, photo- models, detractors all but missed the “Thousands of folks responded, telling they would be right. But in Hopp’s case, buy every last bit of it. It was a learning hit in a progressive, urban enclave like graphs, books, hand-blown glass orna- point. Indeed, Hopp believed the true us of their efforts to reclaim a healthier with financial backing provided by experience for [everyone].” Brooklyn or Berkeley, California.” ments, soaps, jams, furniture, jewelry, riddle was how to maximize a busi- food culture — they found their local Miracle, while he wanted the business It didn’t take long for relationships earthenware and myriad other items. ness’s positive impact on its community. farmers’ market, raised chickens and Growing Beyond planted gardens. [Miracle] helped inspire to be financially viable, he was ulti- to form. Growers began phoning Newton the Table All are exquisite, locally produced and “Dear Babette, Turning a ‘Miracle’ mately chasing a different kind of profit. before planting the season’s vegetables. definitely for sale. individuals, families and communities to Devoted to spreading the gospel You and your staff of into Reality “A sustainable and socially respon- Expert foragers would stop in and By combining the storefront with the be involved in local food movements.” of sustainability through participatory writers continue to amaze. sible business has three cornerstones: peddle what they’d found. Farms were restaurant, Hopp is able to provide tal- For Hopp, a professor of environ- Considered from such a vantage, education, Hopp began expanding his In my view, the quality Financial, environmental and social,” upgrading their infrastructure and pur- ented local artisans with a sales platform. mental science at Emory and Henry opening a restaurant based on principles operations. He and Eubanks tapped explains Hopp. “For us, the latter was the chasing additional heritage breed live- With an estimated 40 percent of of articles in Carolina University, the notion seemed a logical outlined in Miracle made perfect sense. It into the World Wide Opportunities for most important ... We believed if we made stock to meet the restaurant’s demand Harvest Table’s customers streaming Mountain Life have elevated outgrowth of Miracle. After all, the book was simply the next phase of the project. Organic Farms network and partnered the restaurant a model for sustainable for organic, sustainably raised meats. in from nearby arts presentations in your publication to #1. had, at its heart, been about the Hopp- “The experiment started when with Appalachian State to offer farm- principles, it would effect a kind of para- In short, the project was working. Abingdon, Trip Advisor recommenda- Congratulations on a sterling Kingsolver family’s year-long journey we realized we could do something ing internships. They reached out to digm shift for the community at large.” However, Hopp and Newton weren’t tions, or articles like this one, the ben- literary contribution to the to eat and drink as locally sourced and for [our little] town of Meadowview,” area public school systems, coordinat- Determined to test the hypothesis, done. efits to the community are substantial. High Country!” seasonally specific as possible. As co- says Hopp. “Clearly we needed jobs. ing guided field-trips to the farm, and Hopp bought and renovated a big With sky-high culinary ambitions And the fact that the restaurant has authors, while Kingsolver dramatized However, we needed jobs that created partnered with the Old Glade Antique — Barry M. Buxton, Ph.D. building in the center of Meadowview’s — “We wanted our food to taste as good been named by both Virginia Living Tractor Association, the city of Abing- President, 2016 dilapidated, .1-mile strip of a downtown as anywhere in the U.S.,” says Hopp. and Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Lees-McRae College don and White’s Mill to grow and mill that had once been a booming railway “That was one of our major goals.” — as the state and region’s “greenest” heirloom corn varieties. High Country and textile hub. He convinced his long- there remained specialty ingredients restaurant has certainly helped. Harvest Table Farm gathered wood time friend, protégé and farm-to-table that weren’t getting produced. For “When someone visits we want chips for mulch from state road crews, mastermind Phillip Newton to man the farmers with the know-how to pull it them to have a good time and be and collected nitrogen-leaching manure kitchen, and promptly set to work. off, the labor demands of raising small amazed by the food,” says Hopp. “We Farm Tour from local cattle and poultry operations Saturday, June 18th advanced pass prices Within a few short months of open- batches of specialty vegetables, herbs want them to access the community Caldwell County to add to the wood chips for compost. $ One Tour 2 - 6 PM ing, Hopp and Newton had discovered and spices didn’t make economic sense. experience. Which, I think, is why we 20 And they spearheaded an effort to open “What a great magazine!” Saturday, July 16th nearly 50 local farms from which to So in early 2010, Hopp purchased a have so much repeat business. That’s $ Two Tours WATAUGA COUNTY a collective canning kitchen accessible 30 9 AM - 12PM, 2 - 6 PM purchase sustainably raised ingredients. 4.5 acre tract of property adjacent to his what keeps them coming back.” $ Three Tours to area growers. 828-737-0771 • PO Box 976, Linville, NC 28646 40 They devised an impressive menu of and Kingsolver’s homestead and hired In the end, while Hopp is quick to Saturday, August 13th As a board member of the Abingdon- At stores & businesses almost everywhere in the High Country Ashe County Virginia-made wines, ciders and beer. Appalachian State University agro-ecol- point out the project is not making any- 2-6 PM based regional nonprofit Appalachian ... and online at CMLmagazine.com Eventually, beyond free-trade coffee, ogy and sustainable development gradu- one rich fast, he says the farm, restau- [email protected] Visit farmtour.brwia.org or email [email protected] for more information Sustainable Development, Hopp also South Carolina-produced rice, North continued on next page rant and Guild are putting money in Page 20 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 June / July 2016 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 21 is pitting companies and communities Most Resistance that want easier access to affordable Solar power is one of the Continued from previous page Appalachia’s Political Landscape solar against Duke Energy. fastest growing energy sources N.C. Sustainable Energy Association. “It In April, the North Carolina Utilities in the United States. But due to a patchwork of regulations, the is falsely assumed that the [renewable Commission shot down an experimental total amount of solar capacity solar project set up on a Greensboro The Path of Most Resistance energy standard] is a cost to ratepayers.” installed varies widely by According to the North Carolina- church to test the legality of third-party state and sector. Illustration Renewable energy is here to stay. But utility pushback and state based research institute RTI International, electricity sales. North Carolina is one of courtesy of the Smart Electric energy costs are lower today than they only four states in the country with a ban Power Alliance. policy battles could determine who has access to cleaner power. would have been if the state continued on third-party sales, which allow energy producers other than utilities to compete By Brian Sewell In March 2015, Gov. Earl Ray Tomb- to rely entirely on conventional power Since currently only in the clean energy lin vetoed a bill directing the state Pub- sources. Researchers estimate invest- a handful of the utilities’ Last December, Congress super- marketplace. Duke lic Service Commission to ments in renewables and energy efficien- customers have systems charged America’s already-booming Energy operates in investigate utilities’ most cy to comply with the renewable standard that size, Main argues the solar industry when it extended federal three of those states. common argument against will generate $651 million in savings for extra fees are intended to discourage tax credits for commercial and residen- NC WARN, net metering: that, as more ratepayers between 2008 and 2029. the residential solar market rather than tial projects. The boost is expected to the Durham-based homeowners go solar and Even Jim Rogers, who was CEO of protect ratepayers. And, like utility nearly double the total amount of solar advocacy group be- save money, eventually Citizens are calling on their power companies to Duke Energy in 2007 when the company arguments against net metering, the installed — and the number of solar jobs hind the test project, customers without solar increase access to renewable energy in creative ways. helped craft the standard, called out the charges ignore the benefits of distrib- — in the United States by 2021. Appalachian Power Company customers attend a appealed the com- will be forced to pay more. policymakers pushing to weaken it. uted resources. With federal incentives locked-in for grassroots meeting to oppose extra charges and size mission’s ruling in But groups includ- “They are not focused on the fu- “[Distributed generation] is being the next five years, battles for the future of limits on solar in Virginia. Photo by Hannah Wiegard. ture,” Rogers said last year during a May and disputed ing The Alliance for So- A solar project designed to test North Carolina’s ban on done with private investment, but it is a clean energy are heating up in dozens of the idea that North lar Choice and WV SUN third-party electricity sales catches some rays on the roof speech at the Charlotte Business Jour- tremendous public service,” Main says. states. Across the country, electric utilities Carolina is a leader That’s harsh but not far off, according to claimed the bill’s vague of a Greensboro church. Photo courtesy of NC WARN. nal’s Energy Inc. Summit. “They are are fighting to maintain monopoly control Ivy Main, an environmental lawyer who As Duke Energy and Dominion re- focused on the past.” on solar when it lacks policies to promote language could lead to hour, compared to 13 cents per despite being uncompetitive in interstate strict access to solar, they’re making the in the face of increasing power generation commercial and residential installations. writes about Virginia energy policy on her fees and even punitive charges on West Companies including New Belgium from distributed resources like rooftop kilowatt hour, the average retail price of electricity markets. Research by the Insti- blog Power for the People VA. case to utility regulators — and ratepay- Virginians that already have solar. Two Brewing and Mars, Inc., sent a letter to solar or small wind projects that produce electricity in the state. The higher value tute for Energy Economics and Financial Standby for Solar “We’ve reached an economic tipping ers — that building the $5 billion Atlan- weeks after vetoing the original bill, lawmakers opposing the effort because electricity near the point of consumption. accounts for benefits to customers with Analysis indicates the plan could cost Unlike North Carolina, the solar point where some residents and busi- tic Coast Pipeline to transport natural Gov. Tomblin signed a revised version the renewable standard gave “compa- gas is a must to maintain reliability and In many states, though, clean energy or without solar such as reductions in ratepayers more than $4 billion. market in Virginia has sat idle for years. nesses find it worth doing,” says Main. into law that also instructs the commis- nies like ours the business case to build meet growing electricity demand. The has built a constituency. Where the solar air and climate pollution. The commonwealth has about the same ”But we also have standby charges that sion to consider the potential upsides of Tug-of-War Tests Laws and operate in North Carolina.” Apple, two utilities will own a majority stake industry is well-established, it supports Overall, a recent analysis by North potential for solar as its southern neigh- apply to larger residential systems.” net metering. More than any other state in the Google and Facebook, which have data in the project, but if anticipated demand thousands of jobs and has the backing of Carolina State University’s Clean Energy bor, but lacks a mandatory renewable Another emerging trend is actions Several state commissions are way Southeast, North Carolina has emerged centers in the state, warned legislators in for natural gas does not materialize, a committed customer base that is calling Technology Center found that changes portfolio standard and never enacted by utilities to impose fees on custom- ahead of West Virginia’s and have as a national solar leader, especially another letter that freezing the standard their customers will still be on the hook for access to renewable power — for all. to net metering policies or the valuation state tax credits to bolster clean energy ers with solar that still need the grid as when it comes to utility-scale solar would “risk undermining the state’s already concluded that the benefits of of distributed solar were considered or investments. backup. Dominion Virginia Power and to pay for the pipeline. Distributed Disputes farms. Between 2007 and 2015, nearly $6 almost decade-long commitment to net metering are both vast and shared. enacted in 46 states last year alone. Many An April report by the Center for Bio- Appalachian Power Company have “We’re seeing a clash of visions,” Pick any state on the map and billion was invested in clean energy de- renewable power and energy efficiency.” In 2014, the Mississippi Public Services of those stemmed from utility-led efforts logical Diversity gave Virginia — among both instituted “standby charges” in says Main. “It’s going to take a lot of there’s likely a battle related to residen- velopment in the state. Last year, North The renewable standard survived Commission found that net metering to thwart solar that are unlikely to let up. other southeastern states including Ala- Virginia that will cost customers with public pressure to expand access to clean tial solar already underway. Take West Carolina added 1,134 megawatts of due to a groundswell of public atten- promotes energy security and takes The American Legislative Exchange bama, Georgia and Tennessee — an “F” solar systems larger than 10 kilowatts energy and make sure we’re not locked Virginia, where lawmakers approved solar capacity, second only to California. tion and support from a broad range of v pressure off the state’s power plants Council, an organization of industry on policies to help residents access solar. hundreds of dollars each year. into fossil fuels for the next 30 years.” State tax credits for solar projects stakeholders. But now a different fight changes last year to net metering, a during periods of high energy demand. groups and state lawmakers that drafts policy that allows utility customers with and a standard requiring utilities to A similar study conducted for the model legislation, has resolved to change TH Kentucky Tennessee North Carolina Virginia West Virginia meet a portion of electricity demand 114 CONGRESS: Below are recent congressional bills and amendments on envi- their own solar installations to offset the Maine Public Utilities Commission in state net metering policies. In its 2016 ronmental issues and how central and southern Appalachian representatives voted. To with renewables have made the state a see other recent votes, or for congressional representatives outside of the five-state area, cost of power they draw from the grid 2015 valued electricity generated by corporate goals, the Edison Electric In- model of solar success. But some North visit congress.gov. =pro-environment vote✗ =anti-environment voteO =no vote with power they produce. distributed solar at 33 cents per kilowatt stitute, an association of investor-owned Carolina policymakers want to take a

T. Massie H. Rogers A. Barr RoeP. J. Duncan Fleischman S. Desjarlais V. Foxx McHenryP. M. Meadows R. Hurt B. Goodlatte M. Griffith D. McKinley A. Mooney E. Jenkins HOUSE (R) KY-04 (R) TN-01 (R) TN-04 (R) NC-10 (R) VA-09 electric utilities that funds ALEC and (R) KY-05 (R) KY-06 (R) TN-02 (R) TN-03 (R) NC-05 (R) NC-11 (R) VA-05 (R) VA-06 (R) WV-01 (R) WV-02 (R) WV-03 different path. Lawmakers let the state’s helped draft the resolution, calls on H.R. 897, the Zika Vector Control Act, would allow direct pesticide applications solar tax credit expire at the end of 2015. power companies to continue pushing to navigable waters without a Clean Water Act permit. Agencies responsible for ✗✗✗✗ ✗✗ ✗ ✗✗✗✗✗✗✗✗✗ After an attempt in the state leg- preventing vector-borne diseases already have the ability to apply pesticides back against distributed generation. without a permit in emergency situations. 258 AYES 156 NOES 19 NV PASSED islature last year to weaken the state’s • Delicious Deli-Style Sandwiches Some utilities that have lobbied Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, Amendment 1090 to H.R. 5055, the Energy and Water Development and Related to impede distributed solar are also Agencies Appropriations Act, would cut $50 million from the federal government’s • Homemade Soups solar advocates are doubling down to ✗ ✗✗✗ ✗ ✗ ✗✗✗✗✗✗✗✗ pushing to keep uneconomical power Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program and boost the Fossil Energy Re- communicate the benefits clean energy search and Development Program by $45 million. 182 AYES 236 NOES 15 NV FAILED • Vegetarian Fare plants online. In March, FirstEnergy provides to residents. Note: Senate legislation needs 60 votes to pass and American Electric Power, which SENATE M. McConnell (R) R. Paul (R) L. Alexander (R) B. Corker (R) R. Burr (R) T. Tillis (R) T. Kaine (D) M. Warner (D) J. Manchin (D) S. M. Capito (R) • And Much More! “We learned that there is a lot of have pushed for changes to net metering Amendment 3202 to S.2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act, would ensure misinformation surrounding the solar that mortgages reflect a home’s expected energy costs to reduce consumption and ✗ ✗ ✗ in West Virginia and other states, won create energy-efficiency retrofit and construction jobs. 66 YEA 31 NAY 3 NV PASSED industry and the clean energy industry approval from Ohio regulators to raise as a whole,” says Maggie Clark, Interim Amendment 3312 to S.2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act, would require 240 Shadowline Drive, Boone, North Carolina rates to keep seven aging coal plants and the Secretary of the Treasury to propose a plan for Clean Energy Victory Bonds to ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ Director of Government Affairs of the (828) 262-1250 • www.Peppers-Restaurant.com one nuclear plant operating until 2024, fund increased federal energy efficiency and renewable energy while providing a continued on next page financial return for investors. 43 YEA 52 NAY 5 NV FAILED

Page 22 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 June / July 2016 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 23 the ENERGY REPORT the ENERGY REPORT the N.C. Department of Health and Hu- Recent Studies Question the Economic N.C. Coal Ash Cleanup Plans Proposed, Controversy Continues man Services informing them of unsafe Concerns Linger as Coal Companies By Hannah Petersen led to the intermediate classifications. coal ash law to finalize the rankings, levels of heavy metals in their well water, Benefits of Pipelines In another study, the Institute for Emerge from Bankruptcy According to DEQ, providing water was ruled unconstitutional in March. As including the carcinogen hexavalent Following a series of 15 public hear- Energy Economics and Financial Analy- to communities around the impound- of press time in early June, the Senate chromium. This March, the state agen- By Elizabeth E. Payne By Brian Sewell have gone through bankruptcy. ings throughout the month of March, sis concluded that pipelines from the ments will alleviate water quality con- and the House passed Senate Bill 71, cies rescinded those letters, claiming that Although Arch pledged to honor its on May 18 the N.C. Department of En- New studies raise challenges about Marcellus and Utica shale beneath Ohio, Following months of tumultuous cerns, potentially allowing the agency which could reestablish the commis- further studies revealed the recommen- commitment to pay employee benefits, vironmental Quality released rankings the financial harm of two natural gas New York, Pennsylvania and West Vir- court proceedings, major coal companies to reclassify the intermediate rankings sion and provide future regulation for dations were overly cautious. the company reserved the right to change for Duke Energy’s coal ash impound- pipeline projects proposed for West ginia — the source for both proposed are seeking approval for plans to exit as low. A low-priority ranking would clean-up procedures. The Governor has However, no physical well testing pension and healthcare contracts. Anoth- ments across the state. Eight sites are Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina — pipelines — are being overbuilt. bankruptcy — despite the objections of allow Duke to leave the ash. threatened to veto it. for contaminants occurred in North er struggling coal giant, Alpha Natural classified high priority, meaning the the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast The study also concludes that the key stakeholders including regulators, “Residents are angered that DEQ “This is a way for Duke to wiggle Carolina. During a deposition, DHHS Resources, was recently allowed to break impoundments must be closed and the Pipelines. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission lenders and union miners. is already asking the legislature to con- out of fixing the problem,” says Doris State Epidemiologist Megan Davies its contract with United Mine Workers ash excavated and moved to another A study released in May by Key- “facilitates [this] overbuilding” and that On May 5, Arch Coal revealed a sider changing the coal ash law in 18 Smith, a Walnut Cove resident who revealed that the “extensive study” of America, a move that could affect location by 2019. The remaining 25 were Log Economics LLC estimated that the much of the cost of construction would plan to emerge from bankruptcy that months, likely creating further delays lives roughly two miles from Duke’s meant “reviewing literature,” and that more than 3,000 employees and retirees. ranked intermediate, to be closed and Mountain Valley Pipeline would cost lo- likely be passed on to ratepayers. sheds little light on how the company and loopholes,” stated a press release Belews Creek Power Station, which was the quantity of pollutants allowed, like According to the Associated Press, the excavated by 2024. cal communities more than $8 billion. The “None of the economic interests will pay to clean up its mines or meet its from Alliance of Carolinians Together ranked intermediate. “Providing water hexavalent chromium, was changed to company also plans to eliminate benefits But these rankings could change. study was commissioned by The POWHR within the natural gas industry have any obligations to employees or the group (ACT) Against Coal Ash — a coalition of does nothing for the pollution. The only match more lenient federal guidelines. to non-union miners. DEQ requested a change to the state law Coalition (Protect Our Water, Heritage, incentive to seriously consider whether of lenders that hold most of its debt. The community members directly impacted solution is to get the ash out of here.” When asked if she thought the let- Both Arch and Alpha are pressing governing coal ash disposal and asked Rights), an alliance of citizen groups from alternatives to natural gas — energy ef- company’s plan does, however, ensure by the state’s coal ash. ters should have been rescinded, the ahead; Arch’s creditors will vote on its the General Assembly for an 18-month In 2015, more than 300 residents eight Virginia and West Virginia counties ficiency, renewable energy or other forms senior lenders will be paid. If approved, The Coal Ash Commission, the deposition transcript shows Davies’ restructuring plan in June, and a vote on extension during which Duke Energy living near Duke Energy coal ash ponds along the pipeline’s proposed route. of power generation — may be cheaper,” the plan would leave junior lenders and regulatory body established by the state response was “No.” Alpha’s plan will come in July. can take action to remediate issues that were sent “Do Not Drink” letters from The study’s authors calculated one- write the authors of the report. current shareholders with scraps. time and annual costs to the eight-county Environmental advocates and But regulators and environmental Virginia Utility Submits Plan for the Future Fracking Wastewaters Linked to Contamination region from lost property values and homeowners along the routes continue groups say Arch’s plan is most problem- taxes, and decreased natural beauty and to voice concerns about the harm the atic for how it fails to address hundreds In May, Dominion Virginia Power This multi-billion dollar investment The U.S. Geological Survey released metals such as strontium, barium and quality-of-life that would result in fewer pipelines are likely to cause if con- of millions in cleanup costs at the com- submitted its multi-year forecast for would come at the expense of more a study in May that for the first time lithium were found in higher concentra- people moving to or visiting the area. structed. Most recently, the Blue Ridge pany’s mines in Central Appalachia and meeting energy and financial demands renewable alternatives. According to linked surface water contamination to tions in the downstream samples, as were According to the U.S. Energy In- Parkway Foundation announced its western states. while complying with the federal Clean nonprofit advocacy group Natural natural gas fracking wastewater injec- radioactive compounds. Wolf Creek is a formation Administration, the capacity opposition to the construction of both Several states have allowed Arch and Power Plan. Resources Defense Council,it “is all tion sites. tributary of the New River. to generate power from natural gas is pipelines, each of which are projected other companies to self-bond, a practice The proposal presents alternate about dramatically boosting company Dr. Denise Akob and her colleagues In another study of this site, re- expanding rapidly, particularly around to cross the parkway. And the Board of that allows the company to insure the cost approaches for meeting its goals and profits by asking its hundreds of thou- at USGS studied the effects of a wastewa- searchers from Duke University found major shale plays. In the mid-Atlantic, Supervisors of Augusta County, Va., also of restoring the land after mining based compares the estimated cost of each. In sands of Virginia electricity customers ter storage facility located on Wolf Creek, that the downstream samples also con- Virginia is projected to have the great- asked FERC to reject the current route of on their financial history, rather than re- announcing its plan, Dominion claims to pay for unnecessary and overpriced near Lochgelly, W.Va. They took water tained endocrine-disrupting compounds est increase in capacity over the next the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. quiring collateral or a more secure form of that it is “lessening dependence on coal construction.” and sediment samples from locations at that are known to affect the reproductive two years. bonding. Environmental groups includ- and significantly increasing use of re- “That loud sucking sound is Do- the facility, upstream, downstream and organs of certain fish. ing the Powder River Basin Resource Used, newable resources such as solar power.” minion vacuuming money from its from nearby waterways. The companies operating the facil- Clean Power Plan Court Case Delayed Until September Council argue the option to self-bond Rare & Out Environmental groups are uncon- customers’ pockets for a $19 billion dol- The researchers wrote that “multiple ity in Fayette Co., W.Va., are fighting the The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. a specific section of the Clean Air Act.If the should be off the table for companies that vinced and are challenging the propos- lar boondoggle,” Glen Besa, director of lines of evidence demonstrate that activi- implementation of a county-wide ban on Circuit has postponed hearing challenges to EPA wins, emission reductions must be met of Print Books al, particularly Dominion’s suggestion the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, ties at the disposal facility are impacting fracking wastewater disposal and storage the federal Clean Power Plan until Sept. 27. by any stationary source that emits carbon Obama Administration Nears Specializing in of building a third nuclear reactor at its told the Associated Press. — Elizabeth the stream that runs through the area.” that passed unanimously in January. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dioxide, and the EPA will have the power to Books about Black regulation is designed to reduce carbon require the best technology and systems to North Anna facility in Louisa County. E. Payne InsideClimate News reports that Elizabeth E. Payne Standards on Methane Mountain College emissions from electricity generation by at meet the reductions. On May 12, the U.S. Environmental least 32 percent by 2030. Until the review occurs, the EPA cannot Protection Agency took a step toward cut- Newsbites improving low-income utility programs and vironmental groups such as Appalachian sion to make customers supplement the The postponed date will allow the full implement or enforce the Clean Power Plan. ting methane emissions by 40 percent over opting into the early credit options provided Voices, attended this meeting. cost for coal ash cleanup with increased 17-judge panel to review the case instead Although the carbon regulations have the next ten years. Methane is a greenhouse Energy Burden Affects Low- by the Clean Power Plan’s Clean Energy “It’s time for a planned transition that rates. According to an article by the Public of a 3-judge panel originally scheduled to generated significant attention among poli- gas that traps at least 25 percent more heat Income and Minority Communities Incentive Program. — Hannah Petersen will keep federal coal in the ground,” Bonnie News Service, average monthly rates for hear arguments on June 2. cymakers, a recent national survey shows than carbon dioxide. Low-income, African-American, La- Swinford from the Tennessee Chapter of the KU consumers could increase $2.16 and The case will determine whether it’s that 7 in 10 voters have heard “just a little A significant source of methane is tino and renter households spend a higher Feds Seek Public Comment on Sierra Club said in a press release. $2.26 for LG&E consumers. The revenue legal for the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide or nothing at all” about the Clean Power natural gas. The new action requires the oil percentage of their household income on Coal Leases Written comments can be submitted would go toward closing and capping the emissions from existing power plants under Plan. — Hannah Petersen and natural gas industry to provide informa- energy bills than the average household The U.S. Department of Interior is re- to DOI until July 28. For more information, companies’ existing coal ash ponds, build- tion needed before the EPA issues the final in the same cities, according to a study by viewing the federal coal leasing program visit tinyurl.com/CoalComment. — Elizabeth ing new process water systems and control- 2016 Predicted to Show a Drop in U.S. Coal Use rules. The standards are expected to limit the American Council for an Energy Efficient E. Payne ling air emissions for the plants. However methane leaks from existing infrastructure to re-assess the health, environmental and This year is predicted to see the larg- also declining and, on average, stockpiles Economy and the Energy Efficiency for All conservationists believe the costs of coal and prevent leaks in new constructions, financial impacts of mining and burning coal est decline in coal production since 1949, measured in February 2016 were 26 percent coalition. This high energy burden can be found on federally owned land. Ky. Utilities Seek Rate Increase pollution that have been ignored for several such as wells and pipelines. with the amount of coal produced in the higher than those measured in 2015. Jean & Carl Franklin Powered tied to less efficient housing and is most Six public hearings will be heard across decades should be factored into the costs With an eye on limiting climate change, by (PV) for Coal Ash Cleanup Appalachian region forecasted to decline The agency states this decline in con- 103 Cherry Street Solar Cells prominent in the Southeast and Midwest the country through June. On May 26, the Kentucky Utilities Company and Louis- of production, not consumption. Information the Obama administration is seeking to ad- by 15 percent in 2016, according to the U.S. sumption and production is due to a mild Black Mountain, NC 28711 regions of the United States. The study about rate increases can be found at psc. dress a potent source of greenhouse gas southeastern hearing was held in Knoxville, ville Gas and Electric are seeking permission Energy Information Administration. winter and competition from the natural gas suggests energy efficiency tactics that could Tenn. Concerned citizens, as well as en- from the Kentucky Public Services Commis- ky.gov. — Hannah Petersen with these measures. — Elizabeth E. Payne (828) 669-8149 help to remediate this discrepancy such as The EIA reports that consumption is market. — Hannah Petersen [email protected]

Page 24 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 June / July 2016 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 25 INSIDE APPALACHIAN VOICES About Our Program Work INSIDE APPALACHIAN VOICES About Our Program Work Accelerating Appalachia’s Energy Savings Appalachian Voices is committed to Connecting the Economic Dots in Southwest Virginia protecting the land, air and water of the Momentum is growing around we worked with Blue Ridge Electric central and southern Appalachian region. At a recent economic summit in development initiatives to help move our Energy Savings for Appalachia to launch the program, and we’re con- Our mission is to empower people to defend Wise, Va., Dickenson County resident Southwest Virginia forward. our region’s rich natural and cultural heritage program, which launched in 2013 to tinuing to help improve the program by providing them with tools and strategies Tammy Owens paused at the Appala- Although the region is struggling, increase the energy efficiency options and educate members about the new for successful grassroots campaigns. Energy Policy Director Rory McImoil discusses chian Voices information booth to talk there are opportunities, too. Under available for members of rural electric opportunity. energy efficiency in Boone, N.C. about reclaiming existing abandoned the Obama administration’s POWER cooperatives in western North Carolina Our team is also expanding our Organizational Staff coal mines in ways that benefit the lo- Initiative to boost areas around the — and so far, six Appalachian co-ops and East Tennessee. community outreach around energy Executive Director ...... Tom Cormons cal economy. Owens runs an organic country hit hard by coal’s decline, the This spring, Blue Ridge Electric efficiency to residents and local orga- have expressed interest in taking part! commercial farm on former strip mine 2016 federal budget includes a total of Read more about these initiatives, OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT Adam Wells, our economic diversification campaign Membership Corp. — an electric co- nizations in the French Broad Electric Director of Development ...... Susan Kruse land. She also wants to start an outfitter $65 million for matching grants. And and the reasons why rural electric co- coordinator, left, helped organize the May summit. operative in the N.C. High Country Membership Corp. and Surry-Yadkin Controller ...... Maya Viknius company running river trips along the if passed, the bipartisan RECLAIM dustries like solar energy. During breakout sessions, attendees discussed — announced a new financing option Electric Membership Corp. territories. operatives have the ability and obliga- Operations Manager ...... Shay Boyd solar energy, agriculture, health and more. Russell Fork River and is working with Act would release an additional $1 bil- Developing solar energy in South- to help eligible members pay for en- In Tennessee, we’re collaborating tion to lead the way in energy efficiency Operations and Outreach Associate ...... Lauren Essick Development Coordinator ...... Leigh Kirchner the county and the U.S. Forest Service to lion over five years for remediation of west Virginia was one of the featured ing with environmental consulting firm ergy efficiency improvements to their with state organizations and electric on page 10. And check out Energy Sav- develop a boat take-out site on another abandoned mine lands that have a post- topics at the Appalachian Voices booth. Downstream Strategies and engineering homes. Alongside residents, energy cooperatives to develop a statewide ings news and resources about how to PROGRAMS Director of Programs ...... Matt Wasson abandoned strip mine. cleanup economic benefit. For the past several months, we have firm Coal Mining Engineering Systems, services contractors and local agencies, energy efficiency financing program make your home more energy efficient Campaign Director ...... Kate Rooth Owens was one of more than 300 During afternoon breakout ses- been partnering with the nonprofit at appvoices.org/energysavings. LLC, to identify optimal sites for poten- Energy Policy Director ...... Rory McIlmoil people who attended the 2016 Economic sions, attendees discussed topics such organization Appalachian Institute for tial funding under the RECLAIM Act. Legislative Associate ...... Thom Kay Forum on May 12 hosted by the Univer- as education, workforce development, Renewable Energy to research opportu- Hundreds of ideas came out of the Hellos and Goodbyes Changing Faces on the Appalachian Voices Team North Carolina Campaign Coordinator ...... Amy Adams sity of Virginia’s College at Wise. The fo- health, supporting existing businesses, nities for community-scale solar energy breakout sessions at the economic forum This spring was a time of transition at Ap- is now bringing those skills to the University of Virginia Campaign Coordinator ...... Hannah Wiegard Central Appalachian Campaign Coordinator ...... Erin Savage rum brought together public, private and attracting new businesses, developing in the region. Our focus is on building and are posted on the UVA-Wise website. palachian Voices as we welcomed fresh faces to Virginia. Jonathan and Kayti’s enthusiasm and Central Appalachian Field Coordinator ...... Tarence Ray nonprofit entities — including Appala- the region’s agricultural and natural the team and several key staff members moved talent will be greatly missed, and we wish them the local economy by generating local Six action teams will continue to develop Central Appalachian Field Coordinator ...... Willie Dodson on to new adventures. luck in their pursuits! chian Voices — working on economic assets, and tapping into emerging in- jobs and relying on local services. those ideas in advance of a 90-day prog- North Carolina Field Coordinator ...... Nick Wood Susan Kruse, who has advocated for en- Nick Wood, a resident of Durham, N.C., Our booth also focused on the op- Economic Diversification Coordinator ...... Adam Wells ress meeting scheduled for Aug. 24. vironmental protection and justice for 20 years, joins our staff as N.C. Field Coordinator, replac- July 27-31. We’ll be stationed on Participation Tennessee Energy Savings Coordinator ...... Amy Kelly portunity to reclaim abandoned mine For more information on the forum, steps in as our new Development Director. After ing Sarah Kellogg. Nick is a licensed attorney Row, where we will spread the word about AmeriCorps Outreach Associate ...... Ridge Graham lands (generally strip mines closed prior visit tinyurl.com/swva-economic- launching the Allegheny Defense Project in and worked as a labor union organizer before mountaintop removal coal mining and natural OSMRE/VISTA TN Outreach Associate ...... Lou Murrey gas pipelines and encourage stewardship of to 1977) in a way that also develops eco- forum. To learn more about our work, Jonathan Harvey Pennsylvania and leading the National Forest getting involved with environmental justice as Susan Kruse the mountains we all love. Stop by our table for nomic opportunities such as solar energy. visit appvoices.org/new-economy. Protection Alliance, Susan joined the Legal Aid Organizing Director at NC WARN. In this role, Communications & Technology Justice Center in Charlottesville, Va., as their he collaborated with Sarah to help form ACT your iLoveMountains temporary tattoo or AV t- Appalachian Voices is currently work- Director of Communications ...... Cat McCue shirt! Festival-goers also have an opportunity to Director of Development in 2006. Against Coal Ash, a statewide coalition of N.C. Senior Communications Coordinator ...... Jamie Goodman donate to AV when purchasing tickets, and Floy- “I am thrilled to join the incredible staff citizens affected by coal ash. Programs Communications Coordinator...... Brian Sewell and supporters of Appalachian Voices, who are Sarah originally joined Appalachian Voices Editorial Communications Coordinator...... Molly Moore Appalachian Voices staff is gearing up for an- dFest will match that donation. Special thanks Impacted Residents in NC and VA Protest leading the charge for a new economy and a in 2013 as an AmeriCorps Project Conserve Graphic Communications Coordinator...... Jimmy Davidson other fabulous FloydFest, and it’s not too late to Sam Calhoun, Kris Hodges, Erika Johnson, healthy environment in our region,” Susan says. member helping to grow our energy efficiency AmeriCorps Communications Associate ...... Elizabeth E. Payne for you to get your tickets and join us! We’re Kellee Mac and all the folks at Across-the-Way Duke, Dominion Shareholder Meetings This spring we said goodbye to former program and serve N.C. communities impacted IT Consultant ...... Jeff Deal honored to once again be the featured non- Productions. Learn more about the partnership This spring, Appalachian Voices Director of Development Jonathan Harvey by coal ash. Later, as our N.C. Outreach Coor- profit organization at the Southeast’s premiere and a special deal for supporters of Appalachian and our partners attended the Duke INTERNS and former Director of Leadership Gifts Kayti dinator, she worked with residents and orga- music and arts festival in gorgeous Floyd, Va., Voices (wink, wink) at appvoices.org/floydfest. Energy and Dominion Resources Economic Diversification Fellow ...... Philippa Belsches Wingfield. Jonathan served as our Director of nizations across the state to push for coal ash shareholder meetings to remind them Kayti Wingfield Nick Wood Energy Savings Outreach Assistant ...... Halie Cunningham Development for nearly three years after working cleanup. While we’ll miss her positive energy to protect ratepayers and our planet. Energy Savings Outreach Assistant ...... Josie Varela with The Nature Conservancy in his native West and dedication, we wish her well as she pur- don’t worry — if you miss the live session, It’s no secret that these big utilities NPIP Z. Smith Reynolds Environmental Justice ...... Sophia Wimberley 2016 Webinar Series Virginia. Under his leadership the team was able sues farming and builds a tiny house. you can watch the video recording online at don’t have a strong track record on Virginia Grassroots Organizing Assistant ...... Madeleine Murphy If you like reading about environmental to raise the bar, connect with new supporters We also welcome Tennessee Outreach your convenience! Videos from the first we- clean energy. Duke is working with Virginia Grassroots Organizing Assistant ...... Sam Scates and energy issues in The Appalachian Voice, and greatly expand our impact. Associate Lou Murrey, our first OSMRE/VISTA binars of 2016 cover home energy efficiency, the state of North Carolina to circum- Video and Outreach Assistant ...... Adam Sheffield delve deeper into specific topics through Ap- Before joining the Appalachian Voices AmeriCorps member. Lou, a native of Boone, on-bill financing, and natural gas pipelines. vent citizen demands that it quickly N.C. Outreach and Editorial Assistant ...... Hannah Petersen palachian Voices’ ongoing webinar series. team in 2011, Kayti worked with us and allies N.C., is a documentary photographer and a Watch recordings and stay tuned for upcom- and thoroughly clean up coal ash Editorial Assistant ...... Savannah Clemmons During these live webinars, attendees can across Virginia to fight new coal-fired power steering committee member with the STAY ing events at appvoices.org/webinars contamination, and the utility is block- ask AV staff and other experts questions. But plants as the Wise Energy For Virginia coalition Project. She is serving with our Energy Savings ing third-party solar (see page 22). Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Climate Action Network coordinator. At Appalachian Voices, Kayti’s team in Knoxville, Tenn., learning from and Board of Directors And both Dominion and Duke would Carolina Field Coordinator, pointed out numer- passion for the region helped her communicate engaging with East Tennessee communities Chair ...... Kim Gilliam AppalachianVoices rather invest in risky natural gas pipelines that ous inaccuracies in what Good said through- Sarah Kellogg our work to members and supporters, and she regarding energy efficiency. Lou Murrey Vice-Chair ...... Dot Griffith To join our Business League, visit accelerate fracking in central and northern out the meeting. Good’s response: “I can see Secretary ...... Tracey Wright AppVoices.org or call 877-APP-VOICE Appalachia than invest those resources in Business League we have a lot of work to do to rebuild trust.” Treasurer ...... Kathy Selvage affordable clean energy options like solar and Citizens from across the Southeast Members-At-Large New & Renewing Members April - May 2016 energy efficiency. converged outside Dominion Resources’ an- Clara Bingham Bunk Spann During their May 5 annual meeting, nual shareholder meeting in Columbia, S.C., Pat Holmes Lauren Waterworth Alistair Burke Photography Mac of Asheville, LLC Duke Energy shareholders, CEO Lynn Good Deep Gap, NC Asheville, NC on May 11, urging the company to abandon Rick Phelps Tom Cormons (Ex-officio) and the company’s board of directors were its agenda for decades of more dirty energy Pallavi Podapati confronted by residents affected by the coal Appalachian Mountain Brewery Mast General Store investments and instead lead the region’s Advisory Council ash in their neighborhoods. Joined by a slew Advisory Council Boone, NC Valle Crucis, NC transition to renewable energy. Hannah Wie- Jonathan C. Allen Christina Howe of climate and solar advocates, they asked gard, our Virginia Campaign Coordinator, and JonathanJessica C. Barba Allen Brown VanVan J onesJones Clinch Valley Printing M-­Prints tough questions during the meeting’s Q&A concerned Dominion Virginia customers were JessiAlfredca Bar Gloverba Brown J. LandraHaskell Lewis Murray North Tazewell, VA Boone, NC section. Sarah Kellogg, our departing North among those protesting the meeting. AlfredRandy Glover Hayes BrendaJ. Haskell Sigm Murrayon RandySilas H Houseayes BunkBrenda Spann Sigmon Page 26 | The Appalachian Voice | June / July 2016 Christina Howe Non-Profit The Appalachian Voice Organization 171 Grand Boulevard US Postage Paid Boone, NC 28607 Permit No. 294 www.appalachianvoices.org Boone, NC

Although the sharp-shinned hawk is the smallest hawk in North America, its feats of aerial acrobatics are often deadly for songbirds. This particular bird collided with a car and required rehabilitation. Fortunately, there were no broken bones, and the hawk healed quickly. The raptor was released on Nov. 25, 2012. Turn to the centerspread to read more about regional efforts to save wild critters. Photo by Marty Silver, Tennessee State Parks Renew your commitment to protecting JOIN NOW! Name ______Appalachia for future generations Address ______City ______State ______Zip ______Phone ______Email ______

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