AppalachianThe

April/ May 2012 Voice

Polluting our

DemocracyHow Dirty Energy Dollars Influence Appalachian Politics

Also Inside: Breaking Appalachia’s Job Barriers • Return of the Fox Squirrels • Building with Nature’s Shingles The Appalachian Voice A publication of AppalachianVoices A Note from our Executive Director 171 Grand Blvd • Boone, NC 28607 - 828-262-1500 Frustration with government bureaucracy some www.AppalachianVoices.org [email protected] times feels like as much of an American tradition as apple pie and baseball, though it’s considerably less for Editor...... Jamie Goodman fun. Given the audacity of what many are calling tis t s Managing Editor...... Brian Sewell Appalachia the most anti-environmental Congress on record, r Associate Editor...... Molly Moore A it can be hard to retain faith in the system. Those Distribution Manager...... Maeve Gould Appalachian Voices’ 15th Anniversary & Membership Meeting Graphic Designer...... Meghan Darst who value clean air and clean water are working Editorial Assistant...... Madison Hinshaw against an onslaught of polluter-friendly actions elp us celebrate 15 years of protecting the land, air, water Distribution VOLUNTEERS:Alison Auciello, Heather Baker, Becky that threaten hard-won environmental protections. Barlow, Jere Bidwell, Blue Smoke Coffee, Rebecca Booher, Charlie and communities of Central and Southern Appalachia! Bowles, Cindy Bowles, Jane Branham, Steve Brooks, Carmen In these challenging times, we need to remember H Cantrell, Alex Carll, Charlie Chakales, Shay Clanton, Chris that everyday citizens have tremendous power to hold politicians accountable. Clark, Patty Clemens, Theresa Crush-Warren, Beth Davis, Detta Join us for this very special annual membership meeting that will Davis, Deborah Deatherage, Lowell Dodge, Nels Erickson, Lauren By working together we can ensure that industry special interests are not put include Appalachian music, readings and revelry as we come Essick, Emma Ford, Dave Gilliam, Scott Goebel, Lisa Goodpaster, above the welfare of the people. Whether it’s Virginia residents voicing their Bruce Gould, Gary Greer, Tim Guilfoile, Kelly Griffin, Sharon Hart, Susan Hazlewood, Cary and Karen Huffman, Tim Huntley, Pamela opposition to a proposed coal-fired power plant at local hearings or hundreds together to celebrate our past, present and future work for the health Johnston, Mary K., Amelia Kirby, Rose Koontz, Frances Lamberts, Carissa Lenfert, Sean Levenson, Susan Lewis, Loy Lilley, Debra of Tennesseans converging on the state General Assembly asking for a ban on and betterment of our region. Proceeds from this event will help us Locher, Joy Lourie, Gail Marney, Lee Martin, Mast General Store, mountaintop removal, the best tool we have to fight injustice is a united voice. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continue our work to protect Appalachia for the next 15 years! Kathy McClory, Kim Greene McClure, Jay McCoy, Rich McDonough, The Honey Dewdrops ® Bonnie McGill, Mike McKinney, Steve Moeller, Dave and Donna Muhly, For over 15 years people have been coming together under the Appalachian President of the Waterkeeper Alliance Charlottesville’s folk favorites Dennis Murphy, Catherine Murray, Dave Patrick, Jackie Pontious, Bronwyn Reece, Martin Richards, Carol Rollman, Kristin Rouse, Voices banner to protect our region’s citizens and their fundamental rights to Debbie Samuels, Steve Scarborough, Gerry and Joe Scardo, Craig life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On June 21, please join us to celebrate The Jefferson Theater on the Schenker, Kathy Selvage, Gregg Shirk, Brenda Sigmon, Kayla Sims, Leah Smith, Sarah Smith, Jennifer Stertzer, Mike Wade, the 15th anniversary of Appalachian Voices in Charlottesville, Va., with music, Where: downtown mall in Charlottesville, Va. Nora Walbourn, Bill Wasserman, Jim Webb, Dean Whitworth, Amy revelry, and special guests honoring members and allies. Appalachian Voices Wickham, Donna Williams, Graham Williams, Barbara Williamson, Diana Withen, Gabrielle Zeiger, Ray Zimmerman is you, and people like you, who share a vision and are making a difference. June 21, 2012 (doors open at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m.)

Printed on 100% recycled newsprint, cover 40% recycled paper, all soy-based inks When: Thank you! Willa Mays 2nd Edition

Managingyour Kathy Mattea Bill Haney and Clara Bingham Inside this issue Grammy-winning singer The director and producer of Woodlands the award-winning film “The Last Mountain” A Guide for Southern Polluting our Appalachian Landowners The Dirtiest Congress Money Could Buy: The fossil fuel industry — and today’s members of Congress — Daniel Martin Moore Michael Johnathon Produced by: Appalachian Voices Democracy are setting records for dirty energy money...... p. 12 The 112th Congress is responsible for an onslaught Kentucky-based singer/songwriter American folksinger, singer-songwriter, Our handbook on forestry Appalachia’s top 12 legislative of anti-environmental legislation, suggesting that this Dirty Money Dozen: author, and playwright recipients of fossil fuel funds...... management gives you the could be the dirtiest Congress on record. We follow p. 14 knowledge and resources the fossil fuel money. “Art” of Influence: Art Pope and the super PAC generation you need to make smart are spending their way to the top...... p. 16 Event & Membership RSVP Form decisions about your forest The Emerging Efficiency Lobby: Proponents of doing Name ______Address ______City______and become a better more with less (energy) are making headway...... p. 18 steward of you land. State______Zip______Phone______Email______

Now with a Free DVD Current Members: Must RSVP by May 25th Become a New Member: Must RSVP by May 25th “Landowner’s Guide to sustainable Forestry” from the Model Forest Policy Program Appalachia’s Economic Outlook Regulars I am a current member and would like to attend FREE in the Become a member at $35 (minumum) and attend the event in general general admission area admission area The challenges facing Appalachia’s job market are real, Hiking the Highlands. . . . . 4 but some are working for change and finding success. I am a current member and would like reserved seating for $15 Become a member at $50 and attend the event in reserved seating p. 20 AV Book Club...... 7 Across Appalachia . . . . . 8 I am a current member and would like to make an extra gift of I would like to become a member and support Appalachian Voices but will not be attending the event ___ $35 ___ $50 ___$100 ____ other It’s a Fox. No, It’s Coal Update ...... 22 $_____ for the fundraiser Capturing p. 10 a ... Squirrel? Appalachia Opinions and Editorials. . . 24 I would like to become a Mountain Protector at $____/month ($10 minumum) and attend the event in reserved seating To get your FREE copy: Sign up at: appvoices. The facinatingly large fox Take a peek at squirrel is expanding its range in This Green House. . . . . 25 org/reenergizing or contact: 1-877-APP-VOICE MC or Visa Card # ______Expiration Date ______some of the Appalachia, and or [email protected] visually pleasing Inside AV ...... 26 edging closer to For information on VIP table seating, please Mail to: 171 Grand Blvd, Boone, NC 28607 · Make Checks Payable to Appalachian Voices finalists — and winners — of the Appalachian a reunion with its Get Involved!...... 28 State University 2011 Appalachian Mountain eastern cousin. call our Charlottesville office at (434)293-6373 Sign up online at: AppalachianVoices.org/ArtistsForAppalachia Photography Competition. ON THE COVER: Composite illustration by AV Staff p. 6 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 3 Left: Reassuringly secured by a hefty chain, Chained Rock looms over the town of Hiking the Highlands Pineville, Ky. Photo credit: Helen Gulgun Bukulmez Perusing Kentucky’s Pine Mountain Park point, the trail passes be- By Joe Tennis Henson, simply for boasting neath a natural rock bridge both a restaurant and lodge. High above Pineville, Ky., near the called the Powderhorn Despite the name and ameni- start of the challenging Laurel Cove Arch, which stands about ties, this is a wild place, as Trail, an old joke straddles a rock at Pine eight feet high and stretch- anyone exploring the rock Mountain State Resort Park. es 40 feet across the trail. “If houses, mossy boulders and Local lore suggests that the people you look at it, it resembles trickling streams of Pine of Pineville were worried about the a powderhorn from the Mountain will see. menacing-looking boulder coming flintlock rifle days,” Hen- “This park is primarily loose and rolling off Pine Mountain. In son says. a natural and cultural his- the 1930s, shortly after Pine Mountain Below that arch, the tory park,” Henson says. opened as Kentucky’s first state park, trail descends through a “In many ways, it’s a time members of the Kiwanis Club of Pinev- wider mix of trees, includ- capsule. It’s a chance to go ille devised an unusual safety strategy ing beech, tulip poplar, back and see the landscape and fastened a comically large chain to hemlock and maple. as it was in the time of Daniel the boulder so residents could see the “From there on down Boone.” reassuring chain from town. is what I consider the tran- A famed frontiersman, The so-called “Chained Rock” sition zone,” Henson says. Boone marched through makes an intriguing first stop on the “Going from the top to the these woods in the late 1700s, Laurel Cove Trail at Pine Mountain base of the mountain is the marking a road through the State Resort Park – a site named “re- equivalent of walking from nearby Cumberland Gap sort,” according to park naturalist Dean Pine Mountain State Park Southern Canada to North- and into Kentucky. From Length & Difficulty — Laurel Cove Trail, connected to ern Georgia, in terms of the 1769 to 1810, Henson Chained Rock Trail is about four miles (round-trip) and in- zones that you find for plants and says, more than 300,000 cludes steep, challenging sections (some choose to go only down and ride a shuttle back to the top). Other trails include animal species.” settlers passed through this The Honeymoon Falls Trail, a loop spanning 1.5 miles. Thickets of rhododendron, region as they slipped past Website: parks.ky.gov mountain laurel and azalea bloom what is now the state park. For more Info: (606) 337-3066 near the lower end of the trail at Today, the 1,700-acre the Laurel Cove Amphitheater, park is home to white-tailed outlined by stones and used in the deer, bobcats, skunks, rac- “I refer to it as one of Kentucky’s 1970s for an outdoor drama called coons, red and gray foxes, black last, great natural places,” Henson says. “The Book of Job.” Today, that World bears, a variety of snakes, around “I call it scenic geology — vistas, views War II-era amphitheater is a popular 130 year-round bird species, 6,000 and overlooks where you can see the site for weddings. It is also used each plant species and perhaps as many Cumberland Mountains.” year, during the last full weekend of as 40 types of trees, Henson says. Starting near a natural rock shelter, May, for the queen’s coronation during Laurel Cove Trail slides away from the the park’s annual Kentucky Mountain Left: The Laurel Cove Trail wends its way well-worn path leading to the Chained Laurel Festival Pageant. through a range of plant communities. Rock. The trail marches down a narrow Park-goers who come for special Photo credit: Helen Gulgun Bukulmez set of rock steps, beside rock walls and, events can also find hikes less challeng- at times, challenges hikers to navigate ing than the Laurel Cove Trail among an obstacle course of fallen trees. “Trail the park’s dozen miles of trails. The work is never done,” Henson says. “It’s Honeymoon Falls Trail might be the always ongoing.” park’s most popular walk in the woods. With an elevation drop of 1,100 This 1.5 loop passes a 25-foot-tall — but feet, the Laurel Cove Trail ranks as the sometimes nearly dry — waterfall. most challenging and diverse path in Other paths include the Rock Hotel the park, especially for those who skip Trail, named for a natural rock shelter, FRAPPES the shuttle and choose to walk down and the Living Stairway Trail, which and back up. “Most people walk that once traversed steps carved into the trail in one direction,” Henson says, side of a tree. noting that the uphill walk is steep. For more information on Pine The top of the mountain boasts Mountain, visit: parks.ky.gov. oak and hickory trees. At the midway

Page 4 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 Under the Same Sun: Pen pals introduce young readers to social justice By Molly Moore House, an award-winning Appa- belief as mountaintop removal munities are marginalized by coal mining encroaches on his larger society. While on a class field trip to a New lachian author, associate professor at home and school. Shocked Bringing River and York City supermarket, Meena Joshi Berea College and Appalachian Voices Naturalist’s Notebook by the divide in his com- Meena to life, House and spies a box of okra, one of her favorite board member, pens River’s letters, and munity, he learns the value Vaswani write with an foods in her native India. Emblazoned Vaswani, an author and education activ- of activism through his sage attention to detail and ear with the word “KEN- ist in India and the U.S., Left: While fox squirrels can sometimes grandmother. for the poetic that draws TUCKY,” the box displays voices Meena’s messages. Fox Squirrels Making resemble gray squirrels in coloration, Meena and River Meanwhile, tension grows the reader into the crowded there are noticable differences. In eastern mountains that remind her write with bold honesty, in Chinatown as Meena’s hard- subway stations and libraries of regions such as the Appalachians, the of her childhood home. working family struggles with the New York City and the shaded woods a Comeback in N.C. squirrels can sport more of a reddish coat When her teacher offers honoring a pact to “be our than gray squirrels, with dark brown and true selves to each other.” questionable legal status of their rent- of Appalachia. At times, the details By Madison Hinshaw 20 or 30 years ago. Because the class a list of potential even black faces and backs (left). The River and Meena both controlled apartment and tries to live and words chosen by the 12-year-old they do not have the agil- penpals, Meena selects an If you’ve ever seen what you most distinguishable have striking white have close ties with older under the radar of their calculating characters strain credulity, but these are ity of the gray squirrel, fox patches on the nose, feet and tail (below). address from Kentucky, thought was a gray squirrel on steroids, women, and the pen pals landlord. Diligently helping her par- nuances that also hook adult readers. squirrels prefer less-dense Photos credit: Jeffrey S. Pippen unintentionally finding a what you actually saw was most likely share the wisdom they ents prepare for their citizenship exam, Written for grades 5 and up, “Same forests, including those of kindred soul. a fox squirrel. glean from these relation- Meena recognizes the joys and contra- Sun Here” tackles complex societal ills the Appalachian Mountains suit the fox squirrel more than the “Same Sun Here,” by While this bushy-tailed, colossal ships. They talk about the dictions of their chosen home. in a thoughtful, uplifting story frame thinned by human activity gray squirrel, adding to the expan- Silas House and Neela Vas- squirrel is common throughout most of effect on their families as their fathers, The mix of surprise, sadness and that will captivate readers regardless of since the 1800s. sion. Property owners in those wani, chronicles the coming-of-age Appalachia, it has not been seen in the unable to find work near home, leave just determination that rises from these age. Released in February, it is on best- Adult fox squirrels counties can assist the fox squirrel’s correspondence between a pair of ob- North Carolina mountains in several for weeks or months at a time. The incidents tenderly portrays the adoles- seller lists in the South and Midwest. are much larger than transition by planting walnut trees servant, reflective 12-year-old penpals. decades. But now these furry creatures distance from loved ones in India rests cent journey from innocence to aware- the gray squirrel. They mont and coastal plains of and other hardwoods. Letter by letter, River Dean Justice, a are on a path to making an incredible heavily on Meena, and as the pair grow ness. As times get tough, the two lean on are typically about 20 to Eastern North Carolina. Kreh also mentioned that, as the coal-miner’s son from the eastern Ken- comeback in the northwestern region close, they open up about their families each other and their dialogue evolves. 26 inches long and can Using their greater size Midwestern subspecies expands south tucky town of Black Banks, and Meena, of the state. in poignant, relatable anecdotes. Through frank, misconception-busting weigh one-and-a-half to and strength, they are and eastward, their frisky cousin from an Indian immigrant living with her Already abundant in Virginia and Soon after they build their friend- discussions about cultural stereotypes, two-and-a-half pounds. able to manipulate the the east is venturing westward, setting family in the tight confines of New York further north, data provided by hunters ship, larger societal forces shake their River and Meena realize that, despite Abundant throughout large longleaf pine cones the stage for what could be a intriguing City’s Chinatown, open their worlds to in North Carolina counties — including realities. River watches in outraged dis- their differences, both of their com- much of the U.S., the fox and thrive in the state’s future for the fox squirrel. each other. Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga — dur- squirrel has two main longleaf pine forests. “When you have the rapidly ex- ing the last several years shows that subspecies: the Mid- The subspecies of fox panding numbers in this part of the more and more fox squirrels are ex- Book Club Mini Review: “Kentucky Folktales: Revealing Stories, Truths, and Outright Lies” western and the Southeastern. The squirrel that is migrating into the moun- state, and the expanding populations of panding into areas of the state near the Southeastern subspecies are dark and tains of North Carolina, however, is more the Southeastern variety in the eastern By Brian Sewell “Kentucky Folktales: Revealing Stories, tunate farmers and real-life folk heroes Virginia border, says Chris Kreh, district sometimes almost black in color, while likely the Midwestern fox squirrel. Un- part of the state, they are going to meet Even before opening Mary Ham- Truths, and Outright Lies.” such as Daniel Boone. Some wildlife biologist for the North Carolina the Midwestern fox squirrel has a wide like their eastern cousins that are more at in the middle,” Kreh says. “It’s going to ilton’s ode to storytelling, the rust- Her writing exudes a love are fact, some only fable and Wildlife Resources Commission. variety of looks including red, blonde, home in longleaf pines, the Midwestern be interesting to see what happens when colored cover, adorned with a rocking for the art as she advises the some are outright lies. Used, “The $64,000 question is why they brown and even orangish, and sport subspecies prefers hardwood forests they do meet.” chair and the kind of rustic text that reader to “read the stories More than just a collection are migrating to these counties,” says Rare & Out dark faces or backs and sometimes even with open canopies — commonly found might be carved in a tree, invites the frozen in print; then thaw of stories, Hamilton adds her Kreh. “But the bigger question is why a striking white face, tail and feet. in the Appalachian mountain landscape. reader into a world of oral traditions them out and bring them to own commentary on each of Print Books they weren’t there historically.” Habitats of the two subspecies of The Midwestern fox squirrel is ex- shared among Kentuckians for years life again.” tale’s origin. Her diligent Kreh says that changes to the forests Foxy Facts Specializing in fox squirrel are also different. The South- panding its ranges on the border of Vir- before being captured on the page. The tales inside range notes increase the collection’s in the northwest part of North Carolina in • Fox squirrels typically breed in Books about Black eastern fox squirrel prefers less-dense, ginia and North Carolina. Fox squirrel Hamilton is a professional story- from campfire-friendly scary quality, ensuring many hours the last decades could be the reason that mid-December and again in Mountain College long-leaf pine forests found in the Pied- populations are abundant in Carroll and teller, which is evident in her collec- stories, many short enough to remem- enjoyed in the chair of your choice. the picture is different now than it was June and produce two litters a Grayson counties in Virginia, and those year starting as a yearling. tion of original and traditional stories, ber after a few readings, to tales of for- numbers are starting to trickle down • There are usually one to five fox squirrels in a litter. Young Largest backpacking event in the world.... into some counties in North Carolina, Organ such as Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga. fox squirrels are born blind and UY ic ....in the friendliest town on the trail! hairless and only develop vision B e ntains The North Carolina Wildlife Re- usic from th Mou four weeks after birth. They are M sources Commission gets most of its weaned at eight to 10 weeks, data from sportsmen’s reports, includ- but may remain with their ing live observations, road kill finds mother for another month. and photos. They also have a system for • In captivity, fox squirrels are logging and reporting wildlife, which known to live about 18 years, helps create a census on the population but in the wild their maximum Jean & Carl Franklin Powered of the fox squirrel. life expectancy is about 12 by (PV) B 103 Cherry Street Solar Cells According to Kreh, the more open years for females and eight U E Black Mountain, NC 28711 Y D forests adjacent to human development years for males. Fair Tra (828) 669-8149 [email protected] www.TrailDays.us BlueSmokeCoffee.com Listener-supported radio o ering a diverse mix of music & informative programming for the heart of Appalachia. Page 6 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 7 cross Appalachia cross Appalachia A Environmental News From Around the Region A Environmental News From Around the Region Study Weighs Risks, Benefits of Fracking in North Carolina A Golden Wing and a Prayer: Restoring Warbler Habitat By The Numbers By Brian Sewell By Brian Sewell nomic benefits for landowners who own have to be stored in above-ground pits At this stage, the report says, eco- Appalachia’s favorite bird, the seven species, including the golden- Traditionally, the golden-winged property above the shale gas deposits or transported by road. nomic benefits to the state and individu- 8 A series of public hearings in March golden-winged warbler, has been se- winged warbler and the bog turtle, warbler has thrived in the forested of the Sanford sub-basin, located in the Despite the risks involved, the draft als from fracking are difficult to deter- Companies vying to develop offshore concluded that, with proper regulation, lected as one of seven focus species by whose preservation will also benefit hills and grasslands of the Appalachian wind energy in Virginia. Piedmont region of the state. report concluded that fracking can be mine. However, because North Carolina hydraulic fracturing, the controversial a new partnership between the U.S. wildlife with similar habitat needs. Mountains. But land lost to develop- By looking at other states where done safely in the state and provided does not currently have a natural gas ex- natural gas drilling method can be done Department of Agricul- ment and changes in forest- fracking occurs, the DENR report inves- initial recommendations, including traction industry, a large portion of the safely in North Carolina. ture and the U.S. Fish and ry and agricultural practices This map from the Natural Resources 18 of 22 tigated the risks associated with frack- that state officials record baseline air, jobs and specialized equipment needed Wildlife Service that aims to have caused populations The hearings, held in Sanford, Cha- Conservation Service marks the State races won in North Carolina ing and possible economic benefits that ground and surface water data to use would come from out-of-state. Due to pel Hill and Pittsboro, received public reverse population decline golden-winged warbler focus area for to decrease. The species is with the support of multi-million- could come from the practice, which is for future monitoring on how fracking low prices and high production in the comment on a draft report of the state’s through habitat restora- the new conservation program. currently under review list- aire Art Pope. See page 16 currently illegal in North Carolina. The impacts future air and water quality. Marcellus Shale and Western states, Department of Environment and Natu- tion. The “Working Lands ing under the Endangered study found that some risks are more The study also advises that the state development of a natural gas industry ral Resources’ shale gas study. for Wildlife” program will Species Act. prevalent in the Tarheel state. The dis- require gas companies to fully disclose in North Carolina seems unlikely in the Large crowds turned out in opposi- collaborate with private The “Working Lands tance between natural gas deposits and chemicals used during the process to near future. The Energy Information 77,300 tion to the practice, known widely as landowners and farmers for Wildlife” partnership underground aquifers in North Caro- regulatory agencies and to the public, Administration predicts that natural New jobs that could be created in “fracking,” citing social concerns and to restore species popula- aims to rebuild habitat on lina is significantly less than in Central a measure not required in other states. gas prices will remain below $5 per Appalachia by 2030 if the region threats to human and environmental tions while boosting rural private lands necessary for adopted a set of 15 energy-efficien- Appalachia’s Marcellus Shale, present- Funding sources for damage to roads thousand cubic feet through 2023, mak- health documented in states where the economies by protecting the warbler’s spring breed- cy policies. See page 18 ing an increased threat to water quality. and highways from the increase in large ing it less likely that the industry will practice currently occurs. Supporters working lands. ing, by managing and main- Also, the state does not have suitable truck traffic would also need to be de- move from productive areas. of the method claimed that fracking According to the US- taining forested landscapes geologic formations for underground termined due to North Carolina’s lack Feedback received during the hear- would create jobs, further the state’s DA’s Natural Resources near active agriculture or disposal of wastewater created during of pipeline infrastructure found in states ings will be incorporated into the final 750,000 energy independence and provide eco- Conservation Service, the pastureland. By cooperating Jobs lost in Appalachian counties the drilling process. Instead, it would with developed oil and gas industries. report due to the state legislature May 1. habitat of nearly two-thirds with landowners and local between the fourth quarters of of all species federally listed Photo courtesy of U.S. communities, the federal 2007 and 2009. See page 20 as threatened or endan- Fish & Wildlife Service partnership can help the gered exists on private golden-winged warbler N.C. Attorney General hike will give Duke shareholders a 10.5 supporting the increase did not consider Tick Checks: Do periodic tick lands. With $33 million in population remain at home Appeals Duke Energy percent return on their investment at the impacts on small businesses, schools checks and carefully remove any found. 1,000 lbs. funding from the Wildlife in the region and off the Rate Hike the expense of customers struggling in and consumers with fixed incomes. Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are Maximum CO2 emissions per mega- Habitat Incentive Program, Endangered Species list. a bad economy. The appeal claims that Duke Energy initially requested a 17 easier to find. watt-hour allowed by new EPA rules North Carolina Attorney General affecting new coal-fired power plants. Outdoor Pursuits: the partnership selected Roy Cooper is appealing a seven per- the N.C. Utilities Commission’s deci- percent increase that was reduced by When on a hike, Power plants can produce as much as cent rate increase for Duke Energy sion to approve the increase was not the utilities commission before the bike, or walk try to remain in the center 1,800 lbs. See page 23 customers that was approved in Janu- supported by evidence presented dur- seven percent increase was approved. of a trail to minimize your exposure. ing public hearings and that testimony For more information on tick control ary. Cooper cited concerns that the rate Mild Winter Could Result built for students from kindergarten Appalachia to Furnish event, sponsored by the Upper Watauga and Lyme disease, visit: cdc.gov/ticks. in Disease Uptick to 12th grade. For more information Asian Homes Riverkeeper and area groups, is de- $64,800,000 Health reports predict that 2012 Getting Dirty With The about the “Red, White and Blue Potato Home-furnishings and wood prod- signed to keep prescription drugs from Federal funding requested for the might be one of the worst-ever years ‘Red, White and Blue Garden” visit: asdevelop.org ucts businesses in Appalachia are being flushed into the water stream as Appalachian Regional Commission in well as out of the hands of kids. For more 2013, a five percent reduction from for Lyme disease. There are more than Potato Garden’ Tennessee PBS seeking to expand export sales from last year. 40,000 cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. Bristol Virginia Public Schools re- Harnesses the Sun Asia to the Pacific Rim at the Furniture information visit: drugtakebackday.com each year, and with this year’s warmer Manufacturing and Supply China 2012 cently approved a pilot program to help East Tennessee PBS announced that winter boosting the tick population, trade fair in Shanghai. Qualified Appa- first-graders learn the importance of a 38-kilowatt solar system mounted to those numbers could increase. Here are lachian businesses can apply to join the education, nutrition and exercise. In the their building’s rooftop is now oper- some tips to keep your family and pets Appalachia USA delegation traveling arBeCue eStaurant “Red, White and Blue Potato Garden,” ating and generating electricity. The B r & safe this summer: from Sept. 11-14. For information on the built by the Appalachian Sustainable 162-solar panel system can power four Catering ServiCe The Yard: Ticks are not out in the trade fair, visit: expo.fmcchina.com.cn Development Learning Landscapes houses for up to 40 years. Funded in middle of your lawn, they live where program, each first-grade student re- part by a grant from the Tennessee Solar Saving Our Rivers (and yards border wooded areas, or any- ceives a Potato Journal to record their Institute and the American Recovery Kids!) from Drugs Open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun.- Thur. where it is shaded and there are leaves findings as they describe, weigh and Open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. and Reinvestment Act, PBS says that Organizers of the annual prescrip- with high humidity. Place a layer of plant a potato in the school garden, the system will never cost the station or tion drug take-back day in Watauga 8304 Valley Blvd (HWY 321 Bypass) wood chips between your grass yard and then harvest the potatoes in their its members anything, but will decrease County, N.C., are stepping it up a notch Blowing Rock, NC 28605 and the forest’s edge. Ticks are attracted second-grade year. ASD now has eight the station’s power bill by 20 percent. this spring, aiming to collect one million to the wood chips because of the shade Learning Landscapes garden models to All engineering and installation work pills in this year’s May 19 Operation and moisture they provide. teach different subjects in a curriculum on the rooftop system was sourced by Medicine Cabinet. The twice-yearly contractors in eastern Tennessee. Restaurant (828) 295-3651 Catering (828) 295-3395

Page 8 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 9 “Windpower” by Cameron Baskin Winner, Our Ecological Footprint Capturing Appalachia Finalists From the Appalachian Mtn Photography Competition

By Jamie Goodman at Appalachian State University Turchin It took three judges almost a full day to Center for the Visual Arts, features works by “Stars Over Cades Cove” by Spencer Black Finalist, Landscape narrow 1,156 entries down to 49 finalists. The photographers from around the Southeast, results were stunning. and a diverse and artistic representation of This year’s Appalachian Mountain Pho- the six categories. tography Competition, currently on display Categories represented include: Adven- ture, Blue Ridge Parkway - A Ribbon of Road, Culture, Our Ecological Footprint (sponsored by Appalachian Voices and Mast General Store), Flora and Fauna and Landscape. “Caught in Flight” by The images will be on display through Amanda Prince Sat., June 2 at the Turchin Center in Boone, Finalist, Flora & Fauna N.C. Visit turchincenter.org for more informa- “These Eyes” by Lonnie Crotts tion. Can’t see the show in person? Click to :“Roadside Attraction”by Andi Gelsthorpe “Muskrat with Ranger” by Banister Pope Finalist, Culture appmtnphotocomp.org to view the finalists Finalist, Culture Winner, Flora and Fauna and winners in each category. “Cardinal” by Dot Griffith Finalist, Flora and Fauna Clean air Clean water All three for NC

“Mount LeConte Winter” by Scott Hotaling Good jobs People’s Choice Award

Western North Carolina families need clean air, clean water, and good jobs. Tell your legislator to support all three for NC. Go to www.wnca.org/findmyrep to contact your legislator. Asheville Brewers Alliance • Asheville Geothermal Inc. • Asheville Grown Business Alliance • Bio Wheels • Curtis Wright Outfitters • Headwaters Outfitters • Huck Finn Rafting • Legacy Paddlesports • Liberty Bikes • Motion Makers • Nantahala Outdoor Center • Ski Country Sports • Sourwood Inn • Sundance Power Systems • Youngblood Bicycles “Rocky Knob P.O.V.” by Eric Heistand “The Family Business” by Toril Lavendar Western North Carolina Alliance • North Carolina Conservation Network • Environmental Defense Fund • North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Foundation • Finalist, Adventure Environment North Carolina • Western North Carolina Sierra Club • North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light • Clean Air Carolina • Sierra Club • Appalachian Voices • Finalist, Culture Southern Environmental Law Center Paid for by the Southern Environmental Law Center

Page 10 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 11 The Dirtiest Congress DIRTY ENERGY MONEY (2009-Present) The charts below compare spending by the fossil fuel industry to legislation introduced during the 112th Congress that would reduce environmental protections, and how much money was spent on a pro-environment or anti-environment vote. Campaign contribution amounts include totals donated to representatives of districts in the Central Money Could Buy and Southern Appalachian region since 2009 and senators of those states (WV, VA, TN, KY, NC). Monetary figures courtesy of Oil Change International / dirtyenergymoney.org.

By Matt Wasson 2010. The biggest recipient to date has $ Contributed to Reps $ Contributed to Reps been freshman Representative David U.S. HOUSE LEGISLATION Casting Yea Votes Casting Nay Votes According to a report released at McKinley of West Virginia, who has the end of 2011, the 112th Congress #1 - Cutting the Land and Water Conservation Fund: An amendment to the 2011 House Budget $1,356,952 $123,250 introduced some of the highest- proposed by Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis to cut 90 percent of the funding allocated for the Land had achieved, in just its first year, the profile bills to roll back the EPA’s and Water Conservation Fund. Failed in the House. dubious distinction of running the most authority to enforce clean water laws anti-environmental legislative session #2 - Weakening EPA’s Clean Water Act Authority: An amendment to the 2011 House Budget by $1,400,552 $79,650 that impact the coal industry — and in history. West Virginia Rep. David McKinley proposing significant changes to reduce the EPA’s authority to has received $186,878 in money from enforce the Clean Water Act. Passed the House, excluded from Senate final bill. The report, conducted by Represen- fossil fuel sources. tatives Henry Waxman, Edward Markey #3 - Reducing Water Quality Standards: H.R. 2018 -- A bill sponsored by Florida Rep. John Mica to $1,400,552 $79,650 Rep. McKinley’s contributions are Polluting our Democracy $1,480,202 and Howard Berman, showed that, in challenge the EPA’s ability to set minimum water quality standards. Passed the House, no action in Senate. closely followed by contributions to and Patriot Coal Corporation, spend- paigns. According to Frank, “If the vot- Total $ Contributed to 2011, the House voted 191 times to weak- Appalachian House Speaker John Boehner ($171,505), ing more than $3.3 million lobbying ers have a position, the votes will kick #4 - Preventing Coal Ash Regulations: H.R. 2273 -- A bill sponsored by West Virginia Rep. David $1,450,852 $29,350 en environmental protections, averaging McKinley to prevent federal regulation of coal ash by the EPA. Passed the House, no action in Senate. Congressional with likely Republican presidential more than one anti-environmental vote Congress in 2011. By comparison, these money’s rear end every time.” Representatives by the nominee Mitt Romney rounding out the for every day the House was in session. two companies reported no lobbying In his 40 years in politics, Frank #5 - Altering the Clean Air Act: H.R. 2401 -- A bill offered by Oklahoma Rep. John Sullivan, $1,450,892 $0 Energy Industry top three ($135,500). Not surprisingly, often called the TRAIN Act, that would reduce standards for human health set by the Clean Air Act. Since 2009 All told, more than one in five of the expenses in 2007 and 2008. says, “I’ve never met a politician who, the majority of the increase in dirty en- Passed the House, no action in Senate on similar legislation. * one Appalachian representative absent for vote legislative roll call votes in 2011 were Research shows that money spent choosing between a significant opinion ergy contributions are being funneled on bills to undermine environmental on lobbying can have a significant re- in his or her district and the number of through outside groups called Super protections, including 27 attempts to turn on investment. A study published campaign contributors, doesn’t go with PACs, a new type of political action block action on climate change, 77 votes by three researchers in Kansas in 2009, the district.” committee made possible by the 2010 to undermine Clean Air Act protections, examining the return on lobbying in- That’s not to say that all of the spe- U.S. Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” eight efforts to undermine Clean Water vestments relating to a tax holiday on cial interest money has no effect. The ruling, a controversial decision that Act protections and 47 attempts to certain repatriated earnings, found that, defensive view of campaign finance of- President Obama presciently warned at weaken protection of public lands and “Firms lobbying for this provision have fered by some lobbyists and politicians the time would, “... open the floodgates coastal waters. a return in excess of $220 for every $1 — that money has no effect because both for special interests to spend without A look at campaign contributions spent on lobbying, or 22,000 percent.” sides are giving — is equally inaccurate, limit in our elections.” (see “The ‘Art’ to members of Congress elected in 2010 Although it is difficult to prove a according to Frank. “If that were the of Influence” on p.16). paints a fairly clear portrait of how that direct connection between lobbying, case, we would be the only human be- But polluting industries’ surge came to pass — oil, gas and other energy campaign contributions and the actions ings in the history of the world who, on in political spending is not limited to industries contributed record amounts of legislators, the correlation between a regular basis, took significant amounts political fundraising — expenditures of money to congressional campaigns in the unprecedented number of anti-en- of money from perfect strangers and the run-up to the 2010 elec- vironmental bills pushed make sure it had no effect on our behav- tions. According to the Cen- by the 112th Congress and ior — that is not human nature.” ter for Responsive Politics, the unparalleled political One of the primary problems is that a $ Contributed to Senators $ Contributed to Senators Top Fossil Fuel Industry Donors Since 1999 U.S. SENATE LEGISLATION Casting Yea Votes Casting Nay Votes contributions from the coal spending by the fossil fuel large portion of constituents either don’t Natural Rural Electric Company (Coal)...... $8,873,111 industry alone skyrocketed industry is hard to ignore. know, or don’t care about most legislation #1 - Push Against Environmental Programs: The 2011 budget bill that passed the House included $1,060,476 $1,125,971 Koch Industries (Oil)...... $5,890,004 to more than $8 million in Some Things passing through government — resulting extensive funding cuts and policy restrictions to environmental protections. The Senate eliminated Exxon Mobil (Oil)...... $5,319,590 most anti-environment riders before finalizing a compromise bill with the House. Did not pass Senate. 2009-2010 — more than Money Can’t Buy in the bottom line that the majority of Southern Co. (Coal)...... $4,660,127 members of Congress aren’t hearing from twice what the industry Given the increas- #2 - Tying the EPA’s Hands on Global Warming: An amendment by Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell $2,028,577 $157,870 American Electric Power (Coal) ...... $3,320,644 their constituents on important issues to repeal greenhouse gas health effects findings by the EPA and block the agency from reducing carbon had contributed in any ingly powerful and un- that affect them. But what donor money emissions and promoting fuel efficiency. Did not pass Senate. previous election cycle. Chevron Corp. (Oil)...... $3,172,347 regulated influence of does do is buy access for special interests One of the top recipients money in politics, the #3 - Voiding the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule: A resolution (S.J. Res. 27) sponsored by Kentucky $2,028,577 $157,870 to tell their side of the story; it doesn’t of coal mining industry question is raised — how Sen. Rand Paul to void the EPA’s proposed Cross-State Air Pollution Rule to reduce smog and hazardous $2,186,447 guarantee a vote, but if constituents are pollutants that travel across state lines. Did not pass Senate. dollars — receiving $228,000 during that does the average person’s voice or vote on lobbying for anti-environmental leg- silent, then special interests will be the Total $ Contributed to time period — was Senator Joe Manchin even matter? islation are also reaching record highs. only voices that legislators hear. #4 - Attempt to Block Boiler MACT: An amendment by Maine Sen. Susan Collins to block the EPA’s $2,028,577 $157,870 Appalachian Senators of West Virginia, who took a rifle and Representative Barney Frank of proposed changes to strengthen the Boiler MACT (maximum achievable control technology) rule, which by the Energy Industry Lobbying expenditures by the coal There are only two ways for citizens famously shot a hole through a cap-and- Massachusetts provided a compelling regulates toxic emissions like mercury from certain industrial boilers and incinerators. Did not pass Senate. Since 2009 mining industry grew from less than $3 to truly counter the influence of special trade climate bill in a campaign ad. answer to that question in a recent million per year in 2004 to more than interest money on politics — shining a #5 - Rushed Approval of Keystone XL Pipeline: An amendment by North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven to $2,109,177 $77,270 Based on the most recent data for episode of the National Public Radio $18 million in 2011 — with the two larg- light on who is giving the money, and rush approval for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport crude oil from Canadian tar sands to the 2012 cycle, the coal industry ap- Texas for refining and export, by circumventing the permitting process. Did not pass Senate. est mountaintop removal coal mining program, “This American Life,” that pears set to surpass the record it set in holding their recipients accountable. companies, Alpha Natural Resources focused on the role of money in cam-

Page 12 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 13 Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) A self-described “friend of coal,” the former West Representing West Virginia’s 2nd District, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito Virginia governor has received more than $740,000 The Dirty Money Dozen has received more than $850,000 over her congressional career from from the energy industry since he took office in 2009 ccording to both the Center for Responsive Politics Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) energy giants such as Dominion Resources, Chesapeake Energy — second only to Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell and Oil Change International, contributions from Congressman Nick Rahall has represented and CONSOL Energy. Capito sided with polluters on nearly every in total amount of fossil fuel con- oil, gas and other energy industries skyrocketed in southern West Virginia in Congress since 1977. piece of legislation during the first session of the 112th Congress, tributions received by senators in A Although he has received more than $250,000 voting significantly worse on environmental legislation than in previ- the past five years, with the coal industry alone contributing Southern Appalachian states. At in industry donations, he casts pro-environ- ous terms. At the beginning of 2011, she joined Reps. Nick Rahall and David McKinley in more than $8 million in 2009-2010 — more than twice his first congressional committee ment votes nearly half the time, according to sponsoring H.R. 199, a bill that would have suspended any action taken by the EPA under the hearing, Senator Manchin er- what the industry had contributed in any previous election Oil Change International. As a freshman, he Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide for two additional years. roneously claimed that the coal cycle. And during 2011, an unprecedented amount of helped draft and pass the 1977 Surface Mine industry receives “not one penny legislation was introduced to undermine environmental Polluting our Democracy Control and Reclamation Act, and rose through of taxpayer subsidies,” and shortly after the 112th be- protections and undo existing laws (see “The Dirtiest they stacked up on the energy contribution spectrum. the ranks to become chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. gan he sponsored S. 272, a bill that would amend the Additionally, Rahall is the ranking Democrat on the House Transpor- Congress Money Could Buy” on page 13). We took a look Here are the top three senators and nine representatives Clean Water Act and remove the authority of the EPA tation and Infrastructure Committee, which at Appalachian legislators from Virginia, West Virginia, who received the highest contributions from the fossil fuel Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) to prohibit discharges of materials into U.S. waters at has jurisdiction over the Clean Water Act. Freshman Rep. McKinley has received more fossil fuel money than sites designated for waste disposal. Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina to see where industry thus far in the 112th Congress. But, during the 112th session, Rahall almost any other representative or senator from Central and Southern sided against clean water legislation Appalachia, accepting nearly $400,000 from fossil fuel industries. In more than a dozen times, includ- McKinley’s district, Little Blue Run, the nation’s largest coal ash pond, Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) ing attempts to defund citizen has been leaking for years. While McKinley has announced plans to visit This freshman representative A self-described “con- protection programs, weaken the site with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, from southwest Virginia is well- Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) stitutional conservative,” mountaintop removal regula- known in energy industry circles, Rep. Davis received $38,500 from fossil fuel industries in the 112th he introduced a bill last fall to prevent the EPA from regulating coal ash. Paul is ideologically tions and block meaningful receiving the second-highest Congress, which is just a fraction of the $427,500 energy companies McKinley also introduced an amendment to another bill that would have prevented the EPA opposed to government legislation on coal ash. amount ($152,300) of fossil have contributed to his coffers since 2005. He’s held a firm position from using its Clean Water Act authority to prohibit or restrict projects that would have an regulation of business; fuel money of any Appalachian against environmental interests, siding with industry on the majority “unacceptable adverse effect” on water, fish and wildlife. But environmental advocates might the freshman senator representative. Griffith has also of bills to weaken clean air and water protections this Congress. Da- have reason for hope — McKinley sponsored bipartisan legislation to provide rebates to home- has also received over made a name for himself as one vis’ anti-regulation stance isn’t limited to environmental issues — he introduced the owners who invest in energy efficiency improvements. $226,500 from the en- of the EPA’s most aggressive foes — he introduced a REINS Act, which would require Congress to pass any major regulation. The Gallup- ergy industry. During his 2010 campaign, Paul bill to shelter polluters by stalling the EPA’s proposed Healthways Well-Being Index ranked Davis’ district as one of the bottom 5 percent notoriously said of mountaintop removal, “I limits on the amount of mercury and other pollutants nationally for physical and emotional well-being. don’t think anyone’s going to be missing a Rep. Robert Hurt (R-VA) released by boilers and incinerators. Griffith also hill or two here and there.” He recently A freshman representative in Virginia’s 5th congressional district, Hurt received $78,600 sponsored an amendment to the 2011 budget bill introduced a bill to significantly restrict from the energy sector before he was even elected, including substantial contributions to block the EPA and other agencies from protect- Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) the EPA’s ability to stop even the most from utilities such as Richmond, Va.-based Dominion Resources. In 2011, the House of ing navigable waters from mountaintop removal coal egregious mountaintop removal The current U.S. Senate Minority Leader and the longest- Representatives passed a bill co-sponsored by Hurt to prevent the EPA from regulating mining waste. A member of the House Subcommittee mines from moving forward, and serving U.S. senator in Kentucky history, McConnell farm dust, a pollution the agency had not intended to regulate in the first place. Including on Energy and Environment, he took an anti-environ- shows no signs of changing his has received $1.6 million dollars in fossil fuel industry his pre-term contributions, Hurt has received $102,300 from fossil fuel industries during mental stance on 100 percent of bills evaluated by Oil ardent anti-regulation stance donations since 1999, including large contributions from the 112th Congress. Change International. through the remaining four years energy giants such as Exxon Mobil and Koch Industries. of his term. According to Oil Change International, during his tenure McConnell has sided with fossil fuel interests and against the environment on Additional Mentions nearly every occasion. In 2011, along with fellow Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Although North Carolina does not have the environmental issues that mountaintop removal coal mining McConnell introduced S. 468, a bill that would amend the Clean Water Act to and other resource extraction brings to the other four Appalachian states profiled here, congressional ensure that coal mines and some of the nation’s largest polluters are immune to Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) representatives from the Tarheel State still receive substantial contributions from the fossil fuel industry and meaningful regulatory scrutiny. In terms of political contribu- energy corporations — with two Congressmen coming in just below the top 12 energy money earners from tions from the fossil fuel industry, coal-bearing states to earn a mention on the Dirty Money Dozen list. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) Tennessee Representative Scott Rep. Patrick McHenry the 112th Congress, receiving only to Senator Manchin of West DesJarlais is last on our list of top There is more mountaintop removal mining in Kentucky Con- (R-NC) $17,500, including $10,000 from Virginia — and has collected a total recipients. Including pre-term con- gressman Hal Rogers’ district than any other district in the United Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) Coming in at 13th on the list, Rep- Koch Industries. of $1.1 million in contri- States. Unfortunately, his district also has the seventh highest Fleischmann gained the support of a number of coal and oil companies during his freshman run for the tributions before the 2010 election, resentative Patrick McHenry repre- butions since 1999 from poverty rate in the nation, with more than 37 percent of the 112th Congress, to the tune of $46,900. He represents Tennessee’s 3rd district, which made national DesJarlais brought in $29,000, sents North Carolina’s 10th district Sen. Richard sources like Duke Energy children living below the poverty line, and his constituents ranked headlines when the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Fossil Plant spilled more than 1 billion gal- including $16,000 from Pilot Oil Corp. However, when it in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Burr (R-NC) and Dominion Resources. An opponent of offshore dead last in physical and emotional well-being in Gallup’s 2008, lons of toxic coal ash into the Emory and Clinch rivers. Fleischmann took an uncharacteristically pro- comes to anti-environmental votes, DesJarlais fits right Mountains. While Burr, a member of drilling regulation, Burr 2009, 2010 and 2011 well-being surveys of all 435 congressio- environment stance on an amendment to the House budget bill that would prohibit in. According to Oil Change International, Rep. Des- He ranks first the Senate Subcommit- in campaign tee on Energy, received pushed to reopen the Gulf nal districts in the country. Since 1999, Rogers has received more than $430,000 of the EPA from spending money on regulations that identify fossil fuel combustion Jarlais has voted against the environment 100 percent contributions only $1,000 in fossil fuel to oil drilling only months industry contributions, including significant sums from some of the nation’s largest waste (like coal ash) as hazardous. Yet Fleischmann sided in favor of another of the time, including key votes that would undermine from the fossil money in the 112th Congress (less after the Deepwater Horizon spill, polluters such as Alpha Natural Resources and Arch Coal. In 2010, he sponsored a anti-environmental coal ash bill introduced by West Virginia Rep. David McKinley the EPA’s authority to enforce the Clean Water Act and fuel industry for than almost all of his peers), he re- and in 2011 introduced a bill that and sponsored his own bill to repeal weatherization assistance that improves the deny the science related to global warming. bill to defund the EPA’s efforts to protect Appalachian citizens from the toxic valley federal repre- ceived an estimated $452,000 dur- sought to eliminate the EPA by fold- energy-efficiency of low-income residents’ homes. fills associated with mountaintop removal. senatives in North Carolina during ing the 111th Congress — second ing it into the Department of Energy.

Page 14 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 15 The “Art” of Influence North Carolina propose voter-owned, publicly-funded elections and grassroots The “Art” of Influence It gives them more choices and it helps voter education. On the other side, the A Story of Strategy in the Post-Citizens United Political Terrain them understand the records of the of- John Locke Foundation and Americans for ficeholders. He has many rationales for Prosperity advocate for protecting “free By Brian Sewell Americans for Prosperity, N.C. Real contribute and thus the why more money is just better.” and political speech rights by deregulat- Solutions represents the latest strategic amount an organization On March 15, when a campaign Engaged in their own battles, North ing campaign finance.” move by a network of think tanks, non- may spend. called N.C. Real Solutions launched, it Carolina media organizations on the left As opposition to Citizens United profits and foundations advocating In the lead-up to the came with a 30 second television spot and right have used Pope as either the grows, there is a push for campaign for low taxes and limited government. 2010 midterm election, Polluting our Democracy aimed at North Carolina Governor Bev exemplar of everything wrong with the reform. The DISCLOSE act, introduced What binds them is that they are all Pope and groups he sup- Looking back on the numbers from Perdue. The ad claimed that the new state state of campaign finance or a fighter for in April 2010, would prohibit foreign either funded, founded or otherwise ports poured $2.2 million selectively 2010 is even more revealing. Altogether, legislature’s budget, which Perdue ve- first amendment rights. corporations from influencing elections supported by one man, James Arthur into small races across North Caro- the midterm election cost nearly $4 bil- toed out of concern for its effect on edu- In the Independent Weekly, the execu- and given the public access to informa- “Art” Pope. The multimillionaire CEO lina, using methods made possible lion, passing the previous midterm elec- cation before being overridden, actually tive director of the Institute for Southern tion regarding corporate donors and their and board chairman of Variety Whole- by changes to the state’s constitution tion record, set in 2006, by more than a added funding for 2,000 more teachers. Studies, Chris Kromm, described how campaign expenditures. More recently, salers Inc., Pope has been dubbed the to reflect the Citizens United ruling. billion dollars. About $500 million was Progressives took to the blogs, the Pope strategy — much like that of his Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders intro- “Knight of the Right” by The News & Much of those dollars ended up as at- spent by outside groups to influence the where they lashed out claiming the ad friends and political allies, the billionaire duced a bill to overturn Citizens United, Observer for his support of conservative tack ads and incendiary mailers. In one, election. and the campaign distort the facts. Gov. Koch brothers — is not to just see his side which he called “one of the worst deci- principles and candidates. Margaret Dickson, who ran for reelec- Without spending limits, super Perdue, a first-term Democrat, publicly win, but to “shift public opinion and sions ever handed down by the Supreme It’s no secret that the influence of tion in the State Senate, is portrayed as PACs are waging a political war where asked for the ad to be taken off the air, the entire political debate toward a pro- N.C. Senator Richard Burr (left) and Art Pope attend an Americans for Prosperity anti-union rally in Court.” money has altered the political play- prostituting herself. Another, accused no one is safe. When President Obama calling it “misleading.” When the state’s business, anti-government agenda.” He Raleigh, N.C. Pope founded the North Carolina chapter and is one of four national directors of the As the nation catches its breath ing field. Running for political office is Chris Heagarty, a lawyer running in recently gave the green light to PACs political advocacy group that was instrumental in the 2010 election on the state and national level. second-largest newspaper, The News accomplishes this, Kromm says, by sus- after the 2010 elections, another wave more expensive than ever and in many Wake County, of voting to “raise taxes supporting his reelection, House Minor- & Observer, fact-checked the ad, they taining the network of groups that make is reaching its crest. And even if Pope’s races, no matter how small, establishing over a billion dollars,” even though he ity Leader Nancy Pelosi expressed her tricting Majority Project, or REDMAP, bowed out of the upcoming primaries. found it to be half-true. What N.C. Real up the backbone of North Carolina’s purchasing power changes in the future, a war chest is practically a prerequisite. had not yet served in the legislature. Of relief. Not accepting PAC donations, had much larger aspirations. When money equals speech, people Solutions failed to mention is that North conservative movement, including the he’ll remain the “Knight of the Right,” Two years after Citizens United vs. Fed- the 22 races that Pope and these groups according to Pelosi, would be to “unilat- Shortly after Barack Obama won as wealthy as Art Pope, the Koch brothers Carolina lost 915 teachers in 2011. Civitas Institute, the John Locke Founda- having contributed to a political con- eral Election Commission, the 2010 U.S. contributed to, they won 18. For the first erally disarm and leave the field to the the presidency by running on the theme and even George Clooney have loud voic- Created by a partnership between tion and Americans for Prosperity. quest that changed the way races are Supreme Court decision that equated time in more than a century, Republi- Koch brothers to decide who would be of “change,” conservative strategists es. To remedy this, groups like Democracy the Raleigh, N.C.-based John William The John Locke Foundation, a run — and won. money with speech, Pope and his peers cans gained control of both chambers decided it was time to rethink their Pope Civitas Institute and the North president of the United States and who far-right conservative think-tank, and are more than just wealthy individuals of the state General Assembly. own approach. REDMAP was created Carolina chapter of the national group would control the Congress.” Americans for Prosperity N.C., founded to take control of state legislatures in resolute in their ideals. They’ve emerged “Who gets elected and who makes Officially known as “independent- by Pope, advocate for the repeal of time to steer the redistricting process as trailblazers of the post-Citizens decisions affects all of us,” says Bob expenditure only committees,” super modest legislation promoting clean en- that occurs each decade. Deemed a mas- United political terrain. Hall, the executive director of Democ- PACs are technically prohibited from co- ergy and promote school privatization sive success, not only did Republicans racy North Carolina, a group focused on ordinating with campaigns, and instead among other positions that Kromm says Off to the Races win big in North Carolina, they gained money’s influence in politics. “Too often focus their efforts on electioneering com- “are really outside where the public With the Supreme Court’s majorities in 21 state Houses and Sen- the money in campaigns is a determin- munication for and against candidates. stands on the issues.” landmark ruling in Citizens ates. The GOP gained 680 seats overall ing factor in who gets to win and who The tsunami of television ads unleashed Pope hasn’t backed away from his United, the floodgates in state legislative races, breaking the gets to even run.” by super PACs this year alone is expected critics and publicly maintains that he sup- regulating campaign Democrats’ record of 628 during the Since Citizens United, a new breed to reach $3 billion, making the $2.2 mil- ports first amendment rights to freedom finance were opened. post-Watergate 1974 election and mak- of political action committee, known as lion linked to Pope in 2010 seem like spare of speech, for individuals and corpora- Two months later, the ing 2010 one of the party’s most success- the super PAC, has set the standard for change, and his strategy all the more deft. tions, and seeks only to educate voters on less dramatic Speechnow. ful elections in history. political fundraising. So far during this Although Pope has been politically the issues. Responding to Mayer’s story org v. FEC, the Federal Court When asked if the Democrats year’s presidential primary, $159 mil- active in North Carolina for decades in The National Review, Pope called The of Appeals for the D.C. Cir- would have an answer to REDMAP in lion has been raised by super PACs on — he served four terms in the state New Yorker story “bilge” and an attempt at cuit ruled that the Federal 2012, Mayer said she is “sure the Demo- both sides, most of that coming from a House of Representatives and ran for character assassination, and asked, “What Elections Campaign Act — crats are watching and trying to learn.” small number of wealthy individuals — lieutenant governor in 1992 — many makes me different from George Soros or the same law amended by On Nov. 1, 2011, redrawn maps a troubling precedent to Hall, who says, were exposed to the 55-year-old’s in- George Clooney?” He pointed out — as Citizens United — could not created primarily by the new majority even after policymakers are elected, fluence for the first time by an October he has on numerous occasions — that, restrict individuals’ freedom of in the North Carolina state legislature, they’re constantly looking over their 2011 investigative feature in The New unknown to most who demonize his role speech by limiting the amount that likely would not have been possible shoulder and wondering where the next Yorker. In “State for Sale,” writer Jane in the 2010 election, Democrats in North that an individual can without Pope’s backing, were approved buck will come from. Mayer navigates the web of Pope’s Carolina actually outspent Republicans by the U.S. Department of Justice. Law- influence and the donations during the by more than $3 million. 2010 election cycle that led back to the suits from the NAACP and the N.C. Raleigh, N.C., businessman Art Pope emerged as a key political mogul — 75 percent of all contributions The New Map League of Women voters were filed figure during the 2010 midterm elections. Ever since, he has to far-right candidates. In an NPR inter- Even as the shared policy goals of almost simultaneously, accusing conser- been a lightning rod in the debate of money’s role in politics view, Mayer said that “[Pope] sees this North Carolina’s conservative network vatives of gerrymandering for a decade and the consequences of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United Visit our website at: whole operation as beneficial to voters. and its donating power were raising of partisan advantage. In the fallout, ruling. Illustration by V.C. Rogers, originally appeared in the eyebrows, a project of the Republican several state Democrats — including www.therefugefoscoenc.com Independent Weekly on March 9, 2011. (vcrogers.com) Continued on next page State Legislature Committee, the Redis- Gov. Perdue — and Republicans have Or call 1-800-667-0805 and We’ll Arrange the Fly!!

Page 16 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 17 Efficiency Lobby Energy Efficiency in Appalachia Spans All Sectors 3.0 Changing the SCC’s decision- The Emerging Efficiency Lobby allows a utility to cover its costs, please making process is significant in Virginia its investors and still be indifferent — and according to Greenleaf, the Vir- energy since World War II, 2.5 Diverse Interests Find Common Ground toward the amount of coal or gas that ginia Energy Efficiency Council is just when generals were running goes through its doors. Half of the U.S. getting started. out of gas in North Africa. 2.0 By Molly Moore the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alli- of less than two cents per has programs like this for electricity, gas “We can create jobs in every city More recently, energy efficiency ance and the Appalachian Regional kilowatt hour. “No one is or both. Tennessee, Virginia and North and county in Virginia if we deploy Conversations about blowing up has saved lives in Afghanistan. Commission, the implementation of really in favor of wasting Carolina decouple gas. 1.5 energy efficiency,” he says. Efficiency mountains for easier access to coal or “If you can run your facility off a set of energy efficiency policies in energy,” says Mosher. “The By promoting energy efficiency in upgrades demand local labor, which risking offshore oil spills to boost a cor- of solar [energy], and you can Appalachia could cut energy demand cheapest fuel is the one you utility regulations, states can put more helps keep jobs and taxpayer money poration’s bottom line spark passions in recharge your batteries, and DRILLION BT U 1.0 by 7.3 billion kilowatt hours by 2030 don’t use.” money in the pockets of ratepayers and within state borders. And by reducing a way that those about financing energy your generator uses less fuel — enough energy savings to offset 40 reduce the amount of pollution the QUA homeowner utility bills, efficiency also efficiency retrofits don’t. But wherever The Feds Step In and your truck uses less fuel, then new coal-fired power plants and 182 state generates. 0.5 puts money in residents’ pockets that national energy dialogue goes, talk of In addition to purely market- you have less of a vulnerability to million barrels of oil. The same study will often be spent in-state. energy efficiency and minimizing our driven motives, government can someone blowing up fuel trucks Virginia — Open For anticipated the creation of 77,300 jobs 0.0 “The biggest challenge is trying to energy consumption is sure to follow. encourage efficiency. Federally, trying to get to you,” he says. Energy (Efficiency) Business Commercial Residential Transportation Industrial by 2030 if the region adopted the pro- get the SCC and legislature to see energy Even in the polarized 112th Con- efficiency policies range from tax incen- efficiency strategies developed by the In many ways, Virginia typifies the Buildings Buildings Facilities posed efficiency policies. efficiency as a real resource,” Greenleaf gress, energy efficiency has bipartisan tives and loans for retrofitting buildings Department of Energy and field-tested Southeast’s slow acceptance of energy The rewards of investing in energy says. “Is it more cost effective to spend support. Cutting costs is a dominant to financing that calculates a building’s by the Department of Defense can lead efficiency as a resource. The American efficiency are diverse, and so are its Scenario With E ciency Policy U.S. Energy Information $1 billion on a new power plant or is it theme of the current Congress, as is job efficiency into its mortgage value. to spin-offs in the marketplace. Council for an Energy-Efficient Econ- Packages Administration's proponents. The Alliance to Save En- more effective to spend $1 billion on an creation. Rob Mosher, director of gov- Federal appliance standards are omy’s 2011 state scorecard ranked the prediction of future ergy’s associate organizations include Energizing States 1 Btu (British thermal unit) = 3,412 kilowatt hours energy needs energy-efficiency program? … This year ernment relations at the nonprofit Alli- perhaps the government’s highest- Commonwealth 34th in the nation for commercial heavyweights like AT&T, Given all the federal government the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council ance to Save Energy, says that Congress profile efficiency tool. The poorly un- overall efficiency policies and 41st for energy providers such as Tennessee Val- can do to promote energy efficiency, Graph information courtesy of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance and Appalachian Regional is going to start asking that question.” should be looking for ways to address derstood Energy Information Security utility policies alone. ley Authority, research centers like Oak much is left to the states. Traditionally, Commission’s March 2009 report, “Energy Efficiency in Appalachia” the nation’s present challenges — eco- Act, signed by then-President George Bill Greenleaf, now the execu- Ridge National Laboratory and non- Southeastern states have implemented To learn more about energy efficien- nomic and otherwise — in ways that W. Bush, requires light bulbs to produce tive director of the Richmond Region profits such as Habitat for Humanity. fewer and less aggressive efficiency a trade organization that encourages Dominion Power to earn money on ef- cy bills currently in Congress, view this help financially struggling Americans. more light per watt of electricity used. Energy Alliance, served on Virginia’s Rodney Sobin, senior policy manager policies than the rest of the country — energy conservation. ficiency in addition to new electricity story online at: appvoices.org/thevoice. Efficiency advocates like Mosher The lighting standards do not ban in- 2008 Commission on Climate Change. at ASE, cites the chemical industry as but that may be changing. The coalition’s first challenge was generation. say that nominal investments in par- candescent bulbs or force people to buy While on the Commission, Green- one of the environmental community’s Twenty-four states, including to reform the way the State Corpora- ticular energy efficiency programs compact-fluorescents. But, as the date leaf read an ACEEE report detailing unlikely allies. “It’s not altruism,” Sobin North Carolina and Florida, have tion Commission approved energy result in exponentially larger savings for enforcing the lighting standards Virginia’s energy-efficiency potential says. “I think there are a lot of people Energy-Efficiency Resource Standards. efficiency programs. Because of the for consumers, businesses and govern- drew closer, proponents of limited and realized that increasing efficiency who want to do the right thing, but it’s In states that require utilities to use a commission’s policies, the rapidly ment. Conserving energy, whether it government claimed that the regula- would be a low-cost, effective means to [the chemical industry’s] own interest certain amount of renewable energy, growing software company OPower comes from the sun or a nuclear reac- tions were forcing draconian rules on that energy be used efficiently across to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. — possibly the loudest pro-efficiency tor, benefits society as a whole through Energy-Efficiency Resource Standards ENERGY BILLS SKY HIGH? the marketplace. The Commission recommended that the economy because it affects the cost allow utilities to count increases in business voice in Virginia — couldn’t do enhanced energy security, more con- Mosher and Sobin disagree with Virginia adopt a plan to increase energy of their inputs.” ratepayer energy efficiency toward their business in its home state, even though struction and manufacturing jobs, and the notion that the lighting standards efficiency, but in 2009 state legislators Often, the market encourages renewable energy goals. it worked with over a dozen utilities in WAMY Community Action’s Weatherization Program is a lighter environmental footprint. stifle the free market, and say that the rejected the proposal and its goal of 19 energy efficiency. Tennessee Valley An even more popular route is other states. Although the Southeast still lags be- light bulb rules were crafted with the percent energy savings by 2025. accepting applications for FREE comprehensive energy efficiency Authority, a government-owned util- Property Assessed Clean Energy, a OPower and members of the fledg- hind the rest of the country in realizing lighting industry’s cooperation and “In 2009 there was no trade associa- improvements for your home, including insulation, air sealing, ity that operates in seven states, says financing technique that helps home- ling efficiency council began simulta- its energy efficiency potential, efficiency have spurred innovation and increased tion for the energy efficiency industry,” and a heating system tune-up. Most limited-income households efficiency is the cheapest way to meet owners manage the upfront cost of neously working with legislators and bills have moved forward in several of consumer choice. Still, the backlash has Greenleaf says. “There’s an emerging qualify. Applications are available on our website or by contact- energy demand. TVA delivers its energy-efficiency upgrades by paying lobbyists to change the SCC’s approval the region’s statehouses. made the national conversation about business voice for the energy efficiency ing/visiting one of our 4 WAMY offices in Watauga, Avery, energy efficiency programs at a cost it back incrementally in conjunction process. The SCC had relied on a single According to a 2009 report by energy efficiency more divisive. industry now.” Mitchell, or Yancey counties. with their yearly property taxes. PACE measure, the ratepayer impact test, Possibly the most effective and Greenleaf’s organization is one programs are run through state and lo- to determine whether to approve an least contentious way for the gov- of four regional alliances in the Com- cal governments. Twenty-seven states, energy-efficiency program. But the ernment to influence efficiency is by monwealth that represent business including Virginia, North Carolina, pro-efficiency bill that OPower and the reducing its own power bill. “The contractors in fields such as heating Ohio, Georgia and Florida have PACE Virginia Energy Efficiency Council fa- federal government is the largest en- and air conditioning, insulation and programs. vored would allow the SCC to approve ergy consumer in the U.S.; within the mechanics. Companies like Siemens Efficiency proposals are also more programs that are able to pass three out federal government the Department of and Johnson Controls, which provide likely to pass when a state’s big energy of four cost-benefit tests instead. Defense is the 800-ton gorilla,” Sobin efficiency retrofits and essentially sell utilities are supportive, or at least neu- The bill gained the support of the says, adding that many in the defense energy savings to local governments, tral. One way to eliminate a utility’s governor’s office, passed the General and intelligence communities see en- and Virginia-based energy efficiency incentive to sell more energy is to “de- Assembly and was signed into law ergy as both a threat to and opportu- software company OPower, also have CONTACT WAMY COMMUNITY ACTION FOR MORE INFORMATION: couple,” or separate, a utility’s income this spring. Greenleaf says the fact that nity for maintaining national security. a stake in energy policy. In July 2011, www.wamycommunityaction.org or 828-264-2421 from the amount of energy it sells. That utilities didn’t object helped. Their neu- Sobin says “defense hawks” have these and other businesses formed the trality came from Virginia’s decoupled been concerned about conserving Continued on next page Virginia Energy Efficiency Council, regulation that allows utilities like

Page 18 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 19 Appalachia’s Economic Outlook Creating Opportunities in the Green-Collar Economy n the wake of the economic recession, high unemployment has affected Appalachia more than almost any other part of the country. By Paige Campbell credentials (including certifications in weatherization and energy auditing) to Although the labor force in Appalachia is about same size as in other regions, recovery and job creation are taking longer. In “We meet people where they are.” areas with coal mining, a mono-economy based on the coal industry limits job options and intensifies economic hard- lead a crew himself. I That’s how Sarah Carter describes ship. In non-coal bearing areas, other challenges have added to an atmosphere where it’s already difficult to retain “GO has definitely opened a door the philosophy of Asheville, N.C.’s Green employment. Today in Appalachia, groups and enterprising individuals striving to diversify the region’s economy for me,” says Holloman, adding that the Opportunities, a training institute for the and energy sources are taking steps to build a more prosperous future, helping people overcome the barriers to experience will increase his long-term growing green-collar jobs sector. Just long-term employment and inventing unique ways to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams. earning potential. how substantially that sector is grow- ing is the subject of a Bureau of Labor Building on the Basics Breaking Down Job Barriers pants also attend vehicle maintenance childcare was becoming a huge issue.” Statistics report due for release this year. Other programs in Appalachia of- and budgeting courses. New Beginnings, the agency’s But in communities including Asheville, fer different training models for green By Paige Campbell the masses can get some training and go Denise Leftwich, who oversees daycare, helps low-income families sustainability-driven fields already rep- jobs. In western Virginia, the CREATES Cars for Work and runs trainings in navigate the process of applying for resent a new set of opportunities for job Nearly three-quarters of a million to work.” program (Construction, Retrofitting, and 13 counties, says credit problems can subsidized childcare tuition through seekers. GO, in particular, strives to offer jobs were lost in Appalachia between Early OEI caseworkers encountered Energy-Efficient Assessment Training and By providing introductory training and certifications, groups like Green Opportunities unlock doors make traditional financing impossible. a state-administered federal grant. training to those who might not qualify 2007 and 2009. All but 35 of the region’s a variety of barriers to employment Employment Systems) has put 400 people to long-term employment for participants such as Ed Holloman (above). Photo by Natalie Abbassi Without a loan, “you can’t get a reliable About 70 percent of its clients receive for other programs. 420 counties, as designated by the Ap- among their clients, beyond the prob- through trainings at regional commu- vehicle,” she says. “And in a rural place subsidies. Carter says the program targets Project’s mission, through a collaboration Solar. Gilliam’s work demonstrates a shift palachian Regional Commission, saw lem of fewer jobs. Undiagnosed learn- nity colleges. Funded by the 2009 federal ... it might take 30 minutes just to get “We see child development and participants who face challenges such with the Williamson Redevelopment Au- towards sustainability while providing a negative employment trends during that ing disabilities were common, as were stimulus package, by the end of this year to the end of the hollow. If you can’t early childhood education as critical as being low income, having a criminal thority in an initiative called Sustainable marketable product, and also offers an lowest low of the current recession, and struggles with substance abuse. CREATES will have sent participants back get your kids to daycare and yourself pieces of educating our workforce,” says record, facing homelessness or lacking a Williamson, is to work within existing example to an emerging workforce. the slow crawl back out has been slower “Another big [problem] was trans- to 21 counties with new skills. to work, [you can’t] be self-sufficient.” Bush. “And in terms of economics, you driver’s license. construction, energy and food systems The forthcoming Bureau of Labor Sta- here than across the nation as a whole. portation,” Meade explains. With almost Dale Hedrick enrolled in CREATES Daycare costs, too, can hinder can’t have a stable workforce on a macro As GO’s home performance services industries to tackle those market-level tistics report promises to shed light on the Of course, high unemployment no public transportation in many coun- after deciding to transition away from a financial stability even in communi- level or individual economic stability coordinator, Carter inspects construc- challenges. extent to which examples like Gilliam’s doesn’t mean the total absence of avail- ties, he says, a few agencies offer van career in web development to learn a more ties where jobs exist. In Kentucky, the on a micro level if workers are worried tion projects city-wide to assess energy To illustrate the JOBS Project vision, reflect the green-collar industry’s overall able jobs. In West Virginia, which saw services to certain populations. “But hands-on trade installing solar panels. He Hazard-Perry County Community about where their kids are staying.” efficiency. But she’s also recently taken Mathis points to the experience of Mat- growth. In Appalachian communities that the region’s sharpest decline in employ- even those can’t get into all the nooks began with basic electrical courses and Ministries program has offered child- To receive the reduced rate, low- on her first apprentice, a GO participant thew Gilliam, a third-generation coal have taken green jobs training seriously, it ment rates with a 3.3 percent drop, some and crannies of Southwest Virginia.” completed his training in about two years. care since 1981 as a crucial part of its income families must be employed named Ed Holloman who was so moti- mine electrician who now runs Gilliam could make for a very bright light indeed. employers are still seeking workers. One In 2002, OEI launched a program CREATES helped finance his train- workforce development strategy. or attending school; many are doing vated that he completed every program community college’s job placement board to help low-income people purchase ing and assured his placement in the “When the organization was both, Bush says. “Our mission is to the organization offered and still wanted posts a few new positions each week; affordable vehicles. The Cars for Work courses required for certification; it also founded, they wanted to focus on two serve people who are struggling to to learn more. In Logan County alone, employers are program now partners with Vehicles for connected him to a regional trade show, things,” says Adrienne Bush, interim get ahead,” she adds. “We believe that When Holloman first learned about seeking truck drivers, home health aides, Change, a Baltimore agency that distrib- which helped hone his business plan. executive director. “First, basic crisis they deserve just as high quality care Green Opportunities’ trainings, he saw an warehouse loaders and receptionists. utes donated cars and helps coordinate Now Hedrick runs his own business, Blue the low-interest, 12-month loans that assistance for families who were hun- as those who can afford to pay for it.” opportunity to take serious steps toward a The existence of such jobs, even in Ridge Solar. “It gave me the experience enable participants to purchase their gry or just needed help. But they also rewarding profession after time in prison small numbers and offering compara- of … actually testing the marketability of cars, tags and warranties. The partici- quickly realized that lack of eliminated his hope of becoming a teacher. tively low wages — over half of what I want to do and adjust my plan.” Holloman thrived as a member of the those positions pay $10 an hour A “spoiled” Still, short-term, grant-funded train- chicken in Scott Training Team, GO’s flagship program, or less — may perpetuate the ing works best “when there is a vibrant County, Va., takes which guides a small crew of young “pull-yourself-up-from-your- Chickens, Internet & Entrepreneurs a drink of clean market for that workforce to go out into,” By Willie Davis come small farm problems. water from the adults through training in sustainable and many Appalachian communities lack bootstraps” sentiment shared Avian Aqua Miser. construction. He completed further GO such a market, says Eric Mathis of Wil- by many opponents of public The chickens on Mark Hamilton and Like many small farmers, Ham- Photo courtesy of Appalshop training programs and soon earned the liamson, W.Va.’s JOBS Project. The JOBS investment in job creation. But Anna Hess’ farm in Scott County, Va., don’t ilton and Hess had a problem leav- what sort of bootstrap does a fear humans. “We’ve spoiled them,” Hess ing out water for their chickens. low-wage job offer the average Leave too much water and it be- says. Not long after they first bought their Chickens, Internet & Entrepreneurs Continued from previous page person in a region plagued by 58-acre farm, a friend gave them chickens. comes dirty and unsanitary, leave long-term economic distress? What followed — thanks to innovative too little and they can practically around the country and overseas. Access the farm, Appalachia or both. “The people And what happens when physi- thinking and high-speed internet access — never leave the farm because they to high-speed internet also enabled Hess who leave the mountains, they still think cally getting to such a job is is an invention that has sold worldwide and have to constantly replace the water. and Hamilton to start their business with it’s paradise, but they don’t think there its own hurdle? These are the is a model for rural economic development. Hamilton creatively solved this just five hundred dollars. are any jobs or opportunities.” dilemma with an invention he calls By selling their ideas online, “We were questions that Occupational Scott County was once a hub for big Hess and Hamilton hope to act as With innovative ideas, and the right the Avian Aqua Miser, a nipple on a plastic able to pay ourselves a living wage, not Enterprises, Inc. of Lebanon, Va., tobacco farms, and its location — nestled models for Appalachian youths who have tools in place, maybe local residents container that allows chickens to drink the just minimum wage. That’s hard for a lot an organization working to help between two coal-rich areas — provided good ideas but few resources and think won’t have to separate their paradise water only as they need it, a drop at a time. of people around here to do.” Southwest Virginians become an opportunity for residents to work in the they have to leave home to be success- from their daily bread. Because the Scott County Telephone self-sufficient, is tackling. mines. Once the income from the tobacco They knew they had a winning idea, ful. Their invention has offered them the Editor’s note: A longer version of this ar- Cooperative provides high-speed internet “There are jobs here and industry and the coal companies dried up, but the problem was selling it. Hess saw economic freedom to devote their time ticle was originally published in June 2011 access to the Hamilton/Hess farm, they there,” says OEI’s Doug Meade. however, the county suffered. Filling the the time needed to set up and staff a farm- to what they really love — their farm. by WMMT/Making Connections News have been able to sell the Avian Aqua Miser “But what we’re missing are void these tobacco farms left are small, ers market booth as a hindrance. “But the “We think it’s paradise here,” Hess says, and is available online at: makingconnec- manufacturing jobs, jobs where self-sustaining farms. But with small farms internet is at the booth all day,” she says. Continued on next page waving her arm around to indicate either tionsnews.org.

Page 20 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 21 The COAL REPORT News from Appalachia and Beyond The COAL REPORT News from Appalachia and Beyond State Legislature Kills Mountaintop Removal Ban Through Delays D.C. District Court Overrules EPA’s Spruce Mine No. 1 Permit Veto By Molly Moore taintop removal was heard by a full mittee then delayed a vote on the bill by 2008 by delaying. If we don’t vote this By Brian Sewell of Engineers permit is valid makes under the law to protect water quality permit will again be revoked, and are legislative chamber in a state with ac- sending it to a summer study session. year, we will lose more mountains.” Arch’s Spruce Mine, which would and safeguard the people who rely on concerned about the ruling’s possible The Scenic Vistas Protection Act, a On March 23, a District of Columbia tive mountaintop removal mining. The Rep. Richard Floyd, who proposed the Prominent Tennesseans, such as span 2,278 acres, the largest permitted clean water.” significance for future mountaintop bill to end mountaintop removal coal District Court ruled in favor of Arch bill would have protected Tennessee’s motion, said the summer session would former Knoxville mayor Victor Ashe mountaintop removal mine in West The ruling sets a precedent restrict- removal mines. mining in Tennessee, was killed by a Coal and overturned a 2011 veto by the virgin ridgelines above 2,000 feet from give the subcommittee more time and Rev. Gradye Parsons, the highest Virginia history. ing the authority of the EPA under The ruling came a month after the state House subcommittee after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the destructive mining practice. to study the issue. The Scenic Vistas elected official in the General Assembly The EPA first vetoed the Spruce Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lifted a bill was heard by the state’s Senate this restoring the permit of the Logan Coun- The state Senate delayed an up-or- Protection Act, active in the Tennessee of the Presbyterian Church (USA), sup- Mine permit in January 2011 largely be- represents a victory for the coal indus- suspension on a streamlined permitting March. ty, W.Va., Spruce No. 1 mountaintop down vote on the bill, which sent the bill legislature for the past five years, also ported the legislation. cause the permit allowed coal operators try and politicians who have accused process for surface mines known as Na- The Tennessee hearing marked removal mine. U.S. District Judge Amy to a House subcommittee. That subcom- languished in summer study in 2011, An editorial in one of the state’s to bury seven miles of streams. At the the current administration of waging tionwide Permit 21. Under Section 404 the first time that a bill to ban moun- Berman Jackson ruled that the EPA had time, the agency said the mine would a war on coal by delaying or denying of the Clean Water Act, the revised NWP with no action and no result. primary newspapers, The Tennessean, overstepped its authority by revoking “jeopardize the health of Appalachian mountaintop removal permits. Envi- 21 places restrictions on valley fills as- Rep. Mike McDonald, the bill’s stated, “Whoever votes “no” to passage a permit already granted by the U.S. communities and clean water on which ronmental groups are urging the EPA sociated with mountaintop removal to Private Property Rights Transferred to Coal Industry House sponsor, told the subcommittee, of HB 0291/SB 0577 will be on record as Army Corps of Engineers. “We have lost eight mountains since supporting this wanton destruction.” they depend … We have responsibility to appeal the decision in hopes that the half an acre and 300 linear feet. A bill that transfers property rights bill says that, in some cases, companies The ruling that the original Corps to empty underground mine chambers must get landowners’ consent. But the from private landowners to coal com- bill also says, “such consent shall not Fly Ash Lawsuit Refiled OSM/BLM Merger EPA Issues Long-awaited Rules on Greenhouse Gas Emissions panies was signed by Virginia Governor be unreasonably withheld if the owner By Brian Sewell that have been permitted or are currently ODEC that makes construction unlikely. requirements are likely to become law Bob McDonnell in April. The bill allows has been offered reasonable compen- Against Dominion Moves Ahead On March 12, the U.S. Department of under construction will be exempt from Although there are currently no before the end of the year. The EPA is Virginia Power After several years of planning and companies to dispose of toxic waste in sation for such use.” This provision Interior announced it would move forward More than 400 residents near the the rule. However, if utilities build new laws limiting the amount of carbon expected to announce a separate rule these chambers against the property would leave it up to the courts to decide with the consolidation of the Office of public comment, the U.S. Environmental Battlefield Golf Club in Chesapeake, Va., plants once the rule goes into effect, it pollution power plants can emit, the after the presidential election that will Surface Mining into the Bureau of Land Protection Agency released the first-ever owners’ wishes, even if the waste would whether a landowner who refused to refiled a lawsuit this February asking for Management. Proponents say the move will cost significantly more and possibly agency has determined that emissions apply to existing coal plants, which are endanger the quality of a property allow waste disposal on his or her land $2 billion in damages related to water proposed rules regulating carbon pollu- will generate savings, while critics say require carbon capture and sequestration threaten human health and contribute responsible for nearly 40 percent of the contamination from the coal ash on which tion from power plants on March 27. The owner’s drinking water. for a fee was being unreasonable. OSM needs to remain an independent the course was built. The Virginian-Pilot technology. Anticipating this shift, the to global climate change. The new country’s carbon emissions. A hastily written amendment to the agency to be effective. rule is the result of a 2007 U.S. Supreme reported that court records show well- U.S. Energy Information Administration Court ruling that gave the EPA authority water testing with elevated levels of toxic forecasts that no new conventional coal Alpha Named Most to regulate greenhouse gases under the substances — including lead, vanadium, plants will come online after 2012. cobalt and cadmium. Controversial Mining Clean Air Act. Company The proposal will require new power While the rule will not affect permit- Coal Plant Shutdowns Alpha Natural Resources took the plants to limit their carbon dioxide emis- ted plants, it could derail some projects top spot recently when RepRisk, a firm “What a great magazine!” GenOn Energy will shut down seven sions to 1,000 pounds per megawatt-hour that have not been approved. In Surry coal-fired power plants in Pennsylvania specializing in environmental and social County, Va., Old Dominion Electric “I discovered your and Ohio after a U.S. Environmental Pro- risk, released a report ranking the world’s of electricity generated; some plants op- Cooperative had originally received zon- tection Agency ruling forced the utility to most controversial mining companies. The erating today produce as much as 1,800 magazine while visiting greatly reduce the plants’ sulfur dioxide report was released just days after Alpha pounds per megawatt-hour. To be in com- ing permission from the Dendron town and found it to be emissions. In Chicago, Midwest Genera- Chairman Michael J. Quillen announced council and planned to break ground pliance, any new coal-fired plants would uplifting and delightful! tion agreed to shut down its two plants in he was stepping down. on a 1,500-megawatt coal-fired plant exchange for community groups dropping be required to use carbon capture and I plan on moving to your Penn Students Pass storage technology. Natural gas plants this year. But aggressive community lawsuits against the company. area and am thrilled to Resolution Against would not need any additional pollution organizing that disputed the zoning Coal’s Share of U.S. succeeded in delaying the permitting stay in touch through Mountaintop Removal controls to meet the requirement. process, pushing the proposed plant into Electricity Generation The University of Pennsylvania Un- The rule will apply only to coal-fired your magnificent Falls to 35-Year Low dergraduate Assembly passed a resolu- power plants that will not begin construc- qualifying for the EPA’s new regulations magazine online.” tion on Feb. 21, urging the university to Competition from natural gas and tion in the next 12 months. Power plants and creating an economic liability for mild weather contributed to a 35-year reevaluate its relationship with longtime —Best, low in the share of U.S. power generated partner and coal supporter PNC Bank. Karen from California from coal. Although coal still generates the The resolution by the Penn Community whose parents live in largest share of electricity in the country, Against Mountaintop Removal, passed Vilas, NC its share of monthly power generation with a vote of 20-4. • Delicious Deli-Style dropped below 40 percent in November and December, 2011, according to the UBB Mine Manager Sandwiches U.S. Department of Energy. Charged Massey mine superintendent Carl • Homemade Soups Premium Coal Fined May was charged with conspiracy in For New River Damage February for violating mine safety laws in In response to a Jan. 1 coal slurry the 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners • Vegetarian Fare 828-737-0771 spill into Tennessee’s New River, the state at the Upper Big Branch facility in Raleigh PO Box 976, Linville, NC 28646 Department of Environment and Conser- County, W.Va. Federal prosecutors allege • and Much More! At stores & businesses almost everywhere in the High Country ... and online at vation has levied a fine of up to $196,000 that May and others knowingly put coal CarolinaMountainLifeMagazine.com against Premium Coal. The company has production ahead of worker safety on [email protected] until April 21 to appeal the fine. numerous occasions. 240 Shadowline Drive, Boone, North Carolina (828) 262-1250 • www.Peppers-Restaurant.com Page 22 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 23 Editorial This GREEN House Too Big to Fail, But Not to Change Bark Houses: Built With Nature’s Shingles When “pink slime” hit the headlines in March, Americans were rightfully disgusted. The thought of By Nan Chase that suppliers guarantee that they use being poisoned for profit by beef-product filler treated bark only from managed forestlands, with ammonia sparked national outrage. Grocery stores Four years after completion, the rus- with certification from such organiza- and even mega-fast food restaurants such as McDonalds tic bungalow near downtown Asheville, and Taco Bell were quick to publicly shun the slimy N.C., is a local landmark. Covered in tions as the Forest Stewardship Council, substance. Over the course of just a few days, and a lot big overlapping shingles of tree bark — the Sustainable Forestry Initiative or the of bad publicity pointed at the beef industry, business rather than the usual wood, brick or stone American Tree Farm System. Buyers practices radically changed. — it looks odd, a bit like a square tree. should also use builders who have been However, there are even more toxic industries that Although the unusual house appears trained in bark installation. are continuing business as usual. The fossil fuel interests antique and rooted in the past, it was “It’s not rocket science to put it on,” and the financial institutions that help fund them don’t built only in 2008. Bark may look old- explains builder Daniel Hemp, “but need our consent to poison our bodies and contribute to fashioned, but as a recently rediscovered you have to learn how to do it right.” the growing curse of climate change. They don’t respond and re-engineered building material, it My own interest in building a to scrutiny the way Taco Bell might either. They don’t fits the profile of a modern, environmen- bark house came while I was helping need to — they’re the most profitable entities on Earth. tally sustainable choice for new construc- to write a book on the subject, “Bark Names like J.P. Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs tion — residential or commercial. House Style: Sustainable Designs From and Bank of America might not have the negative con- The shingles are crafted from pop- Nature,” with Chris McCurry. By the notations that Massey Energy or Exxon Mobil bring time Saul and I had the the opportunity lar bark that is salvaged from timber Writer Nan Chase and her husband have found that the cost of heating their bark-clad, two-story to mind, but in some ways they’re one and the same. Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey recently helped kill a bipartisan bill in the Tennessee state senate that would have banned mountaintop operations, and otherwise would be house is surprisingly low. Although the house has southeastern exposure, they seldom use air to build on a vacant lot in Asheville, Without these financial institutions mobilizing capital removal coal mining in the state. Ramsey received more than $195,000 in contributions from coal interests during his 2010 campaign. burned, mulched or left to rot. Bark conditioning because the thick bark – in conjunction with covered porches and indoor ceiling fans – the research had convinced me that funding for electric utilities and fossil fuel companies, shingles contain no chemicals, and are usually keeps the temperature well below 80 degrees. Photos by Nan Chase there was no other material so tough multi-billion dollar power plants would never be built. or interesting for the price. processed solely with sanitizing kiln appearance of a neatly squared bark mons, manager of green programs and The “too big to fail” institutions operate under the Viewpoint Each shingle is unique, with lovely heat. Bark’s insulating heft keeps util- building shingle — from American sustainable product sales at Mountain guise of corporate responsibility. J.P. Morgan Chase, patterns and bits of moss and lichen. ity bills low, bark requires no paint or chestnut trees — dates back to 1895 in Lumber Company in Banner Elk, N.C. the largest investor in coal-fired electricity, claims on its Occasionally a squirrel pops its head stain, and shingles can last 75 years or the Southern Appalachian Mountains. “But if you spread it over many years, website that they are “Helping the world transition to a Rebuilding The American Dream over the porch railing, looking for more without maintenance. Architect Henry Bacon invented the the increase is less than one percent low-carbon economy.” Bank of America, the third-largest nuts on this curious “tree.” Blogging Excerpts from “Rebuild the class nation. Too many of our big take smart policy, better business I’ve learned all this because that style in Linville, N.C., where he used for the whole cost of the house. It’s investor, hypocritically acknowledges that “The most rumors to the contrary, these houses do formidable challenge we face is global climate change.” Dream” by Van Jones banks and largest corporations practices, and community-driven Asheville house is mine. What began hand-trimmed slabs of two-inch-thick a minimal up-charge for something not attract woodpeckers searching for Both the financial and fossil fuel industries continue are behaving in a manner that is innovation, but we still have the simply as a way for my husband, Saul, chestnut bark to cover homes. Some of maintenance-free.” The time has come to turn bugs. Kiln-drying kills any insects and to victimize Americans. One fraudulently forecloses on both irresponsible and unpatri- power to reclaim, reinvent, and and me to have a house that never those summer homes are still occupied When buying bark shingles, con- things right side up again and the sugary layer insects may inhabit in families and even got off scot-free after creating a global otic. Their conduct makes it that renew the American Dream. . . . needs painting has grown into a living today, the exteriors still untreated. sumers need to make sure they’re declare that America’s honest, living trees. financial crisis in a futile attempt to satisfy its insatiable much worse for the many patriotic America is still the best idea in laboratory experiment. When the chestnut blight wiped getting a product that lives up to its po- hard-working middle class is The bark house sparked a mini- greed. The other enjoys unnecessary subsidies in times and responsible businesses — es- the world. The American middle Although bark-covered struc- out the main source of bark in the early tential. Practice has shown that bark’s too big to fail. The aspirations of building boom around us. Saul and I of record profit while polluting the air and water. These pecially small businesses — that class is still her greatest inven- tures date back millennia, the first 20th century, bark houses were longevity depends on three things: how our low-income, struggling, and have bought a second vacant lot and corporations and their political allies support cuts to follow the rules and provide good tion. This book is dedicated to the no longer built. But in the past well it’s dried by the manufacturer to marginalized communities are hope to build another bark house. essential social programs but complain that closing tax jobs to their employees. . . . proposition that—with the right two decades, bark shingles have kill any microorganisms and stabilize too big and important to fail. The Editor’s note: An earlier version of loopholes is “socialism” and “un-American.” There is reason for hope. The strategy and a little bit of luck—the made a comeback, now almost the product, how well it’s stored before hopes of our children are too big this article ran in the Christian Science The bottom line is that, while the financial and United States remains a rich na- movement of the 99% can preserve exclusively in poplar. installation and how well it’s installed. to fail. The American Dream itself Monitor in 2009. energy sectors are essential to a functioning economy, and strengthen them both. is too big to fail. tion—the wealthiest and most “It’s fantastic, it’s local, it’s Consumers should make certain they’ve irresponsibly wielded the power we’ve given And we are not going to let inventive in the history of the durable, it’s cool,” says Matt them by believing that we work for them, not the other world. Global competition and “Rebuild the Dream” (Nation Books, Siegel, green building director at way around. these things fail. technological advances pose chal- 2012) is the latest book by Van Jones, the Western North Carolina Green Whether it’s “pink slime,” the financial crash of Of course, it will not be easy to lenges for American workers, but a former Obama White House advisor Building Council in Asheville. 2008, the BP oil spill of 2010 or the ongoing destruction stop the dream killers. Tax policy we should always remember that and member of Appalachian Voices’ But he cites the shingles’ price as of Appalachia by mountaintop removal, millions are that burdens working families and the proverbial pie is bigger than advisory board. In it, Jones shares a possible deterrent to increased voicing their disgust at the lack of corporate responsi- gives the biggest breaks to the su- ever today—and still growing. As his journey from grassroots outsider use and says that installation bility, accountability and foresight. Yet somehow, in a per-rich has helped to keep more a nation, we are getting richer; our to White House insider and proposes takes more time. Bark shingles severe case of cognitive dissonance, energy giants and and more of our national wealth GDP is still greater than it has ever ways to get the U.S. economy work- can cost twice as much as con- the monoliths of Wall Street think that less government locked in the private safes of the been. The problem is not that the ing for everyday citizens. Published oversight and “self-regulation” is the solution. top one percent. This alarming ventional cedar siding, but the pie is shrinking; it is that working in April 2012, the book is on The In our society’s hunger for endless economic economic polarization, combined upfront costs even out over time, New York Times bestseller list and growth, we’re beginning to forget who we really work with the constant flow of good- families are taking home smaller experts say. is available at Rebuildthedream.com for — future generations and their inalienable right to paying jobs overseas, threatens slices of it, as wealth and income “Twice the cost upfront and bookstores nationwide. every opportunity afforded to us. to end our status as a middle are concentrated upward. It will sounds like a lot,” says Brent Sim-

Page 24 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 25 INSIDE APPALACHIAN VOICES About Our Program Work INSIDE APPALACHIAN VOICES About Our Program Work Appalachian Voices is committed to Appalachian Voices Celebrates 15 Years — And You’re Invited! Kicking Coal Ash in Carolina the dangers, coal ash is treated as no more toxic than protecting the land, air and water regular household garbage and the U.S. Environ- of the central and southern Join us on Sat., June 21 for Artists for Appalachia Moore, Clara Bingham and Bill Haney, producer and to kick off another 15 years Over the past months, Appalachian Voices and our mental Protection Agency has delayed enacting any Appalachian region. Our mission is — a celebration of our 15th anniversary, our annual director of the award winning film “The Last Moun- of protecting the region we Red, White and Water campaign have continued the guidance on the substance. to empower people to defend our membership meeting and a special fundraising event. tain,” and local Charlottesville folk band favorites, all love. fight against toxic coal ash in North Carolina. To combat the EPA’s delays, Earthjustice, on region’s rich natural and cultural The venue for the evening will be the renowned The Honey Dewdrops. Tickets to Artists In Charlotte, Appalachian Voices teamed up with behalf of Appalachian Voices and other groups, is heritage by providing them with Jefferson Theater in in Charlottesville, Va. Artists for The event is free for current Appalachian Voices for Appalachia are lim- the local Greenpeace chapter to host a coal ash tour, led tools and strategies for successful proceeding with a lawsuit against the agency to force Appalachia will include traditional mountain music, members. New and renewing members can join for ited, so be sure to RSVP online or call our office today! by award-winning reporter Rhiannon Fionn, who has grassroots campaigns. the release of long-awaited public health safeguards readings and revelry as we come together to celebrate as little as $35 and receive a ticket to the event and a Visit appvoices.org/ArtistsForAppalachia to covered issues related to Duke Energy’s Riverbend coal against toxic coal ash. According to the Resource Con- our past and present work to protect the air, water, membership. Reserved seating is available for an extra reserve your seats and to become a member. Can’t plant. Over 50 people attended the event. servation and Recovery Act, which is meant to protect Organizational Staff land and people of Appalachia and to raise funds to $15 donation, and VIP seating is available but limited attend but want to help our work? Visit appvoices. More than 200 residents from Asheville and sur- human health and the environment from the potential continue our work for years to come. and expected to go quickly — call our Charlottesville org/Donate today. rounding areas came out to support that message at Executive Director...... Willa Mays hazards of waste disposal, the EPA is required to review Director of Programs...... Matt Wasson Special guests will include Robert F. Kennedy, office at (434) 293-6373 for details. our “Clean Water Not Coal Ash” rally on March 22 at and revise RCRA regulations at least every three years. Deputy Program Director / Va Director...... Tom Cormons Jr., Kathy Mattea, Michael Johnathon, Daniel Martin We look forward to seeing you in Charlottesville Lake Julian Park in Arden, N.C. Held in conjunction To learn more and to sign a petition asking for pro- Campaign Director...... Lenny Kohm with the nineteenth annual World Water Day, the event tection from the dangers of coal ash in North Carolina, was co-sponsored by Appalachian Voices, the Western OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT visit: appvoices.org/nc-cant-wait. Operations Manager...... Susan Congelosi these hearings have included heated North Carolina Alliance and other organizations to call Appalachian Voices Moves to New Headquarters Administrative Associate...... Shay Boyd verbal onslaughts against administra- attention to the threat posed by coal ash to drinking Director of Leadership Gifts ...... Kayti Wingfield If you ever visited our office at 191 How- tors from the EPA and the Office of water and the nation’s rivers. ard Street in downtown Boone, N.C., you Surface Mining. Attendees listened to educational speakers includ- PROGRAMS knew how “cozily” we worked together in ing French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson, Richard Washington, D.C. Director ...... Kate Rooth Appalachian National Field Organizer ...... Kate Finneran a small open space with no windows and Fireman of N.C. Interfaith Power and Light, Terry Clark Legislative Associate ...... Thom Kay no individual offices. To accommodate our Treasures Tour of Physicians for Social Responsibility and affected com- Tennessee Director ...... J.W. Randolph growing family of staff, interns and volun- “On the Road” munity members like Donna Keiser discuss the negative North Carolina Campaign Coordinator...... Sandra Diaz The Appalachian Treasures tour teers, Appalachian Voices recently moved effects of the coal cycle in their communities and what Virginia Campaign Coordinator...... Mike McCoy is out West this spring! Lenny Kohm, the Boone headquarters to a new home it is like to live near coal ash ponds. Water Quality Specialist ...... Eric Chance Appalachian Voices’ campaign director, Water Quality Specialist ...... Erin Savage at 171 Grand Boulevard. Located in an old In January, North Carolina’s Department of Envi- has been on the road in New Mexico, Georgian-style house-turned-office-space Technology & Communications Nevada, Arizona and California speak- ronment and Natural Resources confirmed that coal ash in downtown Boone, the building has lots Technologist...... Benji Burrell ing about mountaintop removal coal ponds in North Carolina are leaching toxic heavy metals of windows, separate offices for each team IT Specialist...... Jeff Deal mining and its effects on communities in into groundwater. Despite the mounting evidence of Photo Credit: Western North Carolina Alliance and is also shared with two excellent non- Communications Coordinator...... Jamie Goodman Appalachia. In the Los Angeles area, he Americorps Communications Outreach...... Brian Sewell profit organizations, Blue Ridge Women in was joined by Beverly Walkup of Fayette Americorps Public Outreach & Education...... Molly Moore Agriculture and Legal Aid of North Carolina. Continued from previous page and Floyd counties in County, W.Va. This month, our Washing- Graphic Designer...... Meghan Darst We are super excited about our new space, ton, D.C. Program Director Kate Rooth is Kara Dodson, a familiar face for many of our volunteers, March, giving our team Communications & Development Associate.....Maeve Gould and hope you stop by if you’re in the area! headed to Washington state with Amber will return this summer to run trainings and provide on-the- an opportunity to see INTERNS Whittington of Ameagle, W.Va. to share ground support in Kentucky and Virginia. Pallavi Podaparti, a the good and the bad in Red, White & Water Sr. Campaign Assistant..Amber Smith our passionate views on mountaintop long-time KFTC member, will also be joining the Appalachian Kentucky streams. Red, White & Water Assistant ...... Jordan Wise Protecting The Volunteer Scenic Vistas Protection Act in the state’s Dr. Wasson, I Presume removal with audiences in Seattle, Bell- Water Watch team for the season to help with our growing In Harlan County, Red, White & Water Assistant ...... Patrick Cavanaugh Senate and House. The bill, which would In the latest round of congressional at- ingham, Olympia and the Olympic Peninsula. demand for trainings and volunteer support. the communities of State’s Scenic Vistas Virginia Campaign Assistant ...... Stacy Casey ban mountaintop removal coal mining in the tacks on mountaintop removal coal mining For upcoming tour dates please check out If you know a group that would be interested in taking Benham and Lynch are J.W. Randolph, director of Appalachian Water Program Assistant ...... Jillian Kenny state, reached the Senate floor before it was working hard to protect Voices’ Tennessee office, has been working regulations, Appalachian Voices’ Director our schedule at: appvoices.org/apptreasures. part in the citizen water monitoring program, please contact Legislative Intern ...... Ce Garrison sent back to committee — unprecedented in their streams and city up a storm in sunny Tennessee, helping of Programs Dr. Matt Wasson was called to [email protected]. Editorial Communications Assistant ...... Madison Hinshaw any state with active mountaintop removal other coalitions and State Senator Eric Stew- testify on a panel examining the effect of the Citizen Water Monitoring water from harm caused coal mining. Read all about the Scenic Vistas art promote movement on the Tennessee Office of Surface Mining’s mountaintop re- Season Begins A Kentucky Water Check-Up by proposed surface Protection Act on page 22. mines. By monitoring Board of Directors moval regulations on jobs and the economy The Appalachian Water Watch citizen Appalachian Water Watch met with members of Ken- water quality before the in Appalachia. monitoring program is gearing up for more tuckians for the Commonwealth throughout Harlan, Letcher, Photo Credit: KFTC Chair ------Christina Howe Dr. Wasson refuted claims by coal- stream monitoring, citizen trainings and an mines begin work, the Vice Chair ------Heidi Binko friendly representatives that surface mining expanding program. Our first training of existing high water qual- Secretary ------Cale Jaffe AppalachianVoices regulations are “job killers” by providing the year will be hosted by Kentuckians for Appalachian Voices ity is documented. Treasurer ------Bunk Spann government data showing that Appalachian the Commonwealth on May 12 as part of The proposed mines are owned by Nally & Hamilton and Members-At-Large would like to send Business League mining jobs have actually increased by 10 a larger KFTC meeting on ways to protect A&G Coal Corp. Both companies have dubious environmental Clara Bingham Rick Phelps out a huge THANK YOU to Renewing Memb percent since the U.S. Environmental Protec- Kentucky’s water. and safety records, and Nally & Hamilton is the defendant in Rev. Jim Deming Kathy Selvage New & ers — Feb 2012 / March 2012 Mast General Store and Patagonia Dot Griffith Brenda Sigmon tion Agency enacted regulatory guidance on We are working with other organizations one of Appalachian Voices’ ongoing Clean Water Act cases. for their incredible generosity Mary Anne Hitt Lauren Waterworth mountaintop removal coal mining in 2010. In in The Alliance for Appalachia on a joint In Floyd County, we were alerted to acid mine drainage Morris West, Inc,, Greensboro, NC over the years. Help us support them. Silas House Willa Mays (Ex-officio) 2011, Appalachian coal mining employment clean water protection effort by increasing outside Prestonsburg. Samples taken from the site indicate Landra Lewis Mast General Store, Valle Crucis, NC an iron level of 183 milligrams per liter – more than 45 times reached its highest level in 15 years. participation, expanding to new locations, Shop Mast! Buy Patagonia! Advisory Council Earth Fare, Boone, NC Congress has held a number of hear- improving the public database and increas- the amount Kentucky allows active mines to discharge. KFTC Jonathan C. Allen Randy Hayes ings addressing the current administration’s ing equipment availability. staff met with the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources Jessica Barbara Brown Liz Riddick To become a business member visit AppalachianVoices.org or call us at 877-APP-VOICE agency oversight of surface coal mining; Continued on next page and will continue to monitor the site. Alfred Glover Van Jones

Page 26 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012 April/May 2012 | The Appalachian Voice | Page 27 Non-Profit Organization The Appalachian Voice US Postage Paid 171 Grand Boulevard Permit No. 294 Boone, NC 28607 Boone, NC www.appalachianvoices.org

“Bertha’s Love” Finalist, Culture Photographer: Clayton Joe Young

Spring means lambing season in Appalachia, and many farmers are awake into the wee hours tending to their flocks as the young are born. Photographer Clayton Joe Young’s touching portrait of “Bertha’s Love” is one of 49 finalists in the 2011 Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition, currently on exhibit in Boone, N.C. See more images from the competition on pages 10-11. GET INVOLVED environmental & cultural events in the region Earth Day Red Spruce Planting Green Walk for Jobs and Justice derness areas. Participants must bring all Email [email protected] to be included in our camping gear. Cherokee National Forest, April 21-22, 10 a.m.: Join the WV Highlands Con- April 30-May 16: Join the Earth Quaker Action Get Involved listing. Deadline for the next issue servancy to plant red spruce trees at the Canaan Team in a 16-day, 200-mile walk from Philadelphia Tenn. Visit: tnwild.org will be Monday, May 15, at 5 p.m. for events taking Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Dress for the to PNC Bank’s headquarters in Pittsburgh to get Music of the Coal Fields place between June 10 and August 5, 2012. weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring PNC out of the business of mountaintop removal May 7: Traditional musicians Tom and water. Lunch provided. Email: marquette_crock- coal mining. Or join in Pittsburgh May 16 for a Michelle Warner present a concert of Appa- [email protected] day of action. Visit: greenPNC.org lachian music of the coalfields as part of the Heartwood Music Festival Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Sierra Club No Nukes 2012 Coal Heritage Public Lecture Series. Free. May 17-20: Enjoy live music, dancers, art, camp April 25-28: Annual event at Great Smoky Moun- Activist Summit Beckley, W. Va. Email: [email protected] along the stream and eat some jambalaya while tains National Park features educational walks, May 4-6: Sierra Club Chapters and activists raising funds for the Heartwood network. Tickets Central Appalachian Women’s $10, $15 with camping pass. Children under 12 motorcades, art classes and seminars. Gatlinburg, invite Club members to gather in Washington, Tribunal on Climate Justice Tenn. Visit: springwildflowerpilgrimage.org D.C., to develop a strategic plan for the Club’s are free. S. Pittsburg, Tenn. Visit: heartwoodbat- May 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Expose the impacts of tleofthebandsandfest.com anti-nuclear work and create a national network. mountaintop removal at the Charleston Women’s Merlefest 2012 Mountain Justice Visit: sierraclub.org Club in Charleston, W. Va. Findings from this April 26-29: An international bluegrass festival Summer Action Camp established in memory of Eddy Merle Watson Tribunal will be presented in June at Rio+20 U.N. The Critter Crawl May 18-26: A weeklong program teaching the ef- to support Wilkes Community College and cel- May 5, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: This 5k race starts Conference on Sustainable Development. $20, fects of mountaintop removal through workshops, ebrate “traditional plus” music. This year’s lineup in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grand- scholarships available, registration ends May 3. entertainment, sustainable living techniques and includes Doc Watson, Allison Krauss, Los Lobos father Mountain. Proceeds benefit the Mountain’s Visit: ohvec.org action. Registration $150, includes meals and sleep- and more. Visit: merlefest.org eagle habitat renovation fund. Online registration Grandfather Mountain ing quarters. Appalachian South Folklife Center near began March 1 with 500 spaces. $30/ participant. 5th Annual Early Bird Naturalist Weekend Pipestem, W.Va. Visit: mountainjustice.org Visit: grandfather.com May 11-13: A weekend of programs and guided Wildflower Walk & Plant Sale Mountain Safari April 28, 8 a.m. to noon: Vendors will sell na- walks for those who would like to explore the Full Moon Backpack in Tennessee May 31, 6-9 p.m.: Join the Friends of the WNC tive plants in the parking lot and events will be May 5-6: Join Tennessee Wild for a four mile diversity of life at Grandfather Mountain. All pro- Nature Center in your safari gear for a one- scheduled in the Daniel Boone Native Gardens. hike and full moon camp out at Bob Stratton grams included in admission prices to the park. of-a-kind safari adventure with the animals. Boone, N.C. Visit: danielboonenativegardens.org Bald. Optional night hike up to The Hangover Call 800-468-7325 Advance tickets $45 for non-members and $40 overlooking Citico Creek and Joyce Kilmer wil- The 28th Exchange Place 43rd Annual Appalachian Festival for members, $50 at the door. Asheville, N.C. Visit: wildwnc.org Spring Garden Fair May 11-13: Join Kentuckians for Environmental Summer Camps 2012 April 28-29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Plant the Commonwealth, Ohio Citizen National Trails Day Spring is here and that means it’s almost time for summer sale features natives, herbs, perennials Action and Food & Water Watch June 3, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Early morning kids camp fun! From the coast of North Carolina to the moun- and heirlooms, garden accessories and at Coney Island amusement park fishing rodeo is followed by chance to participate tains of West Virginia, there are camps tailored to young related crafts. Fair also features garden nature lovers. We’ve compiled a list of summer camps to in Cincinnati, Ohio to raise aware- in trail maintenance and guided hikes. $5 park- talks, children’s activities, music, tradi- get your kids outside, where they can meet lifelong friends ness of environmental devastation ing. Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville, Ga. tional foods and historical farm demos. and learn about protecting ecosystems and enjoying the great outdoors. Visit in eastern Kentucky. Visit: appala- Visit: gastateparks.org Kingsport, Tenn. Call 423-288-6071 appvoices.org/thevoice. chianfestival.org Page 28 | The Appalachian Voice | April/May 2012