As the state reviews changes to coal ash policy, EPA head Scott Pruitt is looking to help utilities' bottom line by dramatically weakening federal safeguards on the toxic substance. [ Read More ]
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Ridge Graham
A graduate of Appalachian State University with a B.S. in ecology and evolutionary biology, Ridge served as our AmeriCorps Outreach Associate from 2015-17 and is now on staff as the Field Coordinator for our North Carolina program.Federal and N.C. coal ash rules under attack
Friday, May 18th, 2018 | Posted by Ridge Graham | 6 Comments
Hold Duke Energy accountable for its illegal coal ash leaks
Tuesday, February 6th, 2018 | Posted by Ridge Graham | No Comments
North Carolina environmental regulators have proposed an arrangement that requires Duke Energy to take some expedited clean-up steps at its Marshall, Allen and Cliffside coal ash ponds. But the proposal doesn't go far enough. The N.C. DEQ needs to hear from you!
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1,000 days on bottled water
Friday, January 19th, 2018 | Posted by Ridge Graham | 1 Comment
Last week marked the 1,000th day that hundreds of families in North Carolina have had to use nothing but bottled water for drinking, cooking and bathing because their well water is likely contaminated by one of Duke Energy's leaking coal ash ponds. [ Read More ]
Neighbors angered by latest coal ash news about Duke Energy
Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017 | Posted by Ridge Graham | 3 Comments
The latest news over Duke Energy's handling of the coal ash crisis in North Carolina has many impacted citizens worried - but perhaps not shocked at the utility's ongoing duplicity on the issue. [ Read More ]
The fight against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is not over
Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 | Posted by Ridge Graham | 3 Comments
As expected, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently gave a glowing review to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, overlooking the threats to wetlands, forest, drinking waters and indigenous populations along the pipeline's proposed route. [ Read More ]
The Energy Savings for Appalachia program is expanding: Part 2
Friday, April 29th, 2016 | Posted by Ridge Graham | No Comments
After achieving success in the North Carolina High Country, we are expanding the Energy Savings for Appalachia campaign to the service territory of the Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation. [ Read More ]
NC DEQ’s blatant bid for control
Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 | Posted by Ridge Graham | No Comments
Over the past few months, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has seemed determined to have complete environmental regulatory control with little regard for federal or public input. In this endeavor, DEQ has taken every chance to highlight how external forces, including citizens groups and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are simply getting in its way. [ Read More ]
Two steps forward, one step back on coal ash in N.C.
Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 | Posted by Ridge Graham | No Comments
North Carolina communities impacted by coal ash celebrated two positive strides forward recently, only to be disappointed by another fast move on the part of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and Duke Energy that keeps too many citizens in limbo in terms of resolving polluted drinking water. [ Read More ]
Victory for public health in Duke Energy settlement
Sunday, September 20th, 2015 | Posted by Ridge Graham | No Comments
After 15 years of legal wrangling with Duke Energy, federal lawyers have finally reached a settlement over charges the utility has been illegally emitting air pollution at several of its North Carolina power plants. Duke will have to close 13 of its coal-fired units by 2024. While that's good news for its neighbors, there's still the problem of polluted water from Duke's coal ash ponds. [ Read More ]
