Appalachian Voices is a left-leaning environmental advocacy organization based in North Carolina.
Opposition to Nuclear Energy
Appalachian Voices has repeatedly opposed the use of nuclear power. In August 2017, the group opposed a nuclear power plant proposed for Tennessee, arguing through an attorney that it would be “dangerous.” 1 In an October 2022 Appalachian Voices news release a representative of the nonprofit opposed a plan to place nuclear reactors in Virginia, claiming “well-documented social and environmental problems associated with nuclear energy.” 2 In November 2023 the director of programs for Appalachian Voices opposed the Virginia nuclear plan. 3
Nuclear power plants produce no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions, and as of 2021 accounted for 19 percent of American electricity production—the largest source of zero carbon electricity in the United States. 4 An October 2018 proposal from The Nature Conservancy noted that zero-carbon nuclear plants produced 7.8 percent of total world energy output and recommended reducing carbon emissions by increasing nuclear capacity to 33 percent of total world energy output. 5
References
- Pressley, Rachel. “Opposition to Potential Nuclear Reactors in Tennessee.” Appalachian Voices. August 22, 2017. Accessed April 8, 2025. https://appvoices.org/2017/08/22/opposition-to-potential-nuclear-reactors-in-tennessee/
- “Local citizen groups express concerns about nuclear development.” Appalachian Voices. October 14, 2022. Accessed April 8, 2025. https://appvoices.org/2022/10/14/swva-nuclear/
- Wasson, Matt. “Proposals to put new nuclear reactors near coal mine sites ignore geological hazards.” Appalachian Voices. November 20, 2023. Accessed April 8, 2025. https://appvoices.org/2023/11/29/smr-proposals/
- “Nuclear explained.” U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed July 25, 2023. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/us-nuclear-industry.php
- “The Science of Sustainability.” The Nature Conservancy. October 13, 2018. Accessed July 25, 2023. https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/the-science-of-sustainability/