JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, Jan. 21 (TNSPer) -- East Tennessee State University issued the following news: Poet, editor and award-winning essayist Dr. Amy Wright is the Spring 2022 Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric and Science, a prestigious honor given by East Tennessee State University for nearly 30 years. Wright coordinates the Creative Writing Program at Austin Peay State University, where she also teaches writing, and serves as the senior editor fo  more

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 19 -- American Electric Power Corp. issued the following news release on Jan. 18, 2022: The Board of Directors of American Electric Power Co. (Nasdaq: AEP) today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 78 cents a share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable March 10, 2022, to shareholders of record as of Feb. 10, 2022, and is the company's 447th consecutive quarterly common stock cash dividend. AEP has paid a cash dividend on its common stock every qu  more

ROANOKE, Virginia, Jan. 19 -- Appalachian Power, an American Electric Power company, issued the following news release on Jan. 18, 2022: Appalachian Power today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) of wind and/or 100 MW of solar generation resources with optional battery energy-storage systems. The proposals will help the company meet the renewable energy requirements established by Virginia's Clean Economy Act (VCEA). Under the VCEA, Appalachian Power must meet a  more

BOONE, North Carolina, Jan. 21 (TNSPol)(TNScapV) -- Appalachian Voices issued the following news release on Jan. 20, 2022: Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2022 to extend the Coal Excise Tax for 10 years, with original cosponsors Rep. John Yarmuth (KY-3) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-12). This is a welcome development for miners with black lung disease and their families who rely on the Black Lung Disabi  more

RICHMOND, Virginia, Jan. 20 (TNSPol) -- Appalachian Voices issued the following news release: A coalition representing member-owners of Virginia's rural electric cooperative (RECs) is rallying in support of Del. Wendy Gooditis' legislation that seeks to establish protections and safeguards for customers (member-owners) of the thirteen rural electric cooperatives in the state. These reforms would include allowing member-owners to observe board meetings, voter integrity measures for cooperative b  more

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina, Jan. 22 (TNSPol) -- The Center for Biological Diversity issued the following news release on Jan. 21, 2022: The long-awaited Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest Plan released today proposes a massive increase in timber harvests while weakening protections for old-growth forests and rare species. The Forest Service plan is a blueprint for the next 15 to 30 years of management for the 1.1-million-acre national forest in western North Carolina. It will guide which areas of  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 (TNSPol) -- The Center for Biological Diversity issued the following news release: More than 360 climate, tribal, religious and conservation groups petitioned the Biden administration today to use its executive authority to phase out oil and gas production on public lands and oceans. The petition provides a framework to manage a decline of oil and gas production to near zero by 2035 through rulemaking, using long-dormant provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act, Outer Continen  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (TNSRep)(TNSCapV) -- Friends of the Earth issued the following joint news release on Jan. 19, 2022: More than 360 climate, tribal, religious and conservation groups petitioned the Biden administration today to use its executive authority to phase out oil and gas production on public lands and oceans. The petition provides a framework to manage a decline of oil and gas production to near zero by 2035 through rulemaking, using long-dormant provisions of the Mineral Leasing Ac  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 (TNSPol)(TNSCapV) -- The Sierra Club issued the following joint news release with 16 organizations on Jan. 18, 2022: In a brief filed today with the Supreme Court, environmental, public health and clean energy industry groups urge the Court to reject the coal industry's radical attempt to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to confront the climate crisis. The coalition urges the Court to affirm the authority, and duty, the Clean Air Act confers upon the   more

NEW YORK, Jan. 19 (TNSPol) -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following joint news release with 16 organizations on Jan. 18, 2022: In a brief filed today with the Supreme Court, environmental, public health and clean energy industry groups urge the Court to reject the coal industry's radical attempt to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to confront the climate crisis. The coalition urges the Court to affirm the authority, and duty, the Clean Air Act confers upon   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (TNSPol) -- Clean Wisconsin issued the following joint news release with 16 organizations on Jan. 19, 2022: In a brief filed yesterday with the U.S. Supreme Court, environmental, public health and clean energy industry groups urge the Court to reject the coal industry's radical attempt to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to confront the climate crisis. The coalition urges the Court to affirm the authority, and duty, the Clean Air Act confers upon the   more

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Jan. 20 (TNSOps) -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics issued the following news: Players of the week are evaluated on their performance during the week prior to the announcement. Each player is selected out of a pool of conference and Continental Athletic Conference (Independents) award winners. Week 1 (November 17, 2021) Wrestler of the Week: Jack Bass, Life (Ga.) He won the 157 lbs. bracket at the Mountaineer Open that was hosted by Appalachian St  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Jan. 21 (TNSOps) -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news release: A generous gift by Truman Semans of his family's historic Hobby Horse Farm in Bath County, Virginia, will elevate The Nature Conservancy's adjoining Warm Springs Mountain Preserve into a flagship preserve for the Appalachians. "This farm is, for us, heaven on Earth," said Truman Semans. "We are proud to give it to The Nature Conservancy." The farm will help create a landscape-wide hub for implem  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development has issued the following news release on Jan. 20, 2022: U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's first-year accomplishments to help ensure that rural residents and businesses have equitable access to housing, health care, economic development and other essential services. "USDA Rural Development has worked hand-in-hand wi  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release on Jan. 18, 2022: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, as well as co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, today launched a new initiative inviting West Virginians to share information on broadband challenges or solutions they've seen in their communities, as well as other feedback related to this issue. "I have alw  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- Sen. Robert Casey Jr., D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: One year after the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is releasing a statement applauding the progress that the Administration has made to build back better: "One year ago today, President Biden and Vice President Harris inherited the worst public health crisis in a century and major economic challenges. Since that time, the Biden-Harris Adminis  more

DENVER, Colorado, Jan. 22 -- Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper today released details on competitive grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. Colorado is set to receive billions from the legislation, which Hickenlooper helped write and shepherd into law. "Colorado cities, towns, and municipalities are eligible for billions to repair our roads and bridges, clean up our water, fight climate change, and more," said  more

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, Jan. 22 -- The Tennessee Valley Authority issued the following news release: To increase recreation opportunities in the region, the Tennessee Valley Authority on Tuesday opened a new 6.7-mile, multi-use trail at Loyston Point Recreation Area on Norris Reservoir in Andersonville. The twisty singletrack trail is designed with natural elevation changes and exposed rocks and roots to provide moderate challenges for hikers and bikers who want more adventure. Located 30 minut  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following news release on Jan. 20, 2022: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement highlighting key steps the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has taken to advance equity under the Biden-Harris Administration. Under Secretary Vilsack's leadership, USDA has taken bold, historic action toward rooting out generations of systemic racism, deeply integrating equity in decision-making and policymaking in  more

NEW YORK, Jan. 20 (TNSRep) -- Waterkeeper Alliance issued the following joint news release on Jan. 19, 2022: More than 360 climate, tribal, religious and conservation groups petitioned the Biden administration today to use its executive authority to phase out oil and gas production on public lands and oceans. The petition provides a framework to manage a decline of oil and gas production to near zero by 2035 through rulemaking, using long-dormant provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act, Outer Co  more

EUGENE, Oregon, Jan. 20 (TNSRep) -- The Western Environmental Law Center issued the following joint news release on Jan. 19, 2022: More than 360 climate, tribal, religious and conservation groups petitioned the Biden administration today to use its executive authority to phase out oil and gas production on public lands and oceans. The petition provides a framework to manage a decline of oil and gas production to near zero by 2035 through rulemaking, using long-dormant provisions of the Mineral  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (TNSRep) -- WildEarth Guardians issued the following joint news release on Jan. 19, 2022: More than 360 climate, tribal, religious and conservation groups petitioned the Biden administration today to use its executive authority to phase out oil and gas production on public lands and oceans. The petition provides a framework to manage a decline of oil and gas production to near zero by 2035 through rulemaking, using long-dormant provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act, Outer C  more