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Appalachian Voices urges Lee County to back resiliency projects and press for higher black‑lung benefits
Summary
Regional nonprofit Appalachian Voices outlined energy resilience projects and asked supervisors to consider a resolution urging state and federal increases to black lung benefits; the board agreed to place the resolution on a future public hearing agenda.
Representatives from Appalachian Voices presented an overview of recent regional projects and asked the board to consider supporting a resolution on two fronts: (1) endorsing local energy‑resilience projects such as solar installations and resiliency hubs, and (2) urging state and federal action to adjust black lung benefit levels to account for inflation.
Emma Kelly (speaker 32) summarized Appalachian Voices’ work with local schools and towns, noting past solar installations on Thomas Walker High School and the county’s SolSmart bronze designation. Kelly said the group offers technical assistance and invited county collaboration on grants and resilience projects.
Annie Jane Cotton (speaker 38), who works with coal‑impacted miners, asked supervisors to pass a resolution urging state and federal leaders to increase black lung benefit levels so they track inflation. "Because black lung benefits are not tied to increases in the cost of living, families are falling further behind," Cotton said, and she asked the county to use its voice to press for change.
Board members asked for a copy of the proposed resolution and directed staff to schedule a public hearing so the item can be considered formally at a later meeting.
