The Wise Energy Coalition is taking to the road to educate Virginians about new ways to power the Old Dominion.

For years, Appalachian Voices and our partners in the Wise Energy for Virginia (WEFV) Coalition have been advocating for clean energy here in the Old Dominion. We need policies that move Virginia away from a dependence on dirty fossil fuels and embrace the promise of energy efficiency and renewable sources like wind and solar.

After our major victory in stopping what would have been largest coal plant in the state, the WEFV Coalition shifted focus to bringing clean energy solutions to Virginia. We’re calling the campaign “New Power for the Old Dominion” and it’s coming soon to a town near you.

• September 10, Richmond
• September 12, Charlottesville
• October 3, Wise County
• October 16, Hampton
• (Plus pending dates in Roanoke and Northern Virginia; all times and locations TBD)

In the next few weeks, we’ll kick off this statewide campaign to educate Virginians from all walks of life about the benefits of shifting to clean energy — including the protection of our mountains, cleaner air and water, new jobs for Virginians, and mitigating the effects of climate change. We’ll have a new website with stories of Virginia citizens and businesses who are tapping into clean energy, and a pledge drive for Virginians to add their voice to the call for New Power for the Old Dominion.

The presentations will outline where Virginia currently gets its electricity and the pitfalls of relying on large fossil fuel power plants, which run for 40- to 50-years and are vulnerable to volatile fuel (coal and oil) prices. We’ll explain why this business model has proven to be so profitable for utilities, and is favored by existing laws and regulations.

Then we’ll describe a new direction for Virginia, where investments in energy efficiency and solar and wind power save consumers money, protect human health and the environment, and create jobs.

Most importantly, we’ll invite citizens like you to get involved in making these changes in your community and across the state. We’ll be road-tripping around the commonwealth for the next several months, giving the presentation at churches, civic clubs and other community meetings. (Let us know if YOU want to schedule one in your community. Email nathan @ appvoices.org)

Watch this space for more information, coming soon. We look forward to seeing you!