Jobs in Solar Outnumber Coal in Virginia
A report from Virginia Public Radio says that in 2016 the number of solar jobs in the commonwealth was higher than the number of coal jobs, with 3,236 and 2,866 jobs respectively. The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy reports that there was a 40 percent drop in coal employment over the past five years, while the Solar Foundation reports that the jobs in solar have risen by about 65 percent in the past year.
Duke Withdraws Chemical Plan
Duke Energy withdrew its request to add more chemical compounds in multiple coal-fired plants that would cause an increase in contamination and threaten drinking water in Charlotte, N.C.
The chemical compounds were intended to reduce the amount of air pollution from the plants. In 2014, bromides in the drinking water from a separate chemical used by Duke Energy caused community concerns, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Dept. of Interior Plans to Increase Oil and Gas Drilling on Federal Land
On July 6, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke released his plan for an accelerated application process for drilling oil and gas from federal lands, where permits are to now be approved within 30 days. Some environmental groups have indicated it’s unnecessary to accelerate oil and gas permitting on public lands because so much land is already leased to drilling oil companies but is going unused, according to InsideClimate News.
Feds Look to Coal for Rare Elements
The U.S. Department of Energy announced in early July that it would invest $6.9 million to research extracting rare earth elements from coal and coal by-products. These elements are crucial for producing technology like smartphones, transportation and national defense. The United States currently imports most rare earth elements.
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A photo essay that celebrates the volunteer spirit of the grassroots group Hurricane Helene WNC and speaks to the resourcefulness, collaboration and hard work embodied by thousands and thousands of volunteers, first responders and aid workers across the region after Hurricane Helene.
Halloween Approaches, and Night School Is in Session
The House of Art in Bluefield, West Virginia, looks like a haunted tower, making it the perfect location for its sixth annual haunt event: Night School. The Night School will be open every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31.
‘The Most Perfect Act of Love’
Hundreds of people attended the second annual Affirming Sumner Pride celebration on a 24-acre farm dubbed “Fruity Farm” in Bethpage, Sumner County, Tennessee.
Signs of Life: Endangered Bats Found in Nantahala for First Time in More Than a Decade
In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.
‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
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