FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2024
CONTACT
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org
LEBANON, Va. — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Energy Right are hosting a solar open house for residents of Russell County and surrounding counties. The event will kick off with a short presentation on community-scale and larger-scale solar projects, and then offer an open house where attendees can get their questions answered. The Solar Open House will be held at the Lebanon Recreational Center — 45 Gibson St, Lebanon, VA 24266 — on Dec. 3 between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
“Southwest Virginia is seeing increased interest from solar companies and utilities thanks to private investments coupled with federal and state initiatives,” said Appalachian Voices Southwest Virginia Solar and Electrification Projects Manager Austin Counts. “Our goal is for community members to get the information they need to understand how solar development could impact the region.”
The event will provide opportunities to speak directly with solar developers, engineers, not-for-profits and more about ground-mounted solar installations and their potential in Southwest Virginia. Food and drink will be provided and there will be opportunities to receive gift cards and participate in a door prize where Energy Right will pay the winner’s energy bills for one month!
“The way we power Virginia is changing, and renewable energy represents a transformative opportunity for Southwest Virginia,” said Energy Right’s Community Outreach Representative Ben Wilson. “Virginians deserve answers to their questions and concerns about renewable energy and how they can develop energy the right way. The more people who engage and stay informed on the prospects of energy development, the better they can ensure local benefits while elevating their communities for the long term.”
The Russell County Open House is free and open to the public. Participants can RSVP at www.energyrightus.org/russell or by contacting Austin Counts at austin@appvoices.org. This event was originally scheduled for Oct. 1, but was postponed because of Hurricane Helene.
ABOUT
The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia: The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia is a group of nonprofit and community action agencies, colleges, state agencies, and other interested citizens and businesses seeking to develop a renewable energy industry cluster in the seven coalfield counties of Southwest Virginia. For more information on the Solar Workgroup, visit swvasolar.org.
Energy Right: Energy Right strives to ensure energy is developed the right way with a focus on property rights and conservative ideals including an all-of-the-above energy strategy led by a market-based approach. Through education efforts across Virginia, Energy Right fosters constructive conversations among community residents, businesses, and leaders to make the best energy decisions possible at the local level. For more information on Energy Right, visit energyrightva.com.
