Front Porch Blog

We’re ready for “New Power in the Old Dominion”

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

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!

About Cat McCue

Although not native to the region, Cat feels deeply connected to the mountains, rivers, backroads and small towns of Appalachia she has come to know over the years. She is Appalachian Voices' Senior Communications and Public Engagement Strategist.


4 COMMENTS
  1. Angela Conroy says:

    WOW! Awesome and timely!! The Cabell Brand Center (CBC) for Global Poverty and Resource Sustainability Studies is hosting a energy efficiency/solar PV workshop on October 18 in the Roanoke Valley i.e. Sustainable Energy Workshop: Advancing Energy Efficiency and Solar PV Solutions for Virginians.

    CBC would love to have you talk about the campaign at the workshop. We will follow up with Nathan. Thanks!

  2. bruce ritchie says:

    App Voices,
    I live in Rockingham county, and know that the Harrisonburg area with Eastern Mennonite University, and James Madison University has lots of interest in new ways of living better on our planet. They have helped greatly in our struggle against hydrofracking in NW Rockingham County. Please contact me, or other folks in our area about your upcoming “New Power” events. I am sure that we can provide a substantial turnout to an event in this area. My home phone is 540-852-3422, and my cell is 5402090540. Thanks for all you do, and please keep us in the loop! Also make sure you contact the Little Grill Collective, as they have many like minded persons there.
    Bruce Ritchie
    Criders, va. 22820

  3. Thank you for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I have a venture that I am simply now working on, and I have been at the look out for such info.

  4. Annette says:

    I would love for someone from this group to come speak to our local planning and Board of Supervisors. They are currently trying to pass zoning that will prohibit property owners from utilizing this new technology.

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