North Carolina Archives < Page 20 of 48

Report finds thousands in western N.C. and eastern Tenn. need energy efficiency financing

By Cat McCue | May 3, 2017 |

Marshall, N.C. on the French Broad River. Photo by Jamie Goodman

CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices Energy Savings Program Manager, rory@appvoices.org, (828) 262-1500 Boone, N.C. — A program that pays for the upfront cost of home energy improvements could lower monthly bills for thousands of families in western North Carolina while creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and protecting natural resources and public health, according to Appalachian…

Two N.C. Counties Make Energy Efficiency History

By AV's Intern Team | April 12, 2017 |

Two North Carolina counties — Yancey and Mitchell — have become the first in the nation to pass resolutions supporting the development of an “on-bill financing” program for energy efficiency improvements by their electric utility.

Students speak out against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline: Why collaborative resistance matters

By Guest Contributor | April 4, 2017 |

Guest bloggers Divest Appalachian members Cassidy Quillen and Olivia Nelson take a look at how the Atlantic Coast Pipeline touts an ideology of sustainability while profiting off of industries driving climate change.

Two North Carolina counties make energy efficiency history

By Lauren Essick | March 25, 2017 |

Two western North Carolina counties — Yancey and Mitchell — made energy efficiency history when they passed resolutions supporting development of an “on-bill financing” for their citizens by local utility French Broad Electric.

FERC’s pipeline review process is broken

By Peter Anderson | February 20, 2017 |

It’s no secret: oil and gas pipelines have captured the nation’s attention, not to mention the new administration’s. But new research is refuting the industry’s pro-pipeline arguments and even a former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is calling for greater scrutiny of proposed natural gas infrastructure projects.

Serving residents by saving energy

By Katie Kienbaum | February 2, 2017 |

Students at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. spent a recent Saturday volunteering with Appalachian Voices and others to give two local homes an energy efficiency boost. The work was part of the school’s 18th annual MLK Challenge. “They caught energy leaks I knew nothing about,” said Faith Wright of Vilas, N.C., who was grateful for the volunteer energy of what she called the “student worker bees.”

Gov. Cooper nominates new environmental secretary

By Brian Sewell | January 4, 2017 |

Michael Regan, who was appointed this week as secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, pledged to increase transparency at the agency.

Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed Michael Regan as the next secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. Regan pledged to develop greater transparency at the agency. That alone could signal a shift from the prior DEQ leadership’s approach to public engagement on environmental issues.

Trouble is afoot in NC special session

By Brian Sewell | December 15, 2016 |

North Carolina lawmakers have set about a brazen scheme to strip powers that McCrory enjoyed from the incoming Cooper administration.

After days of deflecting questions and refusing to explain their priorities for the “emergency session,” Republicans introduced a slew of bills that would make sweeping changes and dramatically shift the balance of power away from the governor. Take action to stop this blatant abuse of power.

Devastating Forest Fires Ignite Southeast

By Elizabeth E. Payne | December 14, 2016 |

Numerous forest fires burned across the Southeast throughout the autumn. Nearly 120,000 acres of forest burned, and the city of Gatlinburg, Tenn., was badly damaged, with 14 lives lost.