Rushed Anti-Renewable Energy Bill Stalls in Committee

By AV's Intern Team | April 24, 2013 |

By Davis Wax Editorial assistant, Spring/Summer 2013 A bill in the N.C. House that would repeal the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) failed today in the House Committee on Public Utilities and Energy by a vote of 18-13. According to the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association talk of insufficient votes in the Environment Committee prompted…

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Renewable Energy Standard Targeted by N.C. Legislature

By AV's Intern Team | April 19, 2013 |

By Davis Wax Editorial assistant, Spring/Summer 2013 Despite job creation directly linked to North Carolina’s burgeoning clean energy industry, the state’s modest renewable energy standard continues to be targeted by lawmakers. The “Affordable and Reliable Energy Act,” which narrowly passed the House Commerce Committee, would warp the state renewable energy portfolio standard into a shadow…

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Renewed Resolve: Pushing for Energy Reform in Virginia

By Nathan Jenkins | March 6, 2013 |

Reform of Virginia’s renewable energy law was in the spotlight on both sides of the political spectrum in the General Assembly this year. In the end, only a few adjustments were made to the law, none of which encourage the vibrant solar and wind industries that Virginians want, nor support a market for small businesses…

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President Obama Focuses on Energy Jobs

By JW Randolph | February 13, 2013 |

Climate, Energy, Efficiency Feature as Key Pieces of SOTU The first “State of the Union” address of President Obama’s second term had a little something for everybody. The President was aggressive about the need to tackle the problem of climate change, while using broad economic language to describe the potential benefits of growth in solar,…

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Duke CEO Could Be New Energy Guru || N.C. Round-Up

By AV's Intern Team | February 8, 2013 |

By Davis Wax Editorial assistant, Spring/Summer 2013 Over the past few weeks there has been a spurt of environmental and energy news in North Carolina and its capital, Raleigh. The developing issues include departing Charlotte-based Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers being considered for the President’s cabinet, a new bill looking to end state environmental and…

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Renewing the Push for Renewable Energy in Virginia

By Nathan Jenkins | January 24, 2013 |

Each year, as Virginia’s General Assembly convenes, lawmakers are confronted with hundreds of proposals running the gamut from education to energy. Many involve complicated issues, and many are distorted by corporate interests and political posturing. This year the legislature is grappling with a key renewable energy law, known as the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which…

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The New Faces and Issues of North Carolina

By Appalachian Voices | January 15, 2013 |

THE NEW FACES For the first time since 1870, the Republican party controls both the executive and legislative branches in North Carolina government. With the General Assembly sporting veto-proof majorities in both its chambers, and Pat McCrory’s election making him the state’s first Republican governor in 20 years, the political landscape in North Carolina has…

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New NC DENR Boss Isn’t Sure About Global Warming

By Sandra Diaz | January 11, 2013 |

By Tabitha Lundsford Red, White and Water intern, Spring 2013 Watch as John Skvarla, North Carolina’s new head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, sidesteps a question about climate change (near the end of the video) and supports the continuance of fracking. As the state pursues more controversial forms of energy production, he…

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