Major grant awarded for Appalachian Voices’ jobs, economic project in Southwest Virginia

The GO Virginia State Board has approved a Per Capita application for the Appalachian Voices “Energy Storage and Electrification Manufacturing Jobs” project. Approved at $486,366, the project will create jobs in GO Virginia Region One in the energy storage and electrification manufacturing field while attracting investments and expanding the local tax base. CONTACT: Kalen Hunter,…

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Unique partnership will bring 10 megawatts of solar, new jobs to Virginia coalfields

CONTACT: Cat McCue, Appalachian Voices, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 Erik Curren, Secure Futures, erik@securefutures.solar, 540-466-6128 **Photos, graphics and a recording of this press tele-conference are available in this Google folder.** Norton, Va. — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia today announced an innovative partnership with Secure Futures to provide commercial-scale solar installations in the coalfield region that…

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Virginia commission advances solar in coalfield region

CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, Appalachian Voices New Economy Program Manager, chelsea@appvoices.org, 276-207-9636 Southwest Virginia’s coal-bearing region is significantly closer to reaping the benefits of rooftop solar on businesses, nonprofits, schools and other government buildings. The Virginia State Corporation Commission on Friday issued an order updating guidelines for its renewable energy pilot program for third-party power purchase…

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Virginia opens the door for independent proposals for solar projects in Southwest Virginia

CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes 276-207-9636 chelsea@appvoices.org Cat McCue 434-293-6373 cat@appvoices.org The Virginia State Corporation Commission has announced that it is re-opening acceptance of registrations for third-party, non-utility owners of solar generation through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The pilot program has been closed to registrations since January when the previous state limit on such arrangements was reached.…

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Southwest Virginia seeks partners for solar development

people by solar panel

CONTACT: Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development, adam@appvoices.org, 276-679-1691 Norton, VA — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia today released a Request for Information (RFI) for a “co-development concept” for commercial-scale solar projects throughout the seven-county coalfield region. The workgroup seeks to enter into an agreement to collaboratively identify, design and develop…

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Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia recognized in national competition

Contacts: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org, 276-207-9636 Cat McCue, Communications Director cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office has recognized the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia in a national competition that supports community groups for innovative solar programs and their ability to reach new markets. Known as the “Solar…

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