‘First Line of Defense’

Dan Buchanan stands in front of Double Island Volunteer Fire Department's fire engine

During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.

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Nonprofits and Local Governments Go Solar

The panels these students helped install at Tri-County Career Center will save the center $16,000 annually for 25 years. Photo courtesy of Tri-County Career Center

There has been a wave of new investments in solar power over the past few years due to tax credits for clean energy projects from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Those credits will be ending as a result of passage of the Republican reconciliation bill in early July.

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