Groups force strong pollution controls on Virginia gas plant

Contact: Evan Johns, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, 434-738-186, ejohns@appalmad.org Hannah Wiegard, Appalachian Voices, 804-536-5598, hannah@appvoices.org Ben Weiner, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, 804-225-9113 Ex. 1002, benjamin.weiner@sierraclub.org RICHMOND, Virginia – In response to extensive comments from citizens and conservation groups, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has imposed precedent-setting protections against greenhouse gases and other air pollutants…

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Connecting the economic dots in Southwest Virginia

More than 300 people turned out for the recent Southwest Virginia Economic Forum hosted by UVA-Wise — perhaps the largest gathering of people coming together to talk specifically and hopefully about solutions for the region’s economic future. A week later, the positive energy coming out of the forum is still palpable in the community, with some feeling it may have been the turning point for the region.

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No need for more fracked-gas pipelines

There is a widespread assumption that natural gas infrastructure — like the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Mountain Valley Pipeline — would only be built if they were necessary. This assumption is not supported by the facts, as outlined here in a guest blog from a leading energy analyst.

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Controversy Shrouds Coal Ash Cleanup

In March, the N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality held hearings across the state to solicit stakeholder comments on the cleanup plans for North Carolina’s 33 Duke Energy coal ash impoundments. The state also lifted do-not-drink warnings from households with contaminated wells near coal ash ponds.

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Regional Solar Updates

North Carolina ranked second in solar growth for 2015, and a Virginia solar project is moving forward after an initial roadblock from state regulators.

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