Tag: climate change
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Statewide environmental news roundup – April 2022
The 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act required the state’s utilities to move aggressively into the renewable energy arena. Virginia Business reports that “Virginia’s largest electric utilities [Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power] are deploying an array of technologies as they decarbonize, digitalize and decentralize their power grids to meet the state’s and their own clean energy goals.” An SCC hearing examiner will issue a decision on Appalachian Power’s proposals “pretty quickly.” The projected costs of the utilities’ plans are raising concerns.
Statewide environmental news roundup – March 2022
The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) continues to make the news.
Statewide environmental news roundup – November 2021
Several Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) protesters faced a judge in late October and were convicted on misdemeanor charges and fined. Both the State Water Control Board (WCB) and the US Army Corps of Engineers are considering whether to grant what’s called a “401” water crossing permit; this opinion writer from the non-profit Mothers Out Front said the WCB should not approve it. The non-profit Wild Virginia hosted an almost 3-hour citizen ‘public hearing” (because the WCB and VA’s DEQ refused to do so). An appeals court heard arguments in a lawsuit asking the courts to strike down key MVP permits; the court could issue its decision by the end of this year. All this as the pipeline is nearing completion despite hurdles.
‘Scary for democracy’ versus ‘big government control’: Candidates for governor rest their cases
Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin took their bus tours through the Shenandoah Valley on Thursday to make their closing arguments before Tuesday’s gubernatorial election. Both framed the race as offering stark choices with sweeping consequences — just for different reasons, as they staked out opposing positions on education, how to spur economic growth and hot-button social issues that tend to fire up their respective bases.
Council approves climate provision; College students ask for more early voting access
The city council on Tuesday adopted its updated plan for what city leaders envision for Harrisonburg in 2039, which now includes a provision aimed at “effectively responding to and reducing climate change impacts.”
Statewide environmental news roundup – May 2021 (Part II)
A Virginia energy policy expert describes whether and how the state can reach carbon-free electricity by 2035, while pointing out that Dominion and ApCo ratepayers face so-called renewable energy choices that don’t actually provide them such energy. The State Corporation Commission recently approved renewable energy plans put forward by the two large utilities to implement requirements of the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA).
Statewide environmental news roundup – December 2020
Pulaski County will host a new Volvo Electric Truck plant. Virginia wants Congress to authorize transferring four acres of National Park land to the Commonwealth to construct a passenger rail bridge across the Potomac River.
City’s pursuit of clean energy sets ambitious goals, raises some questions
While formally calling for a transition to 100% clean electricity in 15 years, the city council has placed Harrisonburg in the middle of an ongoing debate over how electric utilities can move away from power sources that burn gasses contributing to global warming.