Stay Informed
Show your support for the Energy Innovation Task Force
This Tuesday, March 22, Asheville City Council will vote on a resolution to establish the Energy Innovation Task Force. Then on April 5, Buncombe County Commission will meet to vote on the same joint resolution. This task force will bring together representatives from the City, County, Duke Energy and community partners to work toward to a cleaner, affordable and smarter energy future. Public comment will be accepted.
MountainTrue Comes to the High Country with a Kick-off Event in Boone
The High Country welcomed MountainTrue High Country Director and new Watauga Riverkeeper Andy Hayslip with a special kick-off event in Boone, NC on March 3. Attendees enjoyed fantastic and creative beers from Appalachian Mountain Brewery, a new Spring special cookie from Appalachia Cookie Company, and music by Boone native Andy Farrell.
French Broad Ranks 11th in Outside’s Best Trips of 2016
Outside magazine has released its annual list of the Best Trips of 2016 and the French Broad River is ranked #11 … in the world. The magazine states that these vanguard destinations are the favorites of its editors and writers, and the French Broad River gets accolades for its access to some of the world’s best craft breweries. Now’s your chance to make a reservation for the 2016 French Broad Riverkeeper Paddle Trip!
March 10: Hendersonville Green Drinks: Stop Working So Hard – Let The Chickens Do It
On Thursday March 10, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes featured speaker Justin Rhodes who will speak about raising permaculture chickens. Rhodes, is an author and film producer who has taught thousands of folks how to live more sustainable (freedom filled) lives.
N.C. Utilities Commission Denies Duke Energy’s Application for Third Unit
On February 29, the North Carolina Utilities Commission handed down its decision on Duke Energy’s “Western Carolinas Modernization Project”, approving two over-sized natural gas-fired units but rejecting the controversial third “peaking” unit. These are mixed results that should be viewed in the context of the years-long campaign to move Asheville Beyond Coal.
N.C. Utilities Commission Decision on Duke Energy’s Proposed Asheville Gas Plant Mixed, Conservation Groups Say
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.–Conservation groups expressed some reservations about today’s mixed decision by the North Carolina Utilities Commission on Duke Energy’s proposal to build a new gas-fired power plant in Western North Carolina. In a brief Notice of Decision, the Commission announced its decision to issue a “certificate of public convenience and necessity” to Duke for two 280 megawatt natural gas combined cycle units to replace the 379 MW coal plant when it retires in 2020. At the same time, the commission respected the recommendation of its Public Staff and calls from the public by denying Duke’s request for early approval of a third, 186 MW combustion turbine unit that Duke claimed it might need in 2023, if at all.