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A Letter From Our Co-Directors On Our Legislative Agenda

A Letter From Our Co-Directors On Our Legislative Agenda

The following is an email from MountainTrue Co-Directors Julie Mayfield and Bob Wagner on our legislative agenda for the 2016 session.

Dear MountainTrue Supporter:

People who live in our part of the state know all too well that North Carolina’s legislature can have an enormous impact – good and bad – on the preservation and protection of our natural resources.

That’s why MountainTrue tracks legislation and engages legislators in Raleigh in addition to all of our local advocacy and on-the-ground work in WNC.

Our legislative work starts again soon this year, as the General Assembly prepares to open its 2016 session on April 25. We are writing to update you about our legislative efforts, which focus on several important policy areas this year, and to invite you to help us speak up for a clean environment and a sustainable economy.

As lawmakers head back to Raleigh, here’s a list of the issues we’ll be talking to them about:

  • Clean Energy – State energy policies, like North Carolina’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and tax policies that incentivize the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy have made our state a national leader in clean-tech jobs and the evolution away from fossil fuels. Unfortunately, lawmakers in Raleigh continue to attack these policies, and MountainTrue will again be a strong voice this session for maintaining our state’s reputation as a leader on clean energy.
  • Clean Water – In WNC, the growth of the brewing industry is just one example of how a strong economy depends on clean water. Before the Great Recession, North Carolina was a leader in clean water investments such as the Clean Water Management Trust fund and other funding sources. Since then, lawmakers have made slow but steady progress in restoring this funding. This year, MountainTrue will work to see that these investments continue to grow. We’ll also advocate for expanded funding help farmers and other property owners manage their land in ways that protect water quality for downstream neighbors.
  • Coal Ash – Effective clean up and disposal of the state’s coal ash will be a long-term effort that requires accountability and transparency among all stakeholders. Unfortunately, legal maneuverings and political posturing have been a poor replacement for good policy on coal ash.  This session, MountainTrue will oppose efforts to water down coal ash laws or reduce public accountability and transparency in the clean up effort.
  • Local Control – Local communities must be able to find sustainable solutions to important challenges, including transportation, planning and development. Unfortunately, recent legislatures have too often reduced this authority. MountainTrue opposes any further reduction in local governments’ ability to shape sustainable futures for their citizens.
  • Fair and Open Government – Our government works best when all citizens have an equal voice, regardless of their background, political affiliation, income – or where they live. That’s why MountainTrue supports a nonpartisan redistrictingprocess, so that all North Carolinians are equally represented at all levels of government.

In addition to engaging lawmakers on these issues, we will also be taking groups of MountainTrue supporters to Raleigh this session to meet with their lawmakers. We invite you to join us. The first of these trips is scheduled for early May. If you are interested in participating, please contact our campaign director Joan Walker.

To help keep you update on important environmental issues in Raleigh during the session, MountainTrue also publishes the MTRaleigh Report. To subscribe, please visithttps://mountaintrue.org/ncga/ and click on the link at the top of the page.

We also have information about your legislators on our website.  If you would like to learn more about your legislator, their voting records, their fundraising and their contact information, visit the MountainTrue website at https://mountaintrue.org/ncga.

Finally – thank you! Your support of MountainTrue makes it possible for us to protect – both locally and in Raleigh – the places we share and love in Western North Carolina.

Sincerely,

Julie Mayfield and Bob Wagner
Co-Directors, MountainTrue

MountainTrue Presents Water Quality Report to Henderson County

MountainTrue Presents Water Quality Report to Henderson County

MountainTrue Presents Water Quality Report to Henderson County

 

On April 4, MountainTrue presented an update on our Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) program to the Henderson County Commissioners.  This program has been collecting data for 20 years, and last year we engaged over 40 volunteers to test 35 sites throughout Henderson County.

EQI, the Environmental Quality Institute, has published the full report for years 2013-2014, and we’ve created an executive summary. The results show that efforts to protect the Mills and Green River have paid off with water quality improving in those and other watersheds. Others, like Mud Creek, are not doing so well, so we’ll be focusing in those areas with more tree plantings, clean-up days and other efforts to improve water quality.

This program depends on the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. We can’t do it without you! Contact Evan Parker, Water Quality Administrator at wqa@mountaintrue.org to get involved.

N.C. Utilities Commission Denies Duke Energy’s Application for Third Unit

N.C. Utilities Commission Denies Duke Energy’s Application for Third Unit

N.C. Utilities Commission Denies Duke Energy’s Application for Third Unit

 

Asheville Beyond Coal activists protesting the coal-fired power plant during a float on Lake Julian. The power plant produces CO2, SO2 and coal ash which pollutes the French Broad River. 

On February 29, the North Carolina Utilities Commission handed down its decision on Duke Energy’s “Western Carolinas Modernization Project” giving Duke the go-ahead to construct two 280 megawatt natural gas combined cycle units, but rejecting a controversial third 186 MW “peaking” unit.

The two new natural gas units will replace the existing 379 MW coal plant when it retires in 2020. Duke had also sought approval of a third “peaking unit” despite having publicly stated that the unit would not be needed until 2023 and that company would work to avoid having to construct it by partnering with local communities, investing in more renewable infrastructure and expanding access to energy efficiency programs. By denying this part of the application, the Commission was respecting the recommendation of its Public Staff and calls from the public.

MountainTrue and the Sierra Club, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, were intervenors in the proceedings before the Utilities Commission. We provided the commission with expert analysis conducted by Dick Hahn, a senior executive in the energy industry with over 40 years of technical experience, who determined that Duke’s plan was too big, too expensive and unjustified. We asked the commission to reject the application and to call on Duke to come up with a better plan, one that would save ratepayers money, be less reliant on fossil fuels and help create new green energy jobs. Short of that, we called for the rejection of the third “peaking” unit.

The Commission’s decision falls short of a complete rejection. The full decision is expected to be released in the coming weeks, and, at that time, MountainTrue and the Sierra Club will review our options with our legal counsel and take the appropriate action.

This outcome is not perfect; we can’t ignore the destructive effects of methane and natural gas on our global climate. However, the denial of Duke Energy’s application for the third “peaking” unit by the Utilities Commission should still be seen as a victory for Western North Carolina. Duke Energy’s “Western Carolinas Modernization Project” was a direct result of a years-long campaign to shut down the coal-fired power plant on Lake Julian and to clean up its coal ash ponds. Thousands of MountainTrue and Sierra Club members made their voices heard, took action and won. Then when Duke put forth the first version of their modernization plan, our members took action again and helped defeat the new massive transmission line that Duke proposed to build by clear-cutting a path through the farms, forests and communities of Henderson, Polk and Transylvania Counties.

 

Face painting at the Protect Our Land Picnic in Hendersonville. Residents rallied in opposition to a transmission line that would have cut through the forests, farms and communities of Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties and a new substation proposed for Campobello, S.C..

We’ve also secured from Duke, a promise to build 15 megawatts of new solar power infrastructure and 5 megawatts of cutting-edge industrial battery storage. The company has committed to working with the City of Asheville through the city’s Clean Energy Framework to help meet future demand through greater investment in renewables and expanded energy efficiency programs – with the express intent of avoiding the need for a third natural-gas fired peaking unit in the future.

Time and again, our communities have come together to oppose dirty coal, toxic waste, destruction of our natural heritage and beautiful mountain vistas. Because of that hard work, we’ve won a future where coal ash no longer pollutes the French Broad River, where smokestacks no longer spew sulfur dioxide into the air that we breathe, and where Duke has to respond to the concerns of our residents.

For that, MountainTrue thanks you for your ongoing support and dedication to protecting the places we share.

Volunteer Water Information Network Coordinator

MountainTrue is seeking 1-2 volunteers to coordinate and administer our Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) program in coordination with MountainTrue’s staff Water Quality Administrator.

The VWIN program consists of 35 sites throughout Henderson County that are sampled monthly to measure pollutants such as sediment and nutrients. Sampling is done by a team of volunteers, each assigned their own site, on the third Saturday of every month. Samples are dropped off at one of two refrigerated holding locations on the Saturday sampling occurs.

On the following Monday, preferably Monday morning, samples are picked up and brought to the lab at EQI in Asheville. The VWIN coordinator oversees the process of gathering and delivering samples, and the position could be split between two people so they’d only need to do this every other month.

MountainTrue VWIN Coordinator/Co-Coordinator Responsibilities:

  • Deliver and stack empty sampling bottles/ boxes at designated site in Hendersonville monthly.
  • Gather all collected samples from their holding (refrigerated) locations following the sample time (usually a Monday morning) and take them to the lab at EQI in Asheville for testing; also pick them up from lab and return to Hendersonville. Takes approximately 2.5-3 hours.
  • Assist Water Quality Administrator with maintaining all sampling supplies and replacing them if broken or lost.
  • Coordinate with volunteers to remind them of determined sampling date.
  • Assist Water Quality Administrator with training new volunteers on sampling procedures and assign to new places.
  • Possibly substitute for water sampling when other volunteers are unable to sample their sites.

VWIN Coordinator/Co-Coordinator Requirements:

  • Must be dependable and committed–we ask that you make at least a 6 month initial commitment.
  • Ability to work independently and be flexible.
  • Previous experience with water sampling and/or MountainTrue’s VWIN program a plus but not required, we will train qualified candidates and they will be supported by the Water Quality Administrator.

To apply please send a resume’ with references and a cover letter by March 31 to Evan Parker, Water Quality Administrator at wqa@mountaintrue.org.

Want to get involved with MountainTrue’s water quality programs but the VWIN coordinator position isn’t right for you? We’d love to have you! Let Evan know you want to get involved and he’ll let you know of other opportunities.

Webinar: Gearing up! What to expect in this NC Legislative session

Join MountainTrue’s legislative liaison Rob Lamme on what to expect during the 2016 N.C. Legislative session so you can be ready to engage with lawmakers as effectively as possible We’ll talk about primaries; who’s running and who’s not across WNC, the battles we can expect to fight this session, and MountainTrue’s goals to forward protections for the places we share.

Of course, we’re most effective in working with lawmakers when we have their constituents (that’s you!) with us, and we’ll talk about ways you can team up with MountainTrue to engage your representatives in doing the right thing.

RSVP to reserve your spot on the webinar today, and be entered to win one of four lunches as a thank you for spending your lunch hour with us!

A Big Thank You to Our Biomonitoring Volunteers!

A Big Thank You to Our Biomonitoring Volunteers!

 

Alex and Laura-Faye

Alex Rodriguez and Laura-Faye Weir netting some microorganisms.

Laura-Faye and Evan

Laura-Faye Weir and Evan Parker sifting through a catch.

Mary Beth and Jim

Mary Beth Hayes, left and Jim Czarnezki, front, two of our dedicated volunteers.

MountainTrue wants to thank all the dedicated volunteers who have helped make this another successful year for our biomonitoring programing. Our nine teams of volunteers sampled 21 sites throughout Henderson County, and you can expect the results of this testing in the coming weeks.

Biomonitoring, or biological monitoring, involves sampling and identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates, including insects, snails, worms, mussels, clams and crustaceans. Macroinvertebrates are sensitive to pollution such as sediment, excess nutrients and various chemicals. The diversity, health and abundance of macroinvertebrates found in a stream is a strong indicator of water quality over a period of time and can give a general idea of what may be polluting a stream.

“Using benthic macroinvertebrates to monitor stream health is very effective because the bugs we collect have been living in the stream for several months and provide an indication of the conditions in the stream over an extended period of time,” explains biomonitoring volunteer Jim Czarnezki who is a retired expert in the field. “By looking at the presence or absence of sensitive species, we can determine if a pollution event occurred even if we cannot determine what the specific pollutant was.”

Our biomonitoring program is part of our ongoing effort to monitor water quality throughout the Henderson County. This MountainTrue program is part of the larger SMIE or Stream Monitoring Information Exchange – a regional program managed by the Environmental Quality Institute to determine the health of streams and provide high-quality data. The data is compiled by EQI into an annual report, which are published on our website here: https://mountaintrue.org/water-quality-committee/

MountainTrue collects samples bi-annually during the months of October and April.  The majority of our volunteers are people who live and work in Henderson County. Some are retirees. Some are working professionals. Others are students at Warren Wilson, UNCA and Blue Ridge Community College. All have a deep commitment to clean waters and healthy ecosystems.

“Biomonitoring streams is a great way to really see life in streams. It is amazing how many little creatures are in a sample of water, under rocks or in a leaf pile,” says Dorothee Kellinghuse, a student at Warren Wilson. “As a person who loves nature with all its creatures and beauty, it is my goal to preserve and protect the habitat of which I am a part.”

 

To volunteer for our SMIE biomonitoring program

Email Evan Parker