Green Energy
Our communities deserve clean, sustainable, homegrown energy. We believe North Carolina can lead the South into a 21st-century energy economy that’s built to last.
MountainTrue is dedicated to helping North Carolina communities transition to renewable energy. We work with local community members, policymakers and utilities to bring our region sustainable solutions for our ever-growing energy needs.
Become a Member of the Recycling Team in Henderson County
This task force promotes city, county, and regional recycling programs (including curb-side pick-up) and advocates to improve Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle programs. The Recycling Team educates the public and policymakers about best practices by speaking at county commission meetings, writing letters to the editor, holding public forums, contacting schools and businesses, and organizing eco-tours. For more information or to become a committee member, email Katie Breckheimer at breckheimerkatie@gmail.com.
Energy and Sustainability News
What The Heck Is Going On In Raleigh Re: Coal Ash? Some Answers
The North Carolina House of Representatives passed SB 71 on Wednesday, May 25 by a vote of 86 to 25 and sent it to the Senate. While this bill contains some good provisions, such as requiring Duke Energy to provide a permanent, clean drinking water supply for some residents living near coal ash pits, overall we believe that risks of SB 71 outweigh its benefits. We are concerned that in the process of revising the state’s coal ash laws, the legislature may provide Duke Energy with an avenue to reclassify many of its coal ash pits and substantially decrease the quality of their clean up, including the number that are required to be excavated rather than simply capped in place. The legislature’s review of SB 71 is ongoing but moving quite quickly. North Carolinians who want to have their voices heard on this important legislation should act now.
One Day, Two Big Victories
Yesterday we got great news on two efforts MountainTrue has been leading the way on for years: coal ash and the I-26 connector. The Department of Environmental Quality announced that all of Duke Energy’s coal ash in Western North Carolina will be cleaned up and moved away from our Broad and French Broad Rivers.
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.
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.