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.
Our Successes
MountainTrue has been involved in environmental action and energy conservation for decades to ensure that our region is moving towards sustainable energy solutions. Together with partner organizations and our engaged community, we have secured the retirement of Duke Energy’s Asheville coal plant, kept large transmission lines from cutting through our communities, successfully advocated for North Carolina to order a full cleanup of all remaining coal ash pits in the state, and much more.
>Read more about our energy successes!
The Blue Horizons Project
With a growing population and increasingly technology-dependent culture, the energy needs of Buncombe County have grown – and continue to grow – significantly larger. Soon, our energy demand will strain our ability to meet it. If our demand continues to increase at its current rate, in five short years we won’t have the capacity to meet it.
In our area, it’s winter that presents the greatest challenge. During the coldest days, the amount of energy we need to heat our homes spikes sharply.
The Blue Horizons Project is all about making a clean energy future a reality in Buncombe County and preserving our skies and waters for generations to come. Here you’ll find resources, tips and information for the first step in that journey – making your home and business more energy efficient.
To start saving energy now, visit https://bluehorizonsproject.com/.
To read an op/ed about the Blue Horizons Project co-authored by MountainTrue Co-Director Julie Mayfield, click here.
Become a Member of the Recycling and Waste 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 and Waste Team educates the public and policymakers about best practices by speaking at 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 MountainTrue’s Southern Regional Director Gray Jernigan at gray@mountaintrue.org.
Climate Listening Project
> Visit the Climate Listening Project website
Energy and Sustainability News
Stand Up For Clean Water at Mine Permit Hearing May 2!
Thankfully, members like you spoke up to make sure the Spruce Pine community gets a public hearing to have a voice in the future of the North Toe before six new wastewater permits are approved. The hearing is scheduled for next Thursday, May 2. Now is the time to spread the word and make sure there’s a big public turnout for the hearing!
Celebrate Earth Day with MountainTrue
For six years, MountainTrue members kept the pressure on Duke Energy and the state Department of Environmental Quality. You are part of that legacy. Your support held Duke Energy accountable. Recent victories are an important reminder that your activism can change the course of history.
Thank Asheville City Council for Making Public Transit Their #1 Priority!
At their retreat on March 8, City Council made improving Asheville’s public transit system their number one priority. This is a big deal: it means City Council has publicly committed to putting a better public transit system – one that runs on time, all day and more often for riders who depend on it – at the very top of their list. Join the Asheville Regional Transit Coalition in thanking City Council here!
Did You Miss Our Annual Gathering? You Can Still Take Action Here!
We had a wonderful evening hanging out with MountainTrue members at our Annual Gathering on Wednesday night. If you missed it, you can still take action to protect WNC’s mountains here. We hope you’ll get involved and join us next time!
