Dartmouth students are on a quest to bring environmental consciousness to cities across the country. The Big Green Bus, powered by waste vegetable oil, is on its way to Asheville.
Tag: environment
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A break in the clouds: County seeks water loans for CTS’ neighbors
After decades of grappling with contaminated well water, several Arden residents praised the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for taking the first step toward providing them with public water lines.
The reason for the seasons
On June 20 at 7:09 p.m. EDT, we officially entered summer as people across the Northern Hemisphere noted the summer solstice. This event occurs at when the Earth’s northern axis is at its greatest tilt toward the Sun. It is because our planet is tilted on its axis of rotation by about 23.5 degrees that we experience seasons.
Minor earthquake recorded near Franklin, N.C., on June 19
The U.S. Geological Survey reports that, at 10:41 p.m. on June 19, a magnitude 2.0 earthquake occurred about 7 miles north-northeast of Franklin, N.C. No damage was reported.
Buncombe commissioners approve budget, request waterline funds to help contamination victims
Here’s a list of highlights from the June 19 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
The path ahead: County greenways plan faces major hurdles
After years of planning and public meetings, Buncombe County is poised to release a comprehensive proposal for an extensive greenway system linking towns, parks, schools and other key sites.
The path ahead: County greenways plan faces major hurdles
After years of planning and public meetings, Buncombe County is poised to release a comprehensive proposal for an extensive greenway system linking towns, parks, schools and other key sites. Bolstered by recent successes in the city of Asheville, and by growing support for transportation alternatives, advocates are eager for the plan to be released (it’s […]
Venus in transit: A rare event gives us some perspective
Life is crazy, busy, I know. We get so focused on daily activities that we often forget what a wondrous and amazingly large universe we live in. Occasionally, we get a glimpse of that reality and it never fails to leave us awestruck. Such was the case on June 5, when we were treated to a rare event during which we were able to see one of the two inner planets of our solar system, Venus in this case, pass in front of our Sun, an event called a transit. 
Beyond Coal
There’s an ironic juxtaposition of the old and new along Interstate 26 as you approach Asheville, said Bruce Nilles, the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign director. The Progress Energy plant burns coal day and night to provide power to consumers across Western North Carolina, while a short distance away, along I-40 a six-acre solar farm […]
Box Creek Wilderness gets new lease on life after development plan fizzles
Large areas of untrammeled nature are increasingly hard to come by in North Carolina — especially where the mountains meet the Piedmont, the state’s most urbanized and densely populated region. But every so often, wilderness gets a reprieve. So it is with the Box Creek Wilderness, a 3,300-acre link between the Blue Ridge and the South Mountains just east of Asheville.
Sierra Club’s ‘Beyond Coal’ campaign takes aim at Asheville-area power plant
Bruce Nilles, director of Sierra Club’s ‘Beyond Coal’ campaign, spoke at the May 23 Green Drinks. His goal: Start a local conversation about retiring Progress Energy’s plant in Skyland and get WNC off coal for good.
Solar eclipse – special delivery to Asheville
A fascinating spectacle occurred on Sunday, May 20, but only viewers in the Western and Central U.S. were treated to the rare annular solar eclipse that evening. Fortunately, I was able to capture it as I was visiting the West Coast on vacation.
UPDATED: Local residents deliver documents that may show malfeasance in CTS case
A notebook of recovered documents may show how federal officials mishandled a contaminated site on Mills Gap Road in 1999, say a group of residents who held a press conference at the federal building in downtown Asheville today, May 23. (photos by Bill Rhodes)
SNTD 2012: Community bike ride highlights multimodal progress
About 75 people participated in the May 21 Mayor’s Leadership Community Bike Ride, which aims to highlight recent multimodal infrastructure improvements and upcoming challenges.
Universal joint: UNCA teams with Astronomy Club to build new observatory
All eyes are on the skies: Eyes on the skies: Last month, UNCA announced a plan to partner with the Astronomy Club of Asheville to build a small observatory on the south-facing hillside at the north end of campus, at the end of Nut Hill Road. Key partners in the observatory plan include (from left) UNCA’s Brian Dennison and Judy Beck, and Bernie Arghiere, president of the Astronomy Club of Asheville. (photos by Max Cooper)
Asheville rolls out first steps in transit overhaul
New routes, more efficient buses, and road improvements were highlighted today as the city of Asheville marked the official beginning of its transit overhaul, coinciding with the beginning of Strive Not to Drive Week.
Female scientists of the future
The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute encourages girls to try their hands at food chemistry in the hopes of inspiring the next generation of female scientists.
Become an official severe-weather spotter: Local institute offers June 2 Skywarn training
A-B Tech Community College’s Institute for Climate Education is sponsoring a free severe weather workshop that includes National Weather Service training for volunteers interested in becoming Skywarn spotters.
Solar pillar and contrails . . . Oh My!
Last week: Western North Carolina enjoyed some beautiful weather since the rain moved out on Wednesday, May 9. Those mostly clear skies set the stage for a beautiful sunset on Thursday, evening, May 10 — with some atmospheric optics to boot!
Not just for cyclists anymore: Strive Not to Drive goes multimodal
Amid changes to Asheville’s transit system and growing momentum for building more greenways, organizers of this year’s Strive Not to Drive are hoping to shine a bright light on local alternatives to driving alone in our cars.
50,000 acres deserve a party
The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is throwing a bash to celebrate its preservation of 50,000 acres in WNC and eastern Tennessee.