Two similar downtown gas stations – one with new lights, one with traditional lights – show how reducing glare works. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners recently approved rules intended to reduce light pollution.
Tag: environment
Showing 295-315 of 390 results
Green Scene: Dam your ash
A coalition of local and national environmental groups announced plans Jan. 19 to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to force the release of long-awaited rules regulating coal ash as hazardous waste. Despite evidence of leaking ponds and poisoned ground water, the EPA has delayed issuing new rules for nearly two years. Meanwhile, local environmentalists […]
NC lawmakers hear testimony from DENR, CTS neighbors on contamination case
A Statehouse committee chaired by Buncombe Rep. Tim Moffitt convened in Raleigh Jan. 17 to question DENR officials and hear from residents near the former CTS electroplating facility on Mills Gap Road south of Asheville. Here, Moffitt embraces CTS neighbor Dot Rice, whose family’s spring was contaminated by hazardous chemicals used at the plant; numerous Rice family members have become gravely ill.
Where the trees are in WNC
Pamela McCown from AB-Tech’s Institute for Climate Education sent us this cool graphic, using NASA satellite data to show forest cover in green over Western North Carolina. Learn more about what’s on tap for discovery at the Institute within.
Buncombe Commissioners approve new rules to curb light pollution
Here’s a list of highlights from the Jan. 17 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, which included the passage of a new outdoor lighting ordinance.
(Photos by Bill Rhodes)
LIVE: Twitter coverage of the Jan. 17 Buncombe Commissioners meeting
Among other items on the Jan. 17 meeting agenda, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider an outdoor-lighting ordinance to minimize light pollution, improve energy efficiency and maintain public safety.
EPA rejects CTS plan for soil sampling; says more robust plan needed for Mills Gap site
The EPA has rejected a plan submitted by CTS to investigate the current extent of contamination at its former plant site on Mills Gap Road. The site is presently awaiting final approval to EPA’s National Priorities List, a move expected to place it alongside the other “Superfund” sites, the most contaminated sites on EPA’s national docket. Photo by Katie Damien.
Landfills, power plant among five top greenhouse-gas emitters near Asheville
Want to know how much carbon dioxide your local power plant, paper plant or landfill emit? A new EPA tool maps the info, including five sources near Asheville.
Rep. Moffitt will chair committee to review handling of CTS site
The state’s handling of environmental contamination surrounding the former CTS of Asheville plant on Mills Gap Road is about to get some concerted attention in Raleigh, thanks to a special committee chaired by Rep. Tim Moffitt. See a detailed timeline of the long-standing CTS case after the jump. Photo by Katie Damien.
Buncombe County Commissioners consider rules that could curb light pollution
If you’ve been disturbed by someone else’s light shining where it’s supposed to be dark—a neighbor whose dawn-to-dusk flood light is aimed at your bedroom window, for instance—now’s a good time to weigh in on the process by which such lights are regulated in Buncombe County. The County Board of Commissioners will take up the issue on January 17.
Conservation Scorecard: Reps. Keever and Fisher rank high, Moffitt low
The North Carolina League of Conservation Voters scored Buncombe County’s legislators on their environmental votes for 2011. Rep. Patsy Keever ranked among the most “green” members of the Statehouse, and Rep. Tim Moffitt among the least.
Film seeks climate change solutions
Find like-minded people and learn about climate change at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville’s screening of Carbon Nation
Posana Cafe gets even greener with new solar hot-water system
On Dec. 28, Posana Cafe welcomed the winter sunshine: Sundance Power Systems installed a sun-powered hot-water system. Here’s photographer Bill Rhodes’ account of the rooftop adventure.
Tired system? Someone’s dumping scrap tires in the River District
Among the junk that Buncombians throw away, perhaps nothing is more persistent than old tires. And lately, someone has been dumping them, each cut neatly across the tread with a saw or similar tool, in secluded spots such as Asheville’s River District. Photos by Bill Rhodes.
Tomorrow’s solstice marks the first day of winter
The solstice occurs in Asheville at 12:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, Dec. 22, marking the beginning of winter. At that moment, the Earth’s axis will tilt the Northern Hemisphere at its largest angle away from the sun, according to Pamela McCown, coordinator at the A-B Tech Institute for Climate Education.
Asheville City Schools need to smarten up on waste
I am a parent of a junior at Asheville High School. I recently attended an Eco Club meeting there to express my concerns over disposable plastic foam trays being used for mealtimes, and to discuss possibilities for their replacement with more sustainable, reusable resin or plastic trays such as those used in many schools and […]
Green Scene: The walls fall
With asbestos abatement completed, a Buncombe County contractor began demolishing the former CTS of Asheville plant in south Asheville earlier this month. But while neighbors of the derelict structure have applauded the move as a long-overdue first step in cleaning up the contaminated site, resident Tate MacQueen, who’s played a key role in efforts to […]
Conservancy nonprofit SAHC purchases Spear Tops Mountain tract in Avery County
Asheville-based nonprofit the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy has purchased 225 acres in Avery County that include Spears Tops Mountain.
Biltmore Estate completes huge solar array
After a final inspection, project leaders anticipate that the new, six-acre “solar farm” at the Biltmore Estate will begin delivering power to Antler Hill Village next week.
Photos by Bill Rhodes.
NC’s first solar vehicle charging station dedicated
Today, Dec. 12, federal, state, corporate and local officials dedicated the first of three Asheville solar electric vehicle charging stations.
NOAA meteorologist offers seasonal forecast for WNC winter
A winter weather advisory has been issued for the Western North Carolina mountains today, Dec. 7, beginning at 4 p.m. Last night, NOAA meteorologist Tom Ross presented a look at the long-range winter forecast for WNC: Ashevillians may enjoy (or complain about) plenty of snow again this winter.