Municipal officials, wildlife experts and WNC residents talk bear-resistant trash cans, bird feeders and educational initiatives designed to protect citizens and wildlife living in close proximity to each other.
Tag: MountainTrue
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Local agencies work to improve water quality in Buncombe & Madison counties
This week, Xpress looks at the network of agencies and organizations working in Buncombe and Madison counties to improve water quality and position the French Broad as the region’s next great tourist attraction.
Conscious Party: Wild and Scenic Film Festival (SOLD OUT)
The 10 environmentally-themed short films featured in MountainTrue’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival range from inspiring to educational. The event takes place at Sierra Nevada’s outdoor amphitheater on Thursday, May 4.
Screen scene: Local film news
The Grail’s Silent Sundays series continues with a Buster Keaton comedy, Hickory Nut Gap Farm hosts a Family Movie Night and more.
Full speed ahead: Smart meters coming to WNC
Duke Energy’s plan to bring smart meters to the mountains could put two key concerns — energy conservation and human health — into a head-on collision, critics say.
Liquid high-level radioactive waste could travel through WNC
A federal judge last week heard a challenge to Department of Energy plans to transport liquid radioactive waste from Canada to the Savannah River Site disposal facility near Aiken, S.C. If the plans move forward, waste could move through Western North Carolina, activists say, and shipments could begin as soon as February.
Carolina Beer Guy: Asheville Winter Warmer hits the 10-year mark
Since its debut a decade ago, Winter Warmer has established itself as one of the foremost beer festivals in Western North Carolina. And with its focus on sturdy, warming brews, it remains a favorite among locals looking to take the edge off the winter chill.
Conscious party: Mavis Staples headlines MountainTrue benefit
Lyric will open for iconic vocalist Mavis Staples at an upcoming benefit for MountainTrue. The Orange Peel hosts the show on Sunday, Nov. 13.
Beer Scout: White Labs begins hiring; Asheville breweries support conservation efforts
San Diego-based yeast producer White Labs is now hiring for its Asheville facility, and local breweries focus on supporting environmental sustainability and conservation efforts.
New state law limits coal ash cleanup
With the close of the 2016 session of the North Carolina General Assembly, homeowners and environmental advocates are scrambling to make sense of new legislation on coal ash ponds. How will the new rules affect the cleanup of coal ash ponds at Duke Energy’s Lake Julian plant, as well as homeowners who believe their wells have been contaminated by the ponds?
Father’s Day River Cleanup rewards community service with chocolate and beer
On Sunday, June 19, MountainTrue, French Broad Chocolates and Asheville Greenworks will host a Father’s Day River Cleanup that combines paddling and trash gathering with chocolate and beer.
Energy task force holds first meeting
The new Energy Innovation Task Force — which brings together representatives from electric utility Duke Energy, elected officials, the private sector, nonprofits and alternative energy providers — held its first meeting on May 13. In addition to the task force members, a sizable group of citizens and energy advocates also turned out for the public kickoff of the one-of-a-kind initiative, which aims to slow the growth of local energy demand and avoid the construction of a third natural gas generator.
Conscious party: Wild South’s Green Gala
During an upcoming fundraiser, Wild South will celebrate its own conservation work in addition to awarding the efforts of activists across eight states. Headlining the evening is DeLene Beeland, a local author who will speak about her experiences with endangered red wolves. The Millroom hosts the event on Saturday, May 7.
Duke Energy threatens to stick with coal at Asheville plant if commission rejects plans
After a Monday, Feb. 22 hearing disrupted several times by protests, the chair of the state Utilities Commission said he expects to meet a legislative deadline for a decision on Duke Energy-Progress’ conversion of its Asheville facility. Duke warned that it may not phase out its coal-fired units at the site if its petition is denied.
Reducing peak energy demand key to size of future Duke plant
Peak energy demand will determine the capacity of Duke Energy’s planned upgrades at the company’s Lake Julian power plant, according to speakers at a panel discussion on WNC’s future energy needs on Feb. 3. Speakers stressed the importance of partnerships between Duke Energy, local government and community partners to reduce demand and delay or eliminate a third new natural gas-fired generation unit planned for the Lake Julian site.
Community Calendar Highlights: Give!Local nonprofit events from 12/9 through 12/17
The Give!Local campaign nonprofits received nearly $10,000 in donations on the December 1 Big Give Day! Thanks to all those who have donated so far – your incentives will be arriving in January. There will be one more Big Give Day on Tuesday, Dec. 15, so if you wish to donate and be entered to […]
Community Calendar Highlights: Give!Local nonprofit events from 12/2 through 12/10
The 60-day Give!Local campaign is over halfway completed. We are excited to have over 130 donors, with the average donation being $57. The largest donation was $1020. There will be one more Big Give Day on December 15, so if you wish to donate and be entered to win some great prizes, it is a […]
Revised Duke Energy proposal challenges all of us
“While the utility has reduced the overall size of the proposed natural gas plant, it has also issued a warning: Unless something changes in Western North Carolina, Duke will need to build an additional gas-fueled, 190-megawatt peaking unit to meet growing demand. “
Community Calendar Highlights: Give!Local nonprofit events from 11/25 through 12/3
The Give!Local campaign is moving into the fourth week, is progressing steadily forward and is headed towards the Dec. 1 Big Give Day. Thanks to all those who have donated so far! The campaign provides a fun, fast and easy way to give online from $10 to the $1,000’s. Donors can give to as many […]
Community Calendar Highlights: Give!Local nonprofit events from 11/18 through 11/26
Thank you to all the Give!Local donors! The 60-day campaign is into its third week! The campaign provides a fun, fast and easy way to give online from $10 to $1000s. Donors can give to as many of the 30 participating nonprofits as they like and pay with one easy credit transaction. Plus, there are incentives […]
Community activists respond to Duke Energy decision
When the fight began, no one knew whether public opposition could kill Duke Energy’s proposed 40-mile transmission line from a new substation in Campobello, South Carolina to a massive new gas-fired power generation plant at Lake Julian in Skyland. Now that Duke has changed course, energy activists celebrate and refocus.