Media Stories
Latest News
Updated every weekday as availableArea firm plugs into ’smart-grid’ market
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, August 23, 2010
"A storm blows a tree down on a power line, and a flag pinpointing the exact spot on a map pops up on a utility’s computer screen. A water heater needs a part or to be replaced, so it sends a notice to the homeowner’s personalized iGoogle page. Sound like something straight out of "The Jetsons"? Guess again. "
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, August 11, 2010
"More than 150 residents, builders and business owners packed a Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors meeting last night urging supervisors not to repeal a five-year real-estate tax on energy-efficient buildings."
Loudoun urges federal government to retain energy block grants
Washington Post, August 8, 2010
"Loudoun County officials say that they want residents and businesses to get excited about going "green," and that with federal funding from a grant program established by President George W. Bush’s administration, it is already happening. To keep new projects and programs coming, county officials say, they are hoping President Obama’s administration will continue to invest in energy-efficiency initiatives on a local level. "
Augusta Free Press, July 15, 2010
"Millions of gallons of water are used to literally fracture the earth to get at the natural gas below. And below is the operative word – hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking, as it’s commonly called, aims at natural-gas reserves anywhere from 5,000 to 20,000 feet beneath the earth’s surface."
Weekly News
Updated every week as availableEnergy upgrades for low-income housing get boost
Daily Progress, August 27, 2010
"The Charlottesville-based Local Energy Alliance Program has been awarded $1.9 million to improve the energy and water efficiency of low-income, multi-family housing in this area and in Hampton Roads. "
Dominion discusses plan for lake water withdrawal
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, August 25, 2010
"Whenever there’s a new development on Dominion power’s plan for a third reactor at North Anna Power Station, people want to weigh in. Even when the topic is arcane: Dominion, as part of the permitting process, will apply next month for a Virginia Water Protection permit to withdraw water from Lake Anna to support Unit 3. "
Retrofitting? Leap On These Rebates, Cash Incentives
The Hook, July 13, 2010
"On July 7 the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), an independent non-profit that was formed after Charlottesville and Albemarle County were awarded a $500,000 grant from the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance last summer, finally launched a host of programs to help people make their homes more energy efficient, including a contest that could win two people a $10,000 energy makeover. “A livable community needs livable homes,” says Charlottesville mayor Dave Norris. “This contest and LEAP’s energy efficiency initiatives show we’re on the leading edge of energy solutions and sustainability.”"
New Electric Provider Promises Better Service And Lower Rates
Clarke Daily News, July 15, 2010
"Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) apologized to Clarke County customers Tuesday night promising both better reliability and innovative operating procedures designed to keep future electricity costs as low as possible. The approximately 50 people who attended REC’s informational meeting in Berryville heard explanations for REC’s shaky start as the county’s new power company as well as its plans to limit rate increases through 2014."
PEC staffer Rob Marmet is featured in this article. Rob is running for the REC Board of Directors.
Who Bears The Economic And Environmental Risks Of Uranium Mining?
Altavista Journal, July 15, 2010
"Virginia Uranium Inc. (VUI) and its public relations firm have framed uranium mining in Virginia as an opportunity for billions in benefits - if it can be done safely. But safety is only part of the issue. The real issue is the inseparable economic and environmental risks of uranium development and who bears these risks. Stakeholders need to consider the not-so-obvious long-term costs, as well as the much-touted short-term benefits of permitting uranium development throughout Virginia."
School Board Cancels Energy Management Contract
Clarke Daily News, June 23, 2010
"The Clarke County Public School system is pulling the plug on its energy monitoring contractor. School officials say that Schneider Electric (formerly known as TAC) is not delivering on promised technical solutions designed to monitor and control the school district’s energy usage. Last night the School Board voted to unanimously terminate the $10,000 per year contract."
New Energy Guru Takes Long View
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, April 25, 2010
"At every opportunity, Gov. Bob McDonnell has broadly outlined his vision of making Virginia the East Coast’s energy center by tapping the seas for wind, gas and oil and using every resource available within the state’s 42,769 square miles. It’s up to Maureen Matsen to sweat the details as the governor’s energy adviser. "
Dominion Wins OK For Energy-Efficiency Rebate Programs
Virginian-Pilot, March 25, 2010
"State regulators have approved five of 11 energy-efficiency programs that Dominion Virginia Power has proposed, allowing additional charges to customers’ monthly bills to cover the costs of the new measures."
Virginia Energy-efficiency Rebates Available
Richmond Times Dispatch, March 25, 2010
"Rebates worth $10 million are available to help Virginia homeowners and small businesses reduce energy costs and implement renewable-energy systems."
Fitch Urges Council To Lead On Waste-to-Energy Plan
Fauquier Times-Democrat, March 12, 2010
"At the March work session, Warrenton Mayor George Fitch on March 4 once again asked the town council about its interest in taking the lead in a waste-to-energy project. Fitch has promoted a waste-to-energy plant at the county landfill for several years. It would convert garbage into electricity and fuel. The county initially expressed interest in participating, but that interest waned due to the project’s $50 million price tag. Who would pay it hasn’t been completely determined, but Fitch insists “private industry” will take all the risk. "
