Adventures in May
It’s May 5 and the absence from my blog postings on energy and issues has been due to several adventures on these fronts. Certainly news and thoughts on Progress Energy’s next efforts coming up.
Along with that adventure, it turned out a certain developer in Henderson County has laid claim to developing several tracts along the French Broad river with conservation areas and wetlands and floodplains in a small community that would be impacted by run off, water levels, sewer issues, existing traffic safety and congestion issues, air quality problems, fire services issues, school infrastructure questions, energy demands, floodplain remapping, sewer pump stations in a wetlands, wildlife and habitat loss …… all amid pending new regulations that might address some of these very issues…. You can imagine my surprise!
So, looked into it and testified at a vested right hearings, because the developer claims a right to do what he wants despite the unresolved problems. Fortunately, the County Commissioners decided to deliberate the matter, and postponed granting them the right to destroy this area. We’ll see what happens May 16th, next time it’s on the agenda.
Back to Energy, Progress Energy is rumored to be rooting about looking for a new location for another oil fired power plant. At least we can hope it’s oil, they also are quite fond of nuclear power, let’s not forget. The Canary Coalition has successfully gotten the public documents to prove legally that the lease for the Woodfin site, which Progress still has for $1 a year, let’s not forget, is invalid. They put a lot of effort and time and money into it, so if it’s OK in a blog, may I suggest you send a donation to the Canary Coalition Legal Fund. They are in the red on this, so thanks to them for going above the call of duty. So, the lease issue is not over yet until it’s voided. Might be good to ention this to elected officials?
On a related note of the Progress efforts, since Progress Energy refused to share and data on energy use, consumption, habits and so forth, and since this is information critical to figuring out what we really can - and can’t - do, there’s now the website survey www.oursoutherncommunity.org for Residential Energy use. This is 42 questions and takes between 10-15 minutes at most, asking if you think planning for a sustainable energy future makes sense. You can also say no, it doesn’t. The Goal: 10,000 respondents from WNC by Energy Independence Day, July 4th. If you love America…. Please pass the website link onto friends and organizations in WNC if you think planning makes sense.
While I am responisble for this website and survey, I should express thanks to the many great folks that have been meeting ad hoc to discuss and act on issues. Canary Coalition, NIRS, CWforNC, CSNC, WNCA, TTA, SACE, WNCPSR, RT, and the elected reps and private folks that have asked the questions have helped me to build the survey. If it works to change the course of our energy future, they get the credit.