Save the Blue Ridge

President Obama’s Budget Protects the Environment 2/01/2010

Washington, DC--Today the Obama Administration released its budget proposal for the 2011 fiscal year. The budget demonstrates President’s commitment to investing in clean energy and stopping global warming, building green infrastructure, reducing our use of dirty fossil fuels, and protecting America’s public lands and clean water.

Plug-in Cars: Powering America Towards a Cleaner Future 1/20/2010

America’s current fleet of gasoline-powered cars and trucks leaves us dependent on oil, contributes to air pollution problems that threaten our health, and produces large amounts of global warming pollution. “Plug-in” cars are emerging as an effective way to lower global warming emissions, oil use, and smog. A “plug-in” car is one that can be recharged from the electric grid. Some plug-in cars run on electricity alone, while others are paired with small gasoline engines to create plug-in hybrids. Many plug-in hybrids can get over 100 miles per gallon, while plug-in electric vehicles consume no gasoline at all.

Unfulfilled Promise: The Million Acre Initiative and the Need to Protect North Carolina's Open Spaces 1/14/2010

From the Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, North Carolina is renowned for its natural beauty. Unfortunately, rapid development over the past several decades has threatened many of our most treasured open spaces. Recognizing the importance of preserving our natural places for future generations, North Carolina’s General Assembly established the Million Acre Initiative to protect one million acres of land between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2009. While many important and beautiful places were protected in the process, it is now clear that North Carolina has fallen short of this goal. At the start of a new decade, it is vital that North Carolina redouble its commitment to protecting important natural lands from development.

N.C. and V.A. push to add 50,000 acres along parkway 1/27/2010

Sens. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., will join their Virginia counterparts in seeking federal money to buy up to 50,000 acres along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Wind Power Has Grows 39% for the Year 1/27/2010

Despite a crippling recession and tight credit markets, the American wind power industry grew at a blistering pace in 2009, adding 39 percent more capacity. The country is close to the point where 2 percent of its electricity will come from wind turbines.

Charlotte to seek $25 million federal grant for street car 1/26/2010

Charlotte is going to ask the federal government for $25million to help build a streetcar line uptown. The City Council voted 7-4 Monday night to apply for a grant that would pay for much of a 1.5-mile line from the Charlotte Transportation Center to Presbyterian Hospital on Hawthorne Drive in the Elizabeth neighborhood.