Virginia ranked #1 in growth potential

Contributors

Business Facilities has ranked Virginia best in the nation in economic growth potential in its 2011 State Rankings Report. The rankings are based on an assessment of incentives programs, availability of a skilled workforce, growth strategy, cooperation between business, government and higher education and the growth potential of the location’s targeted industries. The report cites…

Kathleen Rogers: Don’t turn out lights on bulb innovation

Contributors

In a close vote, the House recently passed a provision that undercuts one of the most successful environmental programs of the decade – one that requires all bulbs – including the incandescent – to achieve higher efficiency levels. The amendment, which was tacked on to the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2012, delays…

Bolling in town to present $770K CDBG check

Contributors

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling is no stranger to Downtown Waynesboro. “I have waded this trout steam many times,” said Bolling, an avid fly fisherman, at a Thursday-morning ceremony on the banks of the South River to formally mark the award by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development of a $770,000 grant to Waynesboro…

Ken Plum: Environmental scores and attitudes

Letters

Among the groups keeping “score” on the actions of the General Assembly is the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. From among the thousands of votes cast by members of the House of Delegates and the State Senate the League chooses those votes of most importance to the environmental and conservation groups that make up their…

Virginia Tech adds meteorology degree

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved a new bachelor of science in meteorology during its quarterly meeting on June 6. The new degree program, which will reside in the College of Natural Resources and Environment’s geography department, will prepare students for careers in meteorology and weather forecasting with a significant focus on geospatial information…

Environmental leaders push alternative solution to high gas prices

Chris Graham

The leaders of the nation’s largest environmental groups today asked President Obama to create long-term relief for drivers at the pump by delivering the strongest fuel-efficiency and auto pollution standards for new vehicles currently under consideration. The administration will propose new fuel efficiency and auto pollution standards this September, with key decisions being made this…

Forum to detail issues with fracking

Contributors

A request for a special-use permit that would allow a Texas-based energy company to drill for natural gas in Rockingham County is perhaps permanently on the table. Locals still need to arm themselves with knowledge of the process known as hydrofracture that companies use to extract natural gas from the ground and its long list…