Federal agency moving forward with offshore wind energy plan

AFP

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced on Thursday that it is moving forward with the next step in offshore wind energy development off the Virginia coast. The BOEM is publishing the call for information and nominations aimed at industry interest in locations off the Virginia coast for commercial wind energy leases. The call is…

The Y goes green: $103K solar project largest in state of Virginia

Chris Graham

Sigora Solar and the Waynesboro Family YMCA are teaming up on what will be the largest thermal solar installation in the state of Virginia. The system will consist of 40 panels covering approximately 1,600 square feet of space mounted on custom-engineered and -built aluminum rack on the YMCA’s roof. The $103,000 project is being funded…

Kaine: ‘All of the above’ on energy

AFP

The black-white debate on energy production between Republicans and Democrats generally speaking comes down to the merits of oil production vs. clean energy. It doesn’t have to be an either-or proposition, though. “We need to use every domestic source that we have. But I think we ought to be preparing for a long-term shift toward…

McDonnell outlines energy agenda

AFP

Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled today a series of recommendations for the 2012 General Assembly session that will advance Virginia’s role as the energy capital of the East Coast. “Virginia is blessed with a bounty of natural resources that can aid in our nation’s growing need for affordable and reliable energy sources,” McDonnell said. “From the…

Emily Briley: How America’s military is helping America with renewable energy

AFP

Antibiotics, jet travel, the Internet and GPS. Those are just a few things made possible by military investments that paved the way for mainstream commercial applications benefiting millions of Americans. The same process is going on with the military and renewable energy.  And what makes the process today all the more beneficial is the human…

Solar array at EMU exceeds output expectations

AFP

Judging by its performance over the past 10 months, the solar energy system at Eastern Mennonite University will exceed the annual guaranteed power production by 12 percent, according to officials at Secure Futures, the company that owns and operates the system at EMU. Secure Futures guaranteed an annual output of 126,783 kilowatt hours of electricity…

Meeting on jobs and energy next week in Staunton

Chris Graham

WHAT: “Beyond Pain at the Pump: What is Peak Oil and What Does It Mean to You?” a community conversation on jobs, energy and our local economy. WHEN: Tuesday, September 13, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. WHERE: Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave. WHO: Speakers will include Jeff Sties, sustainable architect and owner of Sunbiosis PC…

Investors support solar power in their community through first-ever ‘solar CDs’

AFP

Secure Futures LLC, developer of the 104 kW solar energy system at Eastern Mennonite University, today announced that it has closed a $110,000 loan backed entirely by the nation’s first ever “Solar Certificate of Deposit.” Sold through Park View Federal Credit Union, based in Harrisonburg, funds collected by the Solar CDs will secure a $110,000…

New voluntary Solar Resource Development Fund to help finance solar installations

AFP

Online donations to the Voluntary Solar Resource Development Fund created by the 2011 Virginia General Assembly are now being accepted, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) announced today. The Fund is intended to provide capital for a revolving loan program to be created and administered by DMME for the purpose of financing…

McDonnell signs clean-energy legislation

AFP

Gov. Bob McDonnell signed eight pieces of new legislation today at a ceremony at the VCU School of Business to promote the clean and renewable energy industry in Virginia and to spur development of new pilot projects and technologies that will promote reliable and affordable energy for Virginia’s families, businesses and industry. The legislation will…