Energized by Efficiency: SOCM members and their dedication to reducing energy waste

Blog Archives

Energized by Efficiency: SOCM members and their dedication to reducing energy waste

By | December 13, 2017

Over the last two years, SOCM’s Cumberland County Chapter has advocated for on-bill financing program for energy efficiency at their electric co-op, Volunteer Energy Cooperative.

The fight against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is not over

By | August 3, 2017

As expected, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently gave a glowing review to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, overlooking the threats to wetlands, forest, drinking waters and indigenous populations along the pipeline’s proposed route.

Governor McAuliffe announces cap on carbon pollution in Virginia

By | May 18, 2017

In the face of a federal administration bent on rolling back key environmental protections and ignoring climate science, Governor McAuliffe took bold action Tuesday to limit greenhouse gas pollution in Virginia.

Cutting carbon pollution in Virginia: Governor McAuliffe should finish what he started

By | April 5, 2017

In his final year in office, Governor McAuliffe can cement a powerful legacy on climate and the economy by leading the way on environmental protection and climate action.

Unnecessary and unwanted: Opposition to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline grows

By | March 22, 2017

The public has taken every opportunity to tell FERC to reject the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. There’s still time to add your voice to the choir of people across the country urging FERC to reject the unnecessary and unwanted project.

FERC’s pipeline review process is broken

By | February 20, 2017

It’s no secret: oil and gas pipelines have captured the nation’s attention, not to mention the new administration’s. But new research is refuting the industry’s pro-pipeline arguments and even a former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is calling for greater scrutiny of proposed natural gas infrastructure projects.

Gov. Cooper nominates new environmental secretary

By | January 4, 2017

Michael Regan, who was appointed this week as secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, pledged to increase transparency at the agency.

Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed Michael Regan as the next secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. Regan pledged to develop greater transparency at the agency. That alone could signal a shift from the prior DEQ leadership’s approach to public engagement on environmental issues.

Duke Energy’s empire grows with natural gas

By | October 4, 2016

The pivot toward gas is especially pronounced in the eastern U.S., with Duke at the forefront of a historic fuel switch.

Duke Energy’s purchase of Piedmont Natural Gas was finalized this week after North Carolina utility regulators signed off on the deal. The acquisition is only the latest development in a regionwide push to expand natural gas investments and infrastructure that foreshadows an energy future experts are urging us to avoid.

Do-It-Yourself tips for energy efficiency: Heating & Cooling

By | August 26, 2016

Education is a key part of our work, and one way we are helping residents lower their energy costs is by creating and sharing some short videos with Do-It-Yourself energy efficiency tip. This video features John Kidda, founder and President of reNew Homes, Inc., in Boone, N.C., discusses programmable thermostats as a way to save on heating and cooling.

New law puts coal ash progress in NC at risk

By | August 2, 2016

The rushed introduction, concurrence and signing of North Carolina House Bill 630 puts at risk many aspects of the progress that residents and environmental groups have made since the introduction of the Coal Ash Management Act in 2014.