Related Articles: 2020 Voter Guide Marine veteran and Rappahannock resident John Lesinski wants to do his part to make the world better. Lesinski, who has also served in local government and state-level appointed positions, considers climate policy one of his biggest priorities if elected to Congress. He met with Charlottesville Tomorrow for warm tea on […]
Category: Health and safety
These are stories about health care, environmental issues, policing, crime, the stresses of inequities — all the things that make us healthy or unhealthy in expected and unexpected ways.
Posted inHealth and safety
Fuel-switching? What you need to know about electric vehicles
All was silent when I pushed the power button to turn on the Nissan LEAF I was about to drive on an unseasonably warm January day. As I drove around backroads near U.S. 29, the electric vehicle felt like driving any other car — except that I knew I was driving what could become the […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Health and safety
The city of Charlottesville owns a gas utility. How does it work?
Climate resiliency was one of the dominating topics in Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s elections. Both localities also set emissions goals to become carbon neutral by 2050. So, where does the city-operated gas utility — which services both — fit in, and how does it currently operate? Key Points The city and county have goals of […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Health and safety, Soundboard
Soundboard: The Wheels on the Bus Reduce Carbon Emissions
Related Articles: Carpooling carbon footprints: Public transportation’s role in climate resiliency Legislators, local organizations unveil Virginia Clean Economy Act The Wheels on the Bus Reduce Carbon Emissions Credit: WTJU We bring you an overview of the Charlottesville Area Transit system. Public transportation is essential for many community members to get to work and school, and […]
Posted inHealth and safety, How-to
The path to net zero
The city, county, and governor set greenhouse gas emissions goals. Now what? The future may not mean the flying cars of science fiction, but it could mean more electric vehicles; robust public transportation and urban planning with bike/pedestrian thoroughfares; and a greener energy grid overall. With Gov. Ralph Northam having outlined a goal for a […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Carpooling carbon footprints: Public transportation’s role in climate resiliency
Related Articles: Legislators, local organizations unveil Virginia Clean Economy Act Area looking toward composting to reduce carbon footprint UVa vehicle fleet gets a little greener When former Charlottesville Tomorrow reporter Sean Tubbs purchased his Fifeville home in 2008, part of its appeal was its proximity to a Charlottesville Area Transit bus stop. For five years, […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Health and safety, Our neighborhoods
The Rundown: City Council to reconfigure for new terms; developments up for votes
Related Articles: The Rundown: City Council preview for Dec. 16 Monday marks the first Charlottesville City Council meeting of the year. It’s also the first meeting of the three recently elected councilors. And it’s the day a new mayor and vice mayor could be chosen. Before the resolutions and ordinances get underway, Mayor Nikuyah Walker […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Health and safety
Legislators, local organizations unveil Virginia Clean Economy Act
On a recent December day, Charlottesville-based Sun Tribe Solar worked to install solar panels on the roofs of Powhatan Elementary and Middle schools. Once operational, the panels will generate energy for the Powhatan County schools. Large-scale solar projects like this have been made possible through a pilot program Virginia launched in 2013 that allowed for […]
Posted inHealth and safety
Area looking toward composting to reduce carbon footprint
What would the future of composting look like in the region? Local stakeholders and an out-of-state company are trying to figure that out. As Albemarle County and the city of Charlottesville work on developing clear paths to reduce their impacts on climate, the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority — which serves both localities — recently conducted […]
Posted inHealth and safety
Rivanna water quality has impact downstream
The James River Association recently released its State of the James report, giving the body of water a B- rating for 2018. As the river flows for more than 400 miles through Virginia, creating a portion of Albemarle County’s southern border along its voyage to the Chesapeake Bay, its health is a hefty indicator of […]
