Staunton Green 2020

Mark your calendars, we’ve set a date for the first biomass energy presentation. We’ve asked people to come and speak on the topic of growing switchgrass as a fuel alternative here in Staunton.

Where: Mary Baldwin College’s Francis Auditorium
When: Thursday, January 21 — 7-8:30 p.m.

There is no cost to attend but we will request an RSVP closer to the date.

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Tonight is your chance to comment on how the City of Staunton can enhance, restore and better manage our “green infrastructure” — an important meeting to attend! This is part of Staunton’s collaboration with the UVA School of Architecture.

Come to Bessie Weller Elementary School’s cafeteria to ask questions and give your opinion from 5pm until 7pm (Thursday, November 12).

Tuesday, November 17 the UVA students will hold a workshop with the steering committee to debrief public comments gathered at the Public Open House.  The workshop is scheduled for 9:00 am until 11:00 am in Council Chambers, City Hall.

For more information, check out the City of Staunton’s Planning and Inspections home page announcing the Public Open House.

…and by “grass” we mean exactly that: the green vegetation in your yard right now that is a hassle to maintain. Wouldn’t it be better if your grassy yard actually did more to benefit the environment?

It can, and, SG2020 will be exploring the issue in depth starting this January. As you may know, switchgrass is an alternative fuel source that can grow right here.

We’d like you to be involved. Send us your thoughts and ideas for this series of events.

• What would you like to know about switchgrass?
• Do you have suggestions about public or private places in Staunton to grow it?
• Would you be willing to allow us to replant your yard next Spring as an example?
• What other topics would be of interest for us to explore together?

Drop us an email (stauntongreen2020 ~at~ gmail.com) or leave a comment here or at Facebook.

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Are you aware that improperly discarded medication is polluting our environment, locally and nationally? It’s a big issue relating to clean water and healthy soil.

Augusta Health is sponsoring an event this Saturday (November 7) where you can safely discard old prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Interview with Waynesboro City Councilwoman Lorie Smith (courtesy AFP):

Find more details about Operation Medical Cabinet in an article at Augusta Free Press.

Are you eligible for an energy efficiency rebate?

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME), Division of Energy will provide up to $15 million in rebates for energy efficiency measures and equipment to retrofit homes and commercial property, and up to $15 million in rebates for renewable energy equipment and systems for residential and commercial applications.

An online form to request a conditional reservation of funds is available here:
http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/SEPRebate.shtml

Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebates will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. A two-step process will be used to allocate the money. First, applicants will request a conditional reservation of funds. When a reservation is confirmed, funds will be set aside while the applicant is allowed up to 180 days to complete work. The second part of the rebate process requires the applicant who successfully reserved funds to provide documentation of costs and compliance with all program requirements in order to receive a rebate check.

Questions about the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program should be directed to the following email address: FAQefficient -AT- dmme.virginia.gov

Questions will be answered by DMME and posted to a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the website, here:
http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/SEPRebate.shtml

Don’t forget: there is also money available to those who qualify to weatherize of your home. If you don’t qualify for either of these programs, please tell someone who may…

Reminder: November 3rd is election day! Make your voice heard in Staunton and in Virginia’s 20th District.

Take some time between now and Tuesday to study the local ballot—and then go use your vote to help decide how you want our community improve our environment! Links to official websites below.

Dickie Bell (R)
Erik Curren (D)

SG2020 remains non-partisan.
(Disclosure: SG2020 was co-founded by Erik Curren as a private citizen.)

As cold weather approaches you might be wondering if you can afford to do some weatherization upgrades around your home or apartment.

Thankfully, the state of Virginia (through the U.S. Department of Energy) offers a range of grants to make energy-efficient improvements to those with low- to moderate-level incomes. Do you qualify?

Here are the links you’ll need to get started.

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development – Weatherization FAQs. It details the kind of work the grants cover, such as

• Sealing air leaks with insulation, caulking, and weather-stripping;
• Installation of ventilation fans;
• Repairing drafty duct systems;
• Repairing and replacing inefficient or unsafe heating and cooling systems; and
• Installation of energy efficient lighting

Download the PDF with income requirements here.

Staunton residents will need to make arrangements through the office of Community Energy Conservation Program, 1819 Broadway, Charlottesville, VA 22902 [they also cover: Counties of Albemarle, Augusta, Fluvanna,
Greene, Highland, Louisa, Nelson and Rockingham; Cities of Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Waynesboro].

Contact: Linda Rayner
Phone: (434) 293-3777
E-mail: lrcecp-AT-aol.com (Add an @ symbol in place of -AT- when emailing)

As the election time draws closer there is a lot of discussion about the “green economy”.  (Here’s our growing list of Staunton’s green businesses – let us know if you know of another to add!)

The National Governor’s Association Center for Best Practices released a study about the emerging green economy in each state.

For your convenience Virginia’s profile is available below.

Virginia: Profile of the Green Economy

Which environmental issues are the most important to you this coming election?

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Did you know? Virginia has the highest percentage of U.S. vanity license plates. Soon, vegetarians and vegans can join the ranks of specialty Virginia plates. If enough people reserve the “veggie plate” by November 30th, it will happen. The proposed plate design is below. Here’s how to get yours.

What does this have to do with SG2020’s goals?

Dietary choices are highly personal. Reducing your meat consumption helps reduce carbon emissions because conventional factory farming is so resource intensive. Choosing to abstain from meat just one day a week (e.g. “Meatless Mondays”) can save you money and be good for your health, too.

If you can’t imagine giving up meat entirely a better option is to buy locally-raised and locally-slaughtered meat. This meat production requires less transportation than meat from the supermarket chain and raised more humanely. Two local options are Polyface Farms and T&E Meats.

Honk if you’re eating for the planet!

(Disclosure: I am co-owner of  George Bowers Grocery, a local retail outlet for Polyface and T&E meats. I’m also a longtime vegetarian!)

proposed Virginia Vegetarian license plate

Come to the Awakening Common Unity program at Gypsy Hill Park today from noon to six.

There will be natural health products, services, and food against a backdrop of relaxing entertainment all day. Come out and say hello to SG2020 member Gena Adams.

For more information click here.