Coal-fired power plants.
Critics say they're dirty, that it has enormous leave-behinds in the form of ash, pollutants like sulphuric acids, arsenic and loads of carbon dioxide, not to mention the costs - both quantifiable and non-quantifiable - for mining, disposing of leave-behinds, and illnesses in the local communities.
Doesn't sound like a really pleasant thing to be around, does it? Did you know that Virginia Tech has it's own power plant, and that it's fueled by coal, that dirtiest of fossil fuels?
Before you jump up and start making picket signs, check out this article by 16 Blocks Magazine - it might just give you a different perspective on new ways that 800 pound gorilla we call Virginia Tech is discovering to serve an increasing demand while minimizing its' impact. Think it isn't working? The systems installed in the Virginia Tech facility have resulted in "a ninety percent reduction in emissions and a smoke stack that hardly seems to smoke at all. By industry standards, an emissions opacity of ten percent is considered good. VTPP's opacity hovers between two and three percent, a level of smoke invisible even in broad daylight."
THAT's making a difference.
More photos of the plant on Flickr.
Just announced today, Tech's new energy initiatives. It's all part of Sustainability Week here in Blacksburg.
16 Blocks Magazine supplied the photo.
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Pandapas Pond is a gem just four miles from Blacksburg VA. It's a popular hiking and mountain biking spot, with trails that head off into the Jefferson National Forest. A lot of people just like to hang out on the banks of the scenic 8-acre pond, however. A man-made body of water, it serves as the headwaters for Poverty Creek.
Hiking trails surround the lake, with several more that head off into the Jefferson National Forest. The trail around the lake is nice and flat, and offers a scenic view of native fish, amphibians, birds and more. You can fish at the Pond (bass and bluegill, mostly, with some trout), but make sure to have appropriate licenses. There are picnic tables and benches that are placed around the Pond, and restrooms are available.
McAfee's Knob is one of the most scenic - and most photographed - sites on the Appalachian Trail. It features a breathtaking view of the Jefferson National Forest, Tinker Ridge and the Catawba Valley. Easily one of the most beautiful spots in Virginia's section of the Appalachian Trail.
More information on the Knob:
* http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/hiking/wb/xp-42910
* http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/stackpole/va_mcafee.htm
* http://www.thebackpacker.com/trails/va/trail_502.php
Did you know?
* The Appalachian Trail stretches 2175 miles, through 14 states and covers 250000 acres? Find out more at AppalachianTrail.org
The Current yesterday ran a "forum" piece regarding the proposed Blacksburg workforce housing project that's been hotly debated; it appears that the forum was a response to this October 5th editorial.
Please tell me this was a joke. Honestly. I'm confused as to the message this sends to community residents.
Quotes include:
Why is the Blacksburg Housing and Community Development Advisory Board determining that the best place to put an affordable housing project is outside the Town limits? At least on the Harding Avenue site we were attempting to annex the property so that it'd be within the Town boundaries and it has easier access to downtown, but to say the Merrimac Road location is the best solution is crazy. The whole goal of the project is to find a location where residents can easily interact with things happening within the Town while utilizing current roads, public transportation and walking and biking trails, but as it is now the Merrimac Road location is outside of Town limits, and provides no easy alternative to get in and out of the downtown area other than Price's Fork Road. I haven't driven it - yet - but I'd guess the Merrimac Road location is nearly 5 miles from Main Street and College Avenue, widely regarded as the "center" of downtown. The Harding Avenue location is maybe half that, and for the most part follows established bike paths and suburban streets? Furthermore, to extend Blacksburg Transit just to serve this community smacks of "thank us for our generosity." The Harding Avenue had a bus stop literally yards away, eliminating the need for heavy rerouting of buses and scheduling.
The forum goes on to say that the project will be green and efficient, and will be the first such project proposed in Virginia. If they're referring to affordable housing that may be the case, but I don't think it's the first EarthCraft certified community in the state, nor is it the first in Blacksburg.
I have a hard time understanding why Merrimac Road makes more sense. I think it just reeks of elitism and ulterior motives, and I hope you can work it out with the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors to fix this one.
Last month, I wrote "What Is A Home Inspection?" I fully intended to write more ... but I didn't.
Then Jay Thompson in Phoenix wrote about the home inspection from the Seller's point of view. I think he wrote it better than I could.
The seller should be looking at the inspection in much the same way as the buyer is:
"A home inspection for the purposes of this Contract is RESTRICTED TO DETERMINING ONLY that the plumbing (including well, well pump and septic systems, if any), heating, air conditioning (if any), electrical systems and appliances are in safe working order, there are no structural defects, and the roof is free of leaks. The home inspection and any subsequent inspections shall be at Purchaser's expense."
In our area of Virginia, if you agree in whole or in part to the repairs requested in the home inspection Amendment, make sure there is a completely ratified (signed and initialed) Amendment. The home inspection contingency is then removed and you can move forward with the Contract. As a seller, you want to make sure there's a specific dollar amount specified for repairs (it varies on what that amount is, sometimes as little as $500, but the Contract should state very clearly what that amount is. If you can't come to an agreement with the buyer regarding which repairs will be completed, then the Contract can be terminated (again, in writing), the buyer can get their earnest money back, and your house can be put back up for sale.
I can't say that we see many deals fall through over home inspections, but sometimes negotiations just don't work out as planned and the house has to go back on the market. Remember - if one buyer didn't like that the roof was falling apart, it's probably that another buyer's not going to like that either. If you can make some of the repairs suggested in the report prior to putting the house back up for sale, it might be a good idea. Another even better idea might be to have the house inspected prior to listing it; then you can provide potential buyers a little more confidence that yours is one they need to seriously consider.
Thanks Jay, for the great write-up.
Bifocals and Anderson.
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