Kaine pushes Southside towards a greener future

Comment:  No to uranium mining or nuke power which is sometimes referred to as the alternative energy!

January 14, 2010

If the future is moving closer to cleaner and alternative energy, Governor Tim Kaine wants Virginia to be a part of it.

"If we can find a way to help our farms and forests...be a part of the new energy economy, it's definitely going to help Southside Virginia," said Kaine.

At a news conference in Martinsville, Kaine announced $10 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go towards 15 different energy projects across the Commonwealth.

The Martinsville Sanitary Landfill is receiving $1 million to convert gas from the landfill into electricity for the city. It will create three jobs and save the city money.

"It's going to give us an opportunity to show what technology is available," said Leon Towarnicki, with the landfill. "Hopefully whatever we do here can be used as a model for other communities to look at in pattern, a project from what we are doing."

Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars will go to Red Birch Energy in Bassett where Canola seeds are turned into bio diesel.

The money will help them figure out how to turn the plants' only byproducts into electricity.

"We are just really excited to be able to take this to the next level now and try to create some more jobs here," said Gary Sink, president of Red Birch Energy.

"Instead of just going to the fuel pump, and sending all of our money overseas to countries that hate us, we can keep that money in the community and create jobs," said Congressman Tom Perriello.

Leaders don't just see this as a way for Southside Virginia to boost its economy but for the area to lead the way in energy reform.

List of projects receiving grants:

•Cephas Industries, Inc. of Richmond
•Christiansburg Water Treatment Facility
•Community Energy Independence in Fauquier Co.
•Dairy Energy, Inc. in Chatham
•Environmental Solutions, Inc. of Chesterfield Co.
•Wood Fuel Developers in Greensville co.
•Martinsville Sanitary Landfill
•Piedmont Geriatric Hospital in Nottoway Co.
•Red Birch Energy, Inc. of Bassett
•Western Virginia Water Authority
•Rockingham Regional Hospital in Harrisonburg
•Toigo's King George Greenhouse
•Wise Correctional Unit 18 in Coeburn
•Women's Correctional Center in Goochland Co.
•Ag-Renewable Resources, LLC in Cumberland Co.

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http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=11825040