Landfill Solar? Duke Energy Gets Regulatory Green Light in NC

Charlotte Stories
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Landfill Solar? Duke Energy Gets Regulatory Green Light in NC

North Carolina regulators recently approved Duke Energy’s 5-megawatt (MW) solar project in Buncombe County – the company’s first that will be located on a retired county landfill.

The N.C. Utilities Commission gave the project the green light to begin construction. Duke Energy and Buncombe County will team up on the project. Duke Energy will own and operate the 5-MW solar power plant located on the closed Buncombe County landfill in Woodfin – near Interstate 26 and the French Broad River.

“This innovative project enjoyed great stakeholder and local support and will continue the growth of renewable energy in North Carolina,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president.

The plant is expected to be in service by the end of 2021 and will produce enough energy annually to power about 1,000 homes and businesses.

“The people of Buncombe County recognize climate protection as one of the most urgent issues facing our world today,” said County Board of Commission Chairman Brownie Newman. “The solar landfill project is an important part of our initial strategy to accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy. We are excited to see it move forward.”

The new solar plant will help meet the county’s 2030 renewable energy goals, while providing energy to Duke Energy Progress customers in the Carolinas.

Sourcing its renewables from local generation was identified as a top priority during the county’s renewable energy community engagement process. This project will allow the county to reach nearly 20% of its renewable goal with locally sourced clean energy. 

Background

The landfill stopped operating in 1996. To avoid disturbing the ground covering, the solar racking system will be built on concrete blocks instead of being anchored into the ground. Underground cabling will be kept to a minimum. Check out video footage of the site.

The project will be located on 25 acres and will be connected to the Duke Energy Progress power grid. Under a 25-year agreement, the county will lease the land to Duke Energy. For Buncombe County to include the solar power generated toward its 100% renewable energy goal, it will own the renewable energy certificates (REC) from the Duke Energy power plant to offset the energy used from the county’s operations. In exchange, Buncombe County is allowing Duke Energy to utilize the property at no cost.   

As part of the overall Western Carolinas Modernization Project, Duke Energy finished construction of the $817 million Asheville Combined Cycle Station, which became fully operational in 2020. The new station replaced a 344-megawatt, two-unit coal plant at the Asheville site, which retired in early 2020.

The company’s efforts in the region also include increased participation in energy efficiency and conservation programs to reduce energy usage, a battery storage project in Asheville and a solar and battery microgrid system in neighboring Madison County.  In total, 15 MW of solar and 5 MW of battery will be deployed in the region as part of the Western Carolinas Modernization Project.

Duke Energy is a national leader in renewable energy. It operates more than 40 solar power plants in North Carolina. The state is ranked third in the nation for overall solar generation.

Charlotte Ranked 3rd Best City for BBQ in America

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Ranked 3rd Best City for BBQ in America

It’s now May (aka ‘National Barbecue Month’). In honor of the month, the website Chef’s Pencil decided to do some research to find out which city makes the best smoked meat.

They used TripAdvisor’s rankings to analyze America’s 75 largest cities and which have the most liked BBQ restaurants

Top findings:

  • New Orleans (1st) and Oklahoma City (2nd) were determined to be the best overall cities for BBQ.
  • Charlotte, Wichita, and Virginia Beach tied for the 3rd spot with a score of 4.25.
  • Chicago, Los Angeles, and Austin had the highest number of top-rated BBQ joints (rated 4.5 stars and higher).
  • Blue Door Smokehouse in Lexington, Kentucky was found to be the best BBQ restaurant in the nation, according to online reviews.
Best Cities for BBQ in America

 

Charlotte has made big strides in our BBQ game over the past few years. With an average rating of 4.25, Charlotte ranks well ahead of local rivals Raleigh (score 4.0) and Greensboro (score 3.95).

What do you think about BBQ in Charlotte?

What’s your favorite BBQ spot in Charlotte?

Charlotte Region Home Sales Activity Shows Seller Confidence On The Rise

Steve
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Charlotte Region Home Sales Activity Shows Seller Confidence On The Rise

As North Carolina continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions, April home sales, unhampered by the pandemic-induced lockdowns of last spring, rose 24.8 percent year-over-year, with 4,678 homes sold across the Charlotte region. This time last year, residential home sales activity was interrupted and declined nearly 21 percent year-over-year, as both buyers and sellers were sidelined during lockdowns, imposed to slow the spread of the virus.

According to data from Canopy MLS, there were 3,749 properties sold in April 2020, which roughly equates to the same level of sales activity the region had in April 2015, when the market fully recovered from the Great Recession of 2008. Sales compared to the month of March 2021, were down 1.4 percent. These are completed transactions that include single-family homes, condos and townhomes across the 16-county Charlotte region.

Pending contracts, or contracts where offers have been submitted, but have not yet closed, rose 46.3 percent year-over-year and totaled 5,453, compared to 3,727 contracts submitted in April 2020. Compared to March 2021 however, contract activity is down 3.9 percent. Seller activity increased significantly in April, rising 32.5 percent year-over-year as 5,711 properties were listed.  New listing activity compared to March 2021 was also positive, rising a modest 3.4 percent month-over-month. However, inventory is still challenged and fell 66.8 percent leaving 3,018 homes for sale or 0.6 months of supply, which means the region continues to hold steady, at 18 days of supply for a third consecutive month. Last April in the midst of lockdowns, there was 2.1 months of supply.

MLS President David Kennedy said, “As COVID-19 vaccinations and reopening continues, we are encouraged by April’s sales activity, particularly growth in new listings, which should help buyers with more choice. Remote learning and work-from-home situations have kept many sellers from listing, but with summer approaching, we may see more seller activity.”

With inventory challenges across the Charlotte region, prices continue to rise. Both the median sales price ($315,000) and the average sales price ($377,643) increased last month, rising 14.5 percent and 16.4 percent year-over-year, respectively. The average list price of $416,042 rose 24.4 percent year-over-year, and the original list price to sales price ratio registered 101.0 percent, which means that on average, sellers in April 2021, sold their homes for more than the original list price. Homes continue to sell quickly, as indicated by days on market averaging 20 days in April 2021 versus 39 days in April 2020.

Kennedy continued” Buyers are facing higher home prices and falling affordability, and without an increase in supply, the wealth division will continue to widen as homeowners enjoy growth in equity, while some renters will struggle to become homeowners. Sales in April would have been much higher had there been more inventory.”

Canopy Realtor Association provides monthly reports on residential real estate market activity for the Charlotte Metro region based on data from Canopy MLS. The Charlotte Metro region, which this report is based on, consists of the following 16-counties: Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties in North Carolina; and Chester, Chesterfield, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

For more residential-housing market statistics, visit www.CarolinaHome.com and click on “Market Data.”

How to Write to a Friend in Prison (and What to Say in Your Letter)

Silvia Woolard
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How to Write to a Friend in Prison (and What to Say in Your Letter)

Do you have a friend who’s been sentenced to prison? You might want to send them a letter but you may find it difficult to know what to write.

Few of us write personal letters these days – except, perhaps, to elderly relatives. We’re used to communicating with friends through social media or maybe email. So sitting down to write a physical letter can feel awkward and perhaps strangely formal.

Here are some tips to help you with writing to a friend in prison.

Finding Your Friend’s Contact Details, e.g. in Utah

Before you can write to your friend, you’ll need to know their inmate ID number. This should be included on the envelope and at the top of your letter itself.

To find their inmate ID number, you can simply run an online search. You can do this by county, if you’re not sure what institution they’re in – for instance, you could search for prisoners in Utah with the same first name and last name as your friend.

If you know where your friend has been incarcerated, you can search that specific institution. For example, if they’re in Davis County Jail, you can look them up in Davis’ inmate roster.

Understanding the Rules About Sending Letters

As you might expect, there are strict rules about what you can and can’t include in a letter to an inmate.

The rules vary from institution to institution. In general, you shouldn’t include:

  • Any decorations (e.g. stickers) 
  • Any perfume on the letter or envelope
  • Any items with your letter, apart from a photo (check for size restrictions on the photo)
  • Anything sexually explicit – either in writing or as a photo or drawing
  • Anything related to a criminal offense
  • Anything racist or homophobic

The letter will be examined by prison officials before it’s passed on to the inmate. Make sure you check the specific rules for the jail or prison where your friend is being held, to ensure you’re sticking to those.

What to Say in Your Letter

There’s no “right” or “wrong” about how to write a letter to an inmate. You can type the letter on a computer and print it, or you can handwrite it, whichever you prefer.

In your letter, you could:

  • Ask open-ended questions, like “How are things going?”, “How are you spending your time?” or “Is there anything I can send for you?” Sending money is almost certain to be helpful.
  • Tell your friend about life outside prison. While you might fear this will make them miss being outside even more, most prisoners say that they really appreciated details of normal life outside.
  • Share news from mutual friends or family members – if possible, focus on positive news here. Perhaps a friend has a new job or a new baby, for instance.
  • Reminisce about happy memories from times you shared with your friend.
  • Write about a hobby or interest that you have in common.
  • Let them know how often you think you’ll be able to be in touch. (E.g. “I’ll try to write every month.”) If you’re only writing as a one-off, say so, as it can be very hard on prisoners to expect letters that never arrive.

Avoid saying anything unkind: your friend probably knows full well that they’ve hurt or let down people on the outside. Reassure them of your continued friendship, rather than berating them about what they’ve done wrong.

Be careful about any inside jokes that could be construed by guards as a coded message. It’s probably best to keep your language simple and direct.

Writing to a friend in prison might take a little time – but it will mean a huge amount to your friend.

Tracking a package 101

Suzy S
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Tracking a package 101

Are you anticipating the arrival of your package desperately? Or are you unaware about the arrival time of your package and want to be present to receive it? On the off chance that you receive a lot of packages from abroad by means of various shipping companies, you can simply track your package instead of being on your toes at all times. Tracking a package has become insanely simple now. With services like SpeedPAKtracking, you can track your package all the way throughout its journey. 

These international parcel tracking companies cover all the aspects including administrations, sending out affirmations, global transportation and import customs leeway and several other packing procedures. Innovation has now progressed to an incredible level that every level of packaging has become simpler at this point. The majority of the delivery organizations like presently work with a PIN or a tracking number.

It can successfully be concluded that the major issue with tracking is regarding the current location of the package. Tracking does not provide the exact coordinates of your package it only hints you about where the package was last examined. This implies that when you are following a request at the present time, you would be seeing the details of the last place where the package was filtered.

Now how do you track your package exactly, can be laid out in multiple ways:

  • Entering up the tracking numbers

Type in the following number for your parcel. Your number might be somewhere in the range of 10-22 letters and numbers. Look on your transportation receipt or affirmation email to find the number. Type it in totally and hit the Track button. If your package has been conveyed, the tracker will list where it was left, for example, within a lockbox or on the entryway porch. If you ordered something from a site and lost your affirmation email, return to the site you requested from and take a gander at your past orders. Most occasions, you’ll discover a tracking number recorded.

  • Send a Text or call a postal service helpline of your respected country

Check with your country’s postal assistance to inspect whether they offer content updates. The help may request that you select in for text alerts on your parcel so you can be refreshed when your bundle is conveyed. 

  • A simple yet effective way; Google

If nothing else works, or seems too complicated, you should simply try googling with something like ‘track IO987654321’ and google will attempt to sort out who the transporter is and get you to the following information. All of your orders will definitely have tracking numbers and most of them are always equipped with GPS coordinates and so efficient use of technology will definitely provide effective results. You can follow a similar procedure for any courier company and monitor all that they have made a beeline for you. At the point when the package is on the courier company’s truck for conveyance, they’ll show a guide with the area of the truck as it advances towards your location.

Most courier companies promise to deliver your package within 8-12 working days after receiving from the seller. For instance, if you order from an e-commerce site then most of the sellers provide you with an electronic e-receipt which most of the time contains an ID number, date of order and tracking details. It is also common to send a confirmation email. 

To conclude, the key point to take away is that the tracking ID should never be lost. For most of the cases the tracking data is pretty much dead accurate. So the next time your parcel is on its way and you simply can’t wait for it to arrive, track it with these simple methods so that you know your courier’s exact whereabouts.

The Charlotte Region’s First Major Casino Just Announced Their First Job Fair

Charlotte Stories
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The Charlotte Region’s First Major Casino Just Announced Their First Job Fair

As the Charlotte region’s first casino moves closer toward completion, they just announced a major job fair for positions in the first phase.

Catawba’s Two Kings Casino will be hiring 200 employees for their first phase temporary gaming facility.

The job fair will take place from 12pm-8pm on May 19th and 8am-4pm on May 20th at the Cleveland Community College Event Center (1800 E. Marion St., Shelby,NC).

They will be looking for positions in finance, marketing and surveillance, cage personnel, drop team members, slot techs and attendants, housekeeping personnel, security staff, bartenders, cocktail servers, culinary and guest service representatives and various supervisory positions.

Once all phases are complete, the casino will include over 195,000-square-feet with 1,796 electronic gaming devices and 54 table games in the main casino, as well as a 1,500 room hotel, several restaurants with seating for 940 people, and a full concert and event venue.

Here are some newly released images of what will soon be the closest casino to Charlotte:

The facility will be located at northwestern quadrant of the intersection of Kings Mountain Blvd. and I-85 (Exit 5) in Kings Mountain, about 30 miles west of Charlotte:

What do you think about the new casino?

Knight Foundation Investing $1 Million For “Tech Brigades” in Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
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Knight Foundation Investing $1 Million For “Tech Brigades” in Charlotte

The John S. and James L.  Knight Foundation has just announced a massive new $1 million investment to help our local CFA “Tech Brigade” in Charlotte, providing increased training for tech talent across our city.

The five-year commitment brings Knight’s investment in Code for America and its mission to nearly $10  million since 2010. Code for America’s mission is to build a network of cities, citizens, community groups  and startups committed to using digital technology to help the government work better for everyone.  

This new investment will give local Tech Brigade  leaders training to support volunteer engagement, mobilization and retention; increase grassroots  fundraising; and experiment with new revenue models. They will also be given technical tools and  project-management support to carry out new projects and build a blueprint of sustainable models that  better integrate Brigades into local civic tech ecosystems. 

“Code for America is the preeminent organization that promotes resident-driven government in the  digital age,” said Lilian Coral, Knight’s director of national strategy and technology innovation. “Their  efforts to create successful community-led systems that support technology innovation has been  successful. The opportunity before us is to support the Brigades, so that they can be resilient and  sustainable in improving how the government serves the public in a digital society.” 

There are now 25,000 Code for America volunteers in 85 chapters that cover 41 states, working together  to identify priority issues for the network and create digital solutions that can be replicated across  communities. Brigades bring together community organizers, developers and designers to collaborate  with local government and community partners to build new tools that help address local civic issues. 

In 2020, a year of multiple crises, local Brigades led numerous efforts in response to the pandemic by  developing more than 100 COVID-19-specific projects and 307 total projects that reached 5 million  people and directly served over 700,000. “They help make government services more accessible and  easier for people to understand and use — which in turn, help make citizens more informed and  engaged,” Coral said. 

“All levels of government in the digital age should work for the people and by the people to build strong  and resilient communities,” Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria said. “The Knight Foundation’s  latest commitment allows us to continue to meet community needs and build local capacity for our  Brigade volunteers to do the important work of advancing the digital practices that will benefit the  public.” 

Beginning on May 12, Code for America will be hosting a two-day virtual summit that brings  changemakers into one room―public servants, advocates, technologists and organizers—who break  through some of governments’ biggest challenges by removing barriers and expanding government  access to equitably serve all Americans. The summit will feature dozens of keynotes, breakout sessions  and workshops.

Anyone interested can now register here.  

We Are About To Witness An Ultra-Rare ‘Super Flower Blood Moon’

Charlotte Stories
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We Are About To Witness An Ultra-Rare ‘Super Flower Blood Moon’

We are about to witness the first rare lunar occurrence of 2021 – the Super Flower Blood Moon.

A total lunar eclipse will occur during a ‘super full moon’ in the early hours of May 26, 2021.

The components of a Blood Moon are not overly rare in themselves, but the combination of the Blood Moon, Super Moon, and Flower Moon on the same night is what will make May 26th an exceedingly special night.

A supermoon is the point of the moon’s orbit when it’s at its closest to Earth – its perigee – when it appears up to 14% larger and about 30% brighter than normal. A calendar year can see up to four supermoons.

A flower moon happens during spring time when the flowers are hitting their peak bloom, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

A blood moon is another name for a lunar eclipse, which happens when the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, making it appear slightly reddish in color.

In Charlotte, however, we will only be witnessing a partial lunar eclipse (so technically we’ll be seeing a Super Flower Partial-Blood Moon). You will have to travel west to see a full lunar eclipse (full Blood Moon).

Governor Cooper Just Declared State of Emergency As Gas Shortages Increase Around Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
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Governor Cooper Just Declared State of Emergency As Gas Shortages Increase Around Charlotte

NC Governor Roy Cooper has just declared a state of emergency amid a growing gas shortage due to the cyber attack of the Colonial Pipeline.

The new declaration will temporarily suspending motor vehicle fuel regulations in hopes of providing continued fuel supplies throughout our state.

“Today’s emergency declaration will help North Carolina prepare for any potential motor vehicle fuel supply interruptions across the state and ensure motorists are able to have access to fuel,” Governor Cooper said in a press release.

You can read the entire Executive Order No. 213 here.

With an increasing number of gas stations around Charlotte now running out of gas, many residents are turning to fuel station apps such as Gas Buddy and Cheap Gas to find the stations that still have some fuel left…and stations that haven’t yet resorted to price gouging.

Have you been able to find gas this week? 

Your Ultimate Renewable Energy Tips for Small Businesses

Stacy Anderson
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Your Ultimate Renewable Energy Tips for Small Businesses

You have started your business, congratulations. That’s a big step in life. Now you are thinking about how to manage it profitably. Now that’s where things start making you go crazy. With stiff competition, numerous expenses, and government bottlenecks, making profits isn’t an easy task. Expenses such as energy costs can climb so high that you feel like running away from your business. However, that’s isn’t the solution. The real deal lies in adopting renewable energy. With renewable energy, you have one of the best ways to save a lot of money on energy bills. Utility Bidder is going to highlight the tips and tricks for using renewable energy for your business.

Don’t Ignore the Windows

Windows can easily inflate your energy bills. So, don’t ignore your windows. Not paying attention to the windows will make your business’s HVAC system work harder, which can increase the energy bills. Open windows allow heat to enter the office. Consequently, you will incur more money trying to cool the office. The best way to give your HVAC system easy work is to bring in awnings, reflective films, and window shades. They can help you save a lot of money—especially during the summer.

 Also, check to see if the doors are sealed properly. Replace old caulk, foam, etc. around the doors.

Go Solar

If you want to make your business energy efficient, go solar. Solar is a cost-effective renewable energy solution you should bring to your office. There are several business solar-oriented options out there. Do your research before settling on a given solution. Consider the efficiency and reliability of any solution. Choose modern solar solutions. Also, you should consider the size of your business.

Purchase Energy-Efficient Equipment

Select or purchase energy-efficient equipment in your business. From LED bulbs, energy start computers, to energy-saving fax machines, selecting energy-efficient equipment and machines can significantly cut down your energy bills. In addition, fax machines can now be used as optional, there are free fax services which cannot only save energy but can also save time. Replace old dated equipment. Choose modern computers. Go for automated air conditioning units.

Bring in Programmable Thermostats

Of course, you need an air conditioner. However, did you know that running these conditioners is expensive to maintain and run? Well, that’s a fact. However, you don’t have to quit using them. You can invest in programmable thermostats and save a huge amount of energy bills. These thermostats are designed to automatically adjust temperatures. This means that there is minimal wastage of energy.

Modern Lighting

Don’t stick to old lighting fixtures. Bring energy-efficient lighting options into your office. Things like LED bulbs, chandeliers, dimming controllers, etc. make your office energy-efficient and highly inviting. These modern energy solutions are cost-effective, long-lasting, and consume less amount of energy. It’s time to ditch those traditional lighting solutions of yours today!

The Bottom-Line

Don’t let energy costs eat into your business profit. Cut them down. Trim these expenses into size with renewable energy. Plus, renewable energy is friendly to the environment. The above are tips and tricks for utilizing renewable energy for your new or existing business.

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