Northwood High School’s Class of 2026
Northwood High School's Class of 2026 (copy)
Northwood High School's Class of 2026 received their diplomas Thursday evening.
ApCo seeking renewable energy (copy) (copy)
Appalachian Power Company is seeking proposals for renewable energy resources that will help meet its future clean energy needs in Virginia.
Three Requests for Proposals were issued this week for wind, solar and renewable energy certificates.
Under the Virginia Clean Economy Act, APCo must meet annual escalating Renewable Portfolio Standards requirements to deliver 100% carbon-free energy to its Virginia customers by 2050.
“These RFPs will help us continue creating a well-balanced energy portfolio with renewable generation resources to safely and reliably serve our customers in Virginia,” said Brian Abraham, APCo president and chief operating officer. “They’re a key step in proceeding with our clean energy commitments.”
The first RFP requests bids for up to 800 megawatts of wind and/or solar resources. APCo seeks to acquire build-transfer or development-stage projects through one or more Purchase & Sale Agreements, with a preference for projects located in Virginia or on eligible sites in West Virginia. Facilities must achieve a commercial operation date no later than Dec. 15, 2029, and be within the PJM region and/or interconnected to the APCo distribution system. To qualify for consideration, resources that interconnect to PJM must be at least 50 MW in size. Resources interconnecting to APCo’s distribution system must be at least 10 MW. APCo is requesting proposals for both new and operational projects.
The second RFP requests bids for up to 300 MW of solar, wind and hydro resources via one or more long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). With a PPA, APCo enters into an agreement for the energy, capacity, ancillary services and environmental attributes, including Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from facilities located within the PJM region and/or interconnected to APCo’s distribution system. To qualify for consideration, resources must be at least 50 MW in size for wind, 20 MW in size for hydro and 5 MW in size for solar and be operational by Dec. 31, 2029.
The third RFP centers on wind, solar, hydro and geothermal RECs, which are market-based instruments issued when one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity is generated and delivered to the electricity grid from a renewable energy resource. Under the RFP, all RECs purchased must be produced from eligible energy resources as defined in Section 56-585.5 of the Code of Virginia. Bidders may submit proposals for contract terms between five and 30 years, beginning Jan. 1, 2028; however, alternative terms will also be considered.
Businesses seeking to submit proposals may access RFP participation criteria, required forms and other specifics online at www.AppalachianPower.com/RFP. Proposals must be submitted by July 15. Any project selected by APCo through the RFP process is conditional upon and subject to approval by the required regulatory authorities.
Trophy trout weeks at Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek fee fishing areas
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) announced that it will be conducting trophy trout stockings in June at both the Clinch Mountain and Crooked Creek fee fishing areas.
The Clinch Mountain fee area trophy week stockings will occur June 15-20. Stockings at this location will occur in the evenings before normal stocking days to reduce traffic congestion.
Trophy stockings at the Crooked Creek fee area will take place June 22-27 on normal stocking days.
During these weeks, normal stocking allocations will be supplemented with large numbers of citation-sized trout at both fee areas. The trophy fish will include a mix of rainbow, brown, and brook trout.
For additional information regarding Trophy Trout Weeks, call the Marion Regional Office at 276-783-4860.
Marion Senior High School’s Class of 2026
Marion Senior High School's Class of 2026 (copy)
The Marion Senior High School Class of 2026 graduated on Friday night.
Chilhowie High School’s Class of 2026
Chilhowie High School's Class of 2026 (copy)
The Chilhowie High School Class of 2026 graduated on Friday evening.
Its officers were president, Colton Gentry; vice president, Christian Ford; secretary, Allyson Gutierrez; and treasurer, Madi Preston.
The graduating Beta Club members included Sara Barrett, Aidan Broughman, Caleb Cook, Lock Dolinger, Emmaline Dowell, Colton Gentry, Cheyenne Greer, Kendyl Gross, Allyson Guiterrez, Madison Gwinn, Jasmine Harrison, Shaelynn Holbrook, Carmen Hurley, Drake Love, Ronny Lyles, Mattison McClure, Brandon Miller, Noah Nash, Amanda Perkins, Mara Plummer, Emily Powers, Madison Preston, Trish Robin, Jeffery Robinson, Brycen Sturgill, Natalie Testerman, Owen Utt, and Alexis Williams.
