The money will go to the Virginia Department of Energy and will be used to study site feasibility and commercial viability of the project.
Susan Cameron
Susan Cameron is a reporter for Cardinal News. She has been a newspaper journalist in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee for nearly 40 years. She is based in Bristol. Reach her at susan@cardinalnews.org or 276-791-5928.
Posted inEconomy
‘Landmark’ development deal aims to bring energy innovation to Southwest Virginia
The goal of the project is to drive commercialization and deployment of conventional and innovative energy technologies on 65,000 acres of previously mined land, mostly in Wise County. The hope is that it will lead to jobs for residents and will bring tax revenue to local governments that have been affected by the downturn in the coal industry.
Posted inEconomy
Advocates worry residents are being left out of conversations about where to build Virginia’s first small nuclear reactor
A study identified seven possible Southwest Virginia sites for an SMR. A local planning official says public participation will come late this winter or early spring, once a supply chain study is completed.
Posted inEconomy
7 sites were studied as potential locations for a small modular reactor in Southwest Virginia. Here’s a closer look.
A year ago, the governor said he wants the region to host an SMR. A study identified sites across four counties; many are on former coal mine lands, and several are close to population centers.
Posted inPolitics
Longtime Bristol doctor talks about her new role leading the state’s public health efforts
Dr. Karen Shelton talks about the state’s mental health crisis, the dangerous influx of fentanyl into the region, and how we should be responding to the continuing specter of COVID.
Posted inEconomy
15 months after a flash flood devastated parts of Southwest Virginia, state aid is on the way
Dozens of homes in Buchanan and Tazewell counties were damaged or destroyed in July 2022. The General Assembly approved $18 million in funding to help residents rebuild; Del. Will Morefield said he hopes residents will get the money before the end of the year.
Posted inCulture
Blue Highway Fest returns to Big Stone Gap, just weeks after picking up a major bluegrass industry award
The celebration of bluegrass music features a number of big-name bands and runs Wednesday through Saturday.
Posted inEconomy
Police execute search warrants in 9 Southwest Va. counties in drug, money laundering investigation
No arrests have been made in what authorities said was an “extensive, ongoing criminal investigation” centered on drugs and money laundering by retail establishments.
Posted inEconomy
As Big Stone Gap federal courthouse faces formal closure, memories of its heyday live on
Security issues and a dwindling caseload prompted the decision to shutter the courthouse. But local officials are hoping to give the historic building a new life.
Posted inEconomy
Cannabis-related stores are popping up across Virginia amid confusion over the state’s marijuana laws
Experts say the stores, many of which gift or share marijuana, are proliferating because the Virginia General Assembly approved marijuana for personal use but failed to set up a retail market.
