Matt Busse

The regional consortium is at least the third Virginia project vying for potentially tens of millions of dollars in federal grants.

While the decision was unanimous, two of the three judges raised questions about the precedent that was being set, with one wondering whether recent congressional action to eliminate the 4th Circuit’s jurisdiction over the cases is “a harbinger of erosion not just to the environment, but to our republic.”

A six-year project aims to break new ground in terms of the scope of real-world data collected on sediment and stormwater runoff at utility-scale solar facilities.

These elements and minerals are found in technological applications like electric cars and smartphones, and are considered essential to the economy. A half-million dollars in new federal funding will extend a project to find new sources for these minerals, including in Southwest Virginia.

The two towns in Southwest Virginia are among four localities to get more than $8.2 million combined from a state fund aimed at “breathing new life into dilapidated structures.”

Virginia Tech’s proposal involved advances in shipping logistics, freight and vehicle transportation across supply chains.

The Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to vacate stays of activity, which were issued earlier this month, came on the same day that attorneys appeared before appellate judges to debate whether environmental cases against the pipeline should be dismissed.

Tuesday’s court filings mean both proponents and opponents of the controversial natural gas pipeline have now made their voices heard to Chief Justice John Roberts. It’s not clear when he will next act on the case.

If approved, the $417 million deal would create a combined company with nearly $24 billion in assets.

With the potential for tens of millions of dollars at stake, a regional consortium hopes a new federal economic development program will boost the nuclear industry in the Hill City and Southwest Virginia.