The Upstate Update: September 2020

The Upstate Update is a digital newsletter curated and shared each month that offers insights into Upstate Forever's recent work, highlights upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, and shares other conservation and advocacy news.

We post the Upstate Update here on the Upstate Forever blog each month. If you would like to receive the Upstate Update directly in your email inbox, please sign up for the mailing list.

Huge News for Solar in SC

This week, Duke Energy and solar energy advocates from across the Carolinas — including Upstate Forever — announced an agreement that could offer Duke's future rooftop solar customers significant up-front savings to go solar, while enhancing grid reliability and setting new solar pricing signals to reduce utility costs for all customers.

Duke Energy, the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, Southern Environmental Law Center, Sunrun, Vote Solar, Coastal Conservation League, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, and Upstate Forever partnered on the proposal.

What would this mean and why is it breaking news? Our Energy & State Policy Director Shelley Robbins explains in the Upstate Update. 

View this month's Upstate Update

Also in this month's update:

• Protect Greenville's rural lands
  Greenville County Council's Planning & Development Committee recently took up a proposed ordinance to amend the county's Land Development Regulations (LDR) to better protect the county's most rural areas. Join us in urging Council to support the ordinance and protect the county's rural communities by signing this petition.
   
• Spartanburg comp plan updates
  On our blog, Land Policy Manager Sherry Barrett shares the latest news of Plan Spartanburg, the City of Spartanburg's comprehensive plan update process, and how you can participate in shaping the future of one of our region's fastest-growing cities. Read more on the UF blog and click here to join our Spartanburg planning & growth email list to receive news and alerts in your inbox.
   
• Protected properties for sale
  Are you interested in owning a property that has a conservation easement with Upstate Forever? We are updating upstateforever.org/listings with conservation easement properties that are currently for sale.

View this month's Upstate Update

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