C3 In The News
C3’s Community Conversations on NBC29 News
(NBC29)
Every Friday Appearances Fall 2021- Present
NBC29 has invited local nonprofits to talk about their work in Central Virginia during their Community Conversations that air every Friday @ 4:00PM. Tune in to stay up to date, or check out our highlighted conversations here.
Sadhbh O'Flynn with Community Climate Collaborative
(NBC 29)
June 21, 2024
C3 Climate Policy Manager Sadhbh O'Flynn spoke with NBC29 about the Transit Strategic Plan. This non-binding plan will take place over 10 years to optimize the bus route and system. The initiative behind the Strategic Plan is to promote a more equitable route for the greater Charlottesville area. To further the Zero Emission Transition Plan by 2027, O’Flynn hopes the Charlottesville Area Transit will purchase diesel-hybrid buses for their expanding fleet, reducing emissions quickly and efficiently. To learn more, click here.
Charlottesville, Virginia, shows how small cities can take a lead on zero-emissions public transit
(Energy News Network)
June 6, 2024
This summer, C3 and the City of Charlottesville are continuing to progress their goal to have 0 emissions by 2050. A local Kimley-Horn study found that by transitioning to battery electric or cell fuel buses would reduce greenhouse gasses between 94-99%. This insightful study has put more pressure on the city to continue to transition to a more sustainable fleet. On June 17th, the city counsel is scheduled to vote on the Charlottesville Area Transit Strategic Plan. Read more here.
C3 praises Charlottesville, Albemarle Co. climate budgets
(29 News)
May 21, 2024
Susan Kruse, Executive Director of C3, praised the City of Charlottesville for its steps towards a more sustainable future through its current budget. Kruse stated housing, transportation, and businesses were the key factors in the budget for a great energy efficient Charlottesville. Read more about Kruse’s praise here.
C3 executive director praises city, county climate budgets
(C’ville Right Now)
May 13, 2024
Susan Kruse, Executive Director of C3 praised the City of Charlottesville for its continuous efforts to cut emissions by 45% by 2030. Kruse states funding from the city has helped budget for affordable housing and transportation access. Read more here.
C3 awarding thousands to micro businesses to improve their energy-efficiency
(29 News)
May 10, 2024
C3 is awarding micro businesses with $20,000 grants to upgrade to more energy efficient solutions! Coles Jennings states 10 businesses will receive the grant, but all businesses who do apply will receive a free energy walk through. Apply here or to learn more and read the article here.
Climate group expanding to Richmond will focus on businesses’ energy efficiency
(Virginia Mercury)
May 6, 2024
C3 has expanded to Richmond to further local businesses’ goals of reducing carbon emissions, which make up 28% of Virginia’s average annual emissions. Learn more about how your business can easily reduce emissions and save money for a more sustainable planet.
Light House Studio Teams up with the Community Climate Collaborative
(29 News)
April 20, 2024
C3 teamed up with the Light House Studio to create films and animations to bring awareness to climate change. Students engaged with C3 in the classroom by learning about climate solutions. Inspired by the teachings, students have begun directing and acting in their own self-made films. Read more here.
U.VA. Office of Sustainability announces Sustainability Leadership Award recipients
(Cavalier Daily)
April 12, 2024
C3 was recognized by U.VA.’s Office of Sustainability by furthering President Jim Ryan’s 2030 Sustainability Plan! They will receive a Sustainability Leadership Reward on May 2nd. Read more about other award recipients and their plans here.
Stoney proposes new funds for climate resilience grants
(VPM NPR)
March 29, 2024
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is re-funding the Neighborhood Climate Resiliency Grant program to progress Richmond’s RVAGreen2050: Climate Equity Action Plan. In 2023, C3 received a $20,000 grant to study how much household income is forgone to energy. Stoney hopes to use the conclusion from C3’s study to further enact his Equity Action Plan through the Office of Sustainability. Read more about Mayor Stoney’s progress here.
Albemarle students receive Climate Action Kits from Charlottesville Group
(29 News)
March 28, 2024
Sarah Delgado with C3 visited Mountain View Elementary School to deliver hundreds of Climate Action Kits and taught students that finding sustainable solutions is fun. She explained, “It’s so important for us to be educating these children at a young age about climate solutions, because this is a problem that they’re going to end up inheriting from us in the future.” Read the article here.
Op-Ed: It’s time for Charlottesville City Council to get on the bus
(The Daily Progress)
February 14th, 2024
C3 Executive Director Susan Kruse writes about Charlottesville Area Transit’s proposed zero-emission bus fleet transition. This proposal outlines the goals, methods, and timeline of a plan to reach carbon neutrality 10 years ahead of the City of Charlottesville’s current goal. Though there is much work to be done in the city, CAT’s proposal is a source of hope for the carbon-neutral future of Charlottesville. Read the op-ed here.
The Center Making Strides
(NBC 29)
January 29, 2024
C3 Green Business Alliance member The Center was recognized for making significant progress in reducing both carbon emissions and costs while transitioning into a new facility. Read the NBC 29 article here.
Future Fuel of Charlottesville Transit
(WINA)
January 25, 2024
Executive Director Susan Kruse joins WINA to discuss possible fuel sources in the future for Charlottesville Area Transit. C3 has recommended a zero-emission bus fleet transition to CAT and the City of Charlottesville, and CAT has developed a phased plan to trial two new fuel sources. To hear more about this ongoing conversation, access the podcast episode here.
Highlighting success in efforts to reduce emissions, carbon footprint
(CBS 19)
January 22, 2024
Over the last 5 years, the Center at Belvedere has reduced its carbon footprint by 50,300 kgCO2 after its partnership with C3. Read how they achieved their sustainability goals here.
Community Based Climate Solutions
(IMHO Talk Show)
December 18, 2023
Caetano de Campos Lopes, C3’s Director of Climate Policy, is featured on the In My Humble Opinion Talk show. He shares more information about C3’s climate work and the importance of understanding how climate justice issues manifest in our community when developing climate solutions. Watch the podcast episode here.
Charlottesville EV Rally
(NBC29)
October 21st, 2023
On Saturday, C3 hosted an EV rally featuring almost 20 different vehicles where owners had the opportunity to talk about why they made the switch. Read or watch here to learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles and if they may be the right choice for you!
Alternative Fuel & Charlottesville Transit
(WINA)
October 12th, 2023
Susan Kruse talks with WINA about the alternative fuel study for Charlottesville’s transit system and what C3 believes is the best route for the city to achieve its climate goals. This discussion is in light of city council’s upcoming decision on transit fuel. Listen to the podcast here.
Electric Buses in Charlottesville
(NBC29)
September 29th, 2023
As the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle prepare to decide on changes to the transit system, C3 affirms its support for zero-emission buses after a recent study. NBC29 talks about the upcoming decision and sustainable options for Charlottesville buses in this article.
Petition for Clean Transit
(CBS19)
August 28th, 2023
CBS19 discusses C3’s petition for zero-emission buses in Charlottesville in light of City Council’s upcoming vote. C3 and other local organizations call on City Council to make positive changes to the bus system with regard to sustainability, accesibility, and safety.
Climate and Health
(NBC29)
August 11th, 2023
NBC29 summarizes C3’s recent report which highlights the health effects of climate change for the people of Charlottesville. Kate Ebinger discusses how the community can come together to build solutions which benefit everyone.
C3 Receives Bama Works Grant
(NBC29)
August 10th, 2023
NBC29 covers the Dave Matthews Band’s Bama Works Fund giving 775K to various Charlottesville nonprofits, including C3. These funds will go towards climate action activity kits for local elementary students.
Making Progress Towards Local Climate Goals
(NBC29)
July 4th, 2023
While emissions from the energy sector are declining, natural gas and transportation still need work. However, C3 is confident that Charlottesville can meet its climate goals for 2030 as progress continues to be made. Watch or read here.
More Businesses Join Community Effort to Cut Greenhouse Gas Pollution
(Radio IQ)
May 17th, 2023
Virginia Public Radio covers the addition of ten new members to C3’s Green Business Alliance. Both C3’s Executive Director Susan Kruse and Democratic U.S Rep. McClellan spoke at the announcement event held at Apex Clean Energies’ headquarters.
This story was also covered by NBC29, CBS19, The Daily Progress, and The Richmond Times Dispatch.
C3 Gifts 300 Climate Action Kits to Walker Upper Elementary Students
(NBC29)
May 12th, 2023
NBC29 reports on C3’s delivery of “climate activity kits” to 5th graders at Walker Elementary School. C3, partnered with the City of Charlottesville, gave out over 300 kits to encourage and foster students' eco-consciousness.
This story was also covered by CBS19.
Solar Farm Could Power Half the Homes in Albemarle while Feeding Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Sheep
(WVTF)
April 24th, 2023
Climate Policy Analyst Katie Ebinger joins WVTF to talk about how the Woodridge Solar Project site ended up saving, as well as other benefits of the project. Listen here.
Opinion/Letter: Electric Buses Would Serve Future Generations
(The Daily Progress)
April 22nd, 2023
C3’s High School Intern Hestia Haske recently had her Letter to the Editor published in The Daily Progress. She spoke on behalf of Charlottesville youth advocating for electric buses and their associated health benefits.
Old Lumber Site in Albemarle County to be Used for Solar Panel Project
(NBC29)
April 12th, 2023
Katie Ebinger, C3’s Climate Policy Analyst was interviewed about the approval of the upcoming Woodridge Solar project. She is quoted here in an NBC29 segment that talks about the site for the new project. Watch or read here.
Albemarle Supervisors give developer the OK to move forward with plans to build a solar farm that would be among the largest in Virginia
(Cville Tomorrow)
April 11th, 2023
Katie Ebinger, C3’s Climate Policy Analyst is quoted in this Cville Tomorrow article about the Woodridge Solar project, which would be one of the largest in Virginia with over 670,000 solar panels.
Intersectional, Multi-Stakeholder Coalitions and Climate Solutions
(Futuring Podcast)
March 1st, 2023
C3’s Executive Director, Susan Kruse was recently interviewed for the American Climate Futures miniseries, a special edition of the Futuring Podcast. They talk about building intersectional multi-stakeholder coalitions to accelerate just climate solutions, the importance of always showing up in support of others’ work, how regular constant feedback and iteration can strengthen collaborations, and the significance of weaving joy and resilience into movements and partnerships. Listen here.
C3 Introduces New Solar Climate Justice Scorecard
(NBC29)
February 23rd, 2023
NBC29 featured our Solar Climate Justice Scorecard on their 5 o’clock news with an interview with our policy analyst, Katie Ebinger. Watch here.
Virginia Groups Solar Scorecard Aims to Quantify Thorny Nuance around Development
(Southeast Energy News Network)
February 23rd, 2023
Elizabeth McGowan from Southeast Energy News Network thoroughly covered the launch of our Solar Climate Justice Scorecard, a free tool aimed to help decision-makers and advocates holistically evaluate potential utility-scale solar projects. Read here.
Planning Ahead
(Cville Weekly)
February 15th, 2023
Cville-Weekly interviewed Susan about the final passage of the City’s Climate Action Plan. Read the article here.
New Solar Projects Face Old Restrictions
(Daily Progress - Op Ed)
January 31st, 2023
Susan Kruse’s Op Ed calling on Charlottesville, Albemarle County and other localities to update outdated codes that become roadblocks to renewable energy adoption. Read here.
Community Climate Collaborative’s Small and Minority Business Grant
(Charlottesville Right Now on WINA)
January 12th, 2023
Teri Strother, director of communications for C3 talks about the ongoing grant program for small and minority businesses and some big news for people thinking about purchasing an EV. Listen here.
Mini-Grant Program Helps City Business Owners with their Energy Efficiency
(NBC29 - Community Conversation)
January 6th, 2022
Pie Guy owner and Charlottesville native Keith Groomes joins NBC29 on behalf of C3 to talk about how C3’s mini-grant program helped his business improve energy efficiency. Watch here and read more about the program here.
C3 awarding $20k for energy upgrades to small, minority owned businesses
(NBC29)
December 9th, 2022
C3 is offering small, minority owned businesses $2,500 each to fund energy efficient upgrades like lighting or heating and cooling systems. Visit our website for more information and application timelines. Watch here.
VCN Legislative Watch Party
(NBC 29)
December 8th, 2022
This past Saturday, C3 hosted VA Conservation’s Legislative Watch Party at The Center. The event included a panel of local legislators and experts who talked about issues involving clean energy investment, education, and transit partnerships. Read here.