What might be?

This photo is not much to look at, but if several things fall into place this piece of earth could be generating a tremendous amount of electricity. What you are seeing is the 2010 view of Virginia's largest Superfund Site, Avtex Fibers, in Front Royal. There is a proposal in the works to convert the area in the photo to a large solar energy generating array. I am not confident that this will happen due to a variety of reasons, but we can hope. There are several hundred acres which would be an ideal location.

Aftermath of a Storm

After the snow has fallen and the melt has begun, the damage is just starting. Chemicals used for de-icing roads and sidewalks wash into streams which can potentially impact vegetation and wildlife. Historically, the major chemical used is sodium chloride (rock salt) which lowers the melting point of water and keeps ice and snow from sticking on roadways. Some localities are now looking at alternatives which are not as damaging. The emerging method is to replace salt with a brine solution prior to a storm. Sometimes the brine is mixed with a naturally-occurring sticky substance to help it adhere. In addition to the chemical impact, if a storm is follow by quick warming, flooding can be a real problem.