fossil fuels

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Officials in Charlottesville, Virginia, have voted to divest the city's operating budget investments from any entity involved in the production of fossil fuels or weapons.

WVIR-TV reports the City Council voted 4-1 last week to complete those divestments within the next 30 days.

Supporters of divestment argued that weapons and fossil fuels do not align with the city's strategic plan goals, including being responsible stewards of natural resources.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Scientists say that climate change is prolonging allergy season and the suffering that goes along with it.

The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware, reported Thursday that local doctors are seeing more people who are suffering from allergies and that they are suffering for longer periods of time.

Scientists say that deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels are sending more greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Those gases in turn warm the planet and extend allergy season.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Hundreds of protesters streamed into Virginia's capital city to criticize the Democratic governor's energy policies, including his support for a proposed natural gas pipeline.

Carrying signs that read "We won't pipe down," the group on Saturday also lambasted Gov. Terry McAuliffe's support for offshore oil drilling and for not trying to stop an electric company's release of treated coal ash water into rivers.

BALTIMORE (AP) - The University System of Maryland Foundation says it will no longer directly invest in certain fossil fuel sources.

Leonard Raley, president and CEO of the foundation, which oversees the system's $1 billion endowment, tells The Baltimore Sun that they are concerned about climate change and taking actions to reflect that.

The foundation said Tuesday that it would sign on to a United Nations pledge to be more socially aware of its investments, and appoint a staff person to identify opportunities in renewable energy.