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Over 100 local concerned citizens gathered at the Surry Recreation Center yesterday to participate in a rally and pot luck dinner with Brian Moran. The event was organized by the Coalition to Keep Surry Clean, a grassroots group of local citizens committed to retaining Surry's rural character and its unofficial status as "God's Country."
Beth Roach, on behalf of the grassroots group, provided opening remarks, talking about the permanent damage an industrial plant such as the one proposed, could impose on the small, sleepy town of Dendron, population 300.
"Brian Moran's press conference in Surry [yesterday] was very inspiring" said Dr. Christine Llewellyn of Williamsburg, 18 miles downwind from the proposed plant. "It was so refreshing to hear in person a candidate who understands that burning coal for electricity is old technology and would not be part of our new energy mix if he becomes governor".
Brian Moran is the only candidate for Governor to oppose the new coal plant.
"It's time we get serious about a clean energy system that protects our environment and creates thousands of green energy jobs," Moran said. "We can't solve our 21st century energy challenges with 19th century fossil fuels. We need new solutions like wind and solar energy that can create jobs and won't damage our environment and risk our children's health. I'm proud to be here with local leaders in the community. Standing up for the environment isn't easy. We need to say no to a coal fired mega plant in Surry and say yes to clean renewable energy."
"The proposed site is located approximately 50 miles from two of the biggest population centers in the Commonwealth. Richmond and Hampton Roads would feel the brunt of the increased CO2 emissions, smog and coal ash," continued Moran. "Additionally, the plant would increase the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay at the same time as we are spending millions to clean up the Bay". This last remark drew a great round of applause from the crowd.
Beth in her remarks also mentioned the 14.6 million tons CO2/year produced by the Surry plant and its equivalence to the emissions of 3 million more vehicles on our roads. She mentioned plant pollution of 118 lbs mercury/year and how 1/70 teaspoon in a 25 acre lake makes the fish unsafe to eat. Betsy unfortunately forgot to mention the 176 acre fly ash dump proposed for the site.
"I think it's important for Virginia voters to know where the next governor will stand," Moran said, urging the crowd to keep up their good work. "You start to become a one issue voter," added the Coalition's Betsy Shepherd, as folks gathered up both No Coal Plant and Brian Moran yard signs following the rally.
The rally was held prior to a vote by the Dendron Town Council on an issue regarding planning jurisdiction and permitting authority between the Town of Dendron and Surry County. More information on the meeting will be posted later, along with a transcript of Beth Roach's remarks.
On June 9th, Virginians will go to the polls to vote in the Democratic Primary for their nominees for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. Republicans will select their nominees at their convention the end of May.
Sierra Club invited all four of the candidates for Governor, the three Democrats: Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran, and the Republican: Bob McDonnell to submit answers to an environmental survey that we have posted to our website, virginia.sierraclub.org.
The next Governor could be charting our course to a clean energy future or defending the coal industry until sea level rise is swallowing Virginia Beach. The next governor could actually make a real difference in cleaning up the Chesapeake rather than merely using the Bay as a back drop for a photo up. The next Governor could insure that the embarrassing boondoggle otherwise known as the King William Reservoir is finally laid to rest by standing up to developers in Newport News and the Peninsula.
So it will be up to us who that next Governor will be. As we close in on the Republican and Democratic nomination decisions, take the time to go out and see the candidates and ask the tough questions. We hope the survey responses provided by the candidates will help guide you in making this important decision.
Where do the Democratic candidates for governor stand on the proposed $6 billion coal-fired power plant in Surry? Creigh Deeds supports it; Terry McAuliffe offers a conditional probably not; Brian Moran says no.
Now there's a video that connects the dots on McAuliffe and his refusal to say no to coal, putting him in stark contrast to climate activists like Al Gore and James Hansen:
Click here (PDF file) to read Chapter 1 of Terry McAuliffe's "Business Plan for Virginia." The plan kicks off with "Virginia's Energy Future." The major elements are:
1. "Make Virginia a destination for clean energy and clean tech businesses and jobs." Includes a mandatory Renewable Portfolio Standard ("Requiring power companies to generate 25% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025") and net metering ("Encouraging cleaner, locally produced electricity by allowing consumers who produce renewable energy to earn actual retail credit to offset their consumption."). Both are excellent ideas (although I'm with Al Gore, let's shoot for 100% renewables within a decade!).
2. "Invest in clean, renewable sources of energy supply." Includes development of Virginia's wind, solar, and biomass resources. I'm a huge fan of wind and solar, not so much of biomass (unless we're talking about biomass possibilities like algae that deliver many times the amount of energy OUT of the system as it takes INTO the system).
3. "Invest in energy efficiency - the least expensive form of energy supply." Includes expanded "deployment of smart meters throughout the Commonwealth" and a change in incentives so that utilities "put efficiency first." The latter essentially describes "decoupling," which I strongly support. I also support building a "smart grid" and replacing analog meters with "smart" digital ones throughout Virginia.
4. "Do a better job of using coal and natural gas power more safely and effectively." I like the emphasis on retraining coal miners so that they are "never unprepared for the changing industry environment." I could do without the "carbon sequestration" (CCS) and "make Virginia coal the cleanest in America," but with Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran (and Jim Webb, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, etc.) also pushing "cleaner coal" (in Brian Moran's case, even calling Virginia the "Saudi Arabia of coal!") and CCS, I've largely resigned myself to the fact that I'm not going to agree with either the Republican or Democratic gubernatorial nominee on this issue. Sigh.
5. "Protect our families from fluctuating energy costs and economic disruptions." I definitely like giving families "the tools to reduce their energy use and carbon footprints." I also like "low-income energy assistance and weatherization programs."
6. "Invest in people, committing significant resources to training and educating Virginians to comprise the workforce for today and tomorrow's clean tech economy." This is crucial in order to prepare Virginia's workforce for the "green jobs" of the future.
P.S. One thing I would have loved to see in this plan would be a specific requirement that all new buildings in Virginia meet energy efficiency standards. Also, I would have loved to see discussion of "smart growth;" perhaps that will come later, in future sections of the "Business Plan" (I presume there will be a chapter on transportation?).
I'll have more details as I get them, but for now, I'm told that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran will be coming out for electric power decoupling today. Now, if only ALL the candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general would do likewise...
UPDATE: Press release on the "flip." After reading this, I'd say that Brian Moran has now become the clear leader on environmental issues among candidates for 2009 statewide office. Impressive!
Today, Brian Moran issued a strong statement opposed to building a new coal-fired power plant in Surry County. I checked with the campaigns of the other two Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Terry McAuliffe and Creigh Deeds, and include their statements below. I'd also be interested in hearing from Republican candidates for governor, as well as candidates for LG and AG, on this issue.
Brian Moran
On the steps of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Brian Moran pledged that he will stop the proposed coal-fired power plant in Surry County, Virginia, if elected Governor. Today, he visited DEQ's office to hand deliver a letter calling for a serious investigation into the proposed plant's environmental impact. Moran highlighted the release of millions of tons of greenhouse gases which increases global warming and the significant health risks posed by the coal-burning plant. The proposed plant would be about 50 miles from two major Virginia population centers in Richmond and Hampton Roads, in addition to being close to the Chesapeake Bay.
"Across the nation and right here in Virginia our energy future is in a precarious position," Moran said. "It is essential that we make sound decisions and act boldly in defense of our quality of life, not just for ourselves, but for our children, and our children's children. The proposed coal-burning power plant in Surry should not go forward based on the information currently available to the public. 2009 should be the year that we make unprecedented commitments to clean, renewable energy that can preserve our planet and create thousands of new jobs all over the Commonwealth."
Creigh Deeds
At a time when our country faces enormous economic and energy challenges, Senator Deeds stands with Mark Warner, Jim Webb and Tim Kaine in keeping all options on the table. The proposed power plant will be one of the cleanest in operation in the country, but we must continue working towards the development of clean coal technology. That's why Deeds has proposed making Virginia a leader in the development of alternative and renewable energy by creating an energy-based research triangle-as we solve the energy challenges of this century we can create good-paying green jobs that can't be exported overseas.
Terry McAuliffe
Terry believes that our first imperative should be to reduce the demand for energy. Governor Kaine has made some proposals to do that this year, and Terry supports and would build on those as governor. If we determine that there is a legitimate need for increased power production, we should look first to meet that demand through renewable energy power production. Rather than focusing on old technologies, we should focus on new, clean technologies.
If a new coal plant is built, it should be as clean as possible -- and from my understanding, the one being proposed for Surry County does not meet that standard.
If we were to focus on building renewable energy production facilities, instead of new coal plants, we could create much-needed jobs in places like Surry County and provide energy that is clean and environmentally sound.
Comments? Which statement(s) do you like (or not) and why (not)? Personally, I'm most impressed with Brian's statement, can't really remember seeing anything quite like that since I've been following Virginia politics. Terry's statement is good, but I'd like to see an even stronger position on this one. Creigh's statement...well, let's just say I strongly disagree with him that the Surry plant would be "one of the cleanest in operation in the country." "Cleanest" in terms of carbon emissions? How's that exactly? Hmmmmm.
UPDATE: Terry adds that when he says "clean," he's referring to "CO2 emissions, but really all pollutants." Also, he says he's talking about "making sure we are looking to renewable sources first, not as an afterthought." Finally, Terry says, "The point is to make sure that our regulations match the best technology -- so making sure that, for example, if a coal plant is being built now, it is built to adapt to sequestration technology as soon as it is available."
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Over 100 local concerned citizens gathered at the Surry Recreation Center yesterday to participate in a rally and pot luck dinner with Brian Moran. The event was organized by the Coalition to Keep Surry Clean, a grassroots group of local citizens committed to retaining Surry's rural character and its unofficial status as "God's Country."
Politics matter.
I'll have more details as I get them, but for now, I'm told that Democratic gubernatorial candidate 
Today, Brian Moran issued a strong statement opposed to building a new coal-fired power plant in Surry County. I checked with the campaigns of the other two Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Terry McAuliffe and Creigh Deeds, and include their statements below. I'd also be interested in hearing from Republican candidates for governor, as well as candidates for LG and AG, on this issue.
