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We are a group of environmental advocates united in providing a one-stop source for Virginia's environmental news. We each focus on different issues, but share the vision of a Commonwealth that preserves and protects its natural resources. Please join us!
This is the year for a clean energy bill and we need to tell our senators it's time to act. Let's turn up the heat on bold climate action.
On Monday, August 10th, we're holding a beach party to welcome our senators back home for the month and to tell them we need a strong clean energy jobs bill.
It is past time for the U.S. to take action on climate change. Please come and show your support for strong legislation that ensures:
•Serious steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible
•Clean energy jobs through effective renewable electricity and energy efficiency resource standards.
•Transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards a clean energy future.
So, grab your beach gear, your camera, your flotation devices, and your flip-flops and join us for a beach party our senators will never forget.
IN VIRGINIA BEACH: Join us in front of Senator Jim Webb's office in Virginia Beach.
WHERE: 222 Central Park Ave., Town Center in Virginia Beach
WHEN: 12:00 to 12:30 pm
RSVP: Click here to RSVP
IN NORFOLK: Join us in front of Senator Mark Warner's office in Norfolk.
WHERE: 101 W. Main Street, Suite 4900 in Norfolk
WHEN: 12:00 to 12:30 pm
RSVP: Click here to RSVP
IN ROANOKE: Join us in front of Senator Jim Webb's office in Roanoke.
WHERE: 3140 Chaparral Dr # C-101, Roanoke (near Roanoke County offices)
WHEN: 12:00 to 12:30 pm
RSVP: Click here to RSVP
IN RICHMOND: Join us in front of Senator Jim Webb's office in Richmond.
WHERE: 507 East Franklin Street in Richmond
WHEN: 12:00 to 12:30 pm
RSVP: Click here to RSVP
[07/07/09] Rocky Mount, VA - Surrounded by small business owners and energy entrepreneurs at the Gereau Center on Friday, Congressman Tom Perriello unveiled "New Energy for the Fifth District: A Blueprint for Putting Southside and Central Virginia at the Forefront of the Clean Energy Economy." The strategy document outlines why the 5th District of Virginia is positioned to become a leading region in the nation for the clean energy economy.(Click here to read the rest...)
Bravo, Rep. Perriello. Bravo both for your rollout of this energy plan and your brave vote for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES).
"Moving a comprehensive clean energy jobs plan through a committee historically dominated by those with ties to the oil, coal, and other polluting industries is a laudable victory and truly historic accomplishment", writes Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club in a statement released this morning.
"Chairmen Waxman and Markey have led the way and it is certain that this feat never could have happened without their extraordinary leadership. They have long been champions for the environmental movement and we congratulate them on achieving this critically important milestone. This bill puts the U.S. on the path to slash the carbon emissions that cause global warming 80 percent by 2050, a signal accomplishment necessary to preserve the planet for future generations".
(The rest of Carl Pope's statement is on the flip...)
Did you know that of the ten United States cities with the largest population of veterans, six are in Virginia (and more specifically Hampton Roads): Hampton (27%), Virginia Beach (22%), Norfolk (20%), Newport News (20%), Chesapeake (19%) and Portsmouth (18%).
Virginia also has tremendous potential for development of renewable energy, especially offshore wind development which ironically is also based in an area, Hampton Roads, that is home to so many veterans.
While Brian Moran has long understood that it is a false argument to pit the environment against the economy, newer politicos needed some convincing of that. Fingers-crossed, but I think Rep. Glenn Nye (2nd) is starting to get it!
Two announcements from both Moran and Nye start the ball rolling towards Virginia's development of a clean energy economy. Moran announced yesterday his "Warriors to Work" initiative, a part of which puts veterans to work in developing our renewable energy resources. Nye announced Wednesday adoption of his amendment that helps veterans start and run their own businesses. Nye's bill was added to H.R. 2352, the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act which also "establishes a green entrepreneurial development program, which will provide education, classes and one-on-one instruction in starting a business in the fields of energy efficiency, green technology, or clean technology".
The House Energy & Commerce Committee today launched a marathon series of hearings on the clean energy jobs plan, the American Clean Energy & Security Act, currently being drafted by the Committee's Chairman, Representative Henry Waxman, and the Chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, Representative Ed Markey. The hearings, which began today and continue through Friday, April 25, will feature more than 50 witnesses, including EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Vice President Al Gore, and numerous other leaders from the environmental community, business, organized labor, consumer groups, and faith and social justice organizations. This week's hearings mark the formal start to the legislative process in the House of Representatives and put the committee on track to achieve the Chairman's goal of reporting out a clean energy jobs bill by Memorial Day.
Click here for the complete schedule. Click here to join the Sierra Club as they live blog on the hearings.
I'll never forget a conversation on the topic of climate change that I had with my now former Delegate Terrie Suit. She didn't understand how or why she should support our work in Virginia while China continued to be such a tremendous contributor to the problem. Perhaps if the air in Virginia Beach were to get as disgusting and gross as the air in some cities in China maybe then she'd think we had a problem. Unbelievable!
Anyway, here's good news on Chinese initiatives to clean up their act. From AlterNet:
China's pledge to have 15 percent of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2020 is hampered by the country's coal dependency, a reliance that has succeeded in making it the fastest growing economy and also the largest greenhouse gas producer on the planet (recently surpassing the United States). The latter is a problem China hopes to solve with wind power, Nation contributing editor Christian Parenti elaborates on the growing industry of wind turbines, fans with the potential to increase local productivity, reduce harmful pollution and ultimately wean China off its coal addiction.
Americans United for Change has targeted 12 states - including Virginia - with TV ads encouraging "Democrats and Republicans Alike to Stand Up to the Special Interests and Support the Most Transformational Investments in Health Care, Education, and Energy in Generations".
As the U.S. House and Senate Budget Committees begin key work this week on President Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget request to Congress, Americans United for Change launched the largest advertising blitz to date in support of the President's transformational blueprint for rebuilding and renewing America.
With a significant six-figure buy behind it, "Blueprint" is airing on national cable, a mix of cable and broadcast in the nation's Capitol and at persuasion levels on broadcast television in targeted media markets - including Richmond, Newport News, and Roanoke, VA -- represented by Democratic and Republican Members of Congress who will play a critical role in shaping the budget and the nation's priorities.
Over 90 progressive organizations from across the country have joined forces as part of the Rebuild and Renew America campaign with the focus on passing President Barack Obama's historic budget.
Here in Virginia the coalition includes the Virginia AFL-CIO, Environment Virginia, Sierra Club, SEIU, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Virginia Education Association, the Virginia Organizing Project, and many others.
Please take action by asking Senator Mark Warner to support President Obama's budget in the Senate Budget Committee and then on the Senate floor.
The Senate Budget Committee is set to vote this week on a budget resolution and Senator Warner is a key member of the Senate Budget Committee.
This budget exemplifies some of the best qualities that Virginians admire in Senator Warner and remember from his term as Governor: a focus on results, not partisanship; strategic investments in key quality of life issues and our future; and an honest attempt to clean up a predecessor's budget deficit.
The Bush Administration left us with record deficits and an economy in recession. Now we have to make the hard choices to bring down the deficit while acting boldly to lay a foundation in which our economy can prosper. By ending our dependence on foreign oil and creating millions of clean energy jobs here at home, bringing down the high cost of health care, and giving all our kids a world-class education, we can compete in the 21st century economy.
Please contact Senator Warner right away and ask him to support President Obama's budget. (The Senate Budget Committee is currently scheduled to consider the budget resolution on Wednesday, March 25.)
Dial 1-888-436-8427 and press "1" to be connected to the Capitol Switchboard and ask for Senator Mark Warner's office.
Among many other things, this budget fights climate change and supports clean energy. President Obama has taken a comprehensive approach to transform our energy supply and lessen global warming. The budget calls for the implementation of a cap and trade program that will reduce carbon emissions by 83% by 2050 and auction 100% of the pollution credits created through the system. This program would generate $650 billion over ten years that will be invested in renewable energy and strengthen the Making Work Pay tax credit.
Click here for a live blog of "the first meeting of the [White House's] Middle Class Task Force, with a focus on a green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class." The panel includes "the VP, 6 cabinet secretaries (including newly confirmed Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the author of the Green Jobs Act), and senior White House staff." The "[f]irst presentation is from John Podesta from the Center of American Progress, then it will be Fred Krupp from the Environmental Defense Fund and Van Jones from Green for All."
Does the Obama White House "get it" on clean energy, green jobs and the environment or what? This is impressive:
Vice President Biden and the rest of the Middle Class Task Force get down to (official) business for the first time Friday, Feb. 27, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
On the agenda: jobs. Green jobs. Lots of 'em.
Half the cabinet will be there, along with top domestic policy aide Melody Barnes, top environmental policy aide Carol Browner, and Pennsylvania's Gov. Rendell, Sens. Specter and Casey, and Reps. Chaka Fattah and Robert Brady.
But what are green jobs? Where are they? And how do you get one?
Beyond the political heavy-hitters, a lot of clean energy leaders -- including prominent voices from the worlds of policy, non-profits, local government, labor, and business -- will be on hand to try to answer those questions, and these:
--How can we change Washington to make green jobs a political reality? (John Podesta, President and CEO, Center for American Progress)
--How can we ensure access to green jobs to everyone? (Van Jones, founding President, Green for All)
--How do we connect people who need jobs to companies that need people? (Fred Krupp, President, the Environmental Defense Fund)
--How can the federal government help bring green jobs to the middle class? (Carol Browner, Assistant to President Obama for Energy and Climate Change)
--What's the role of the labor movement in creating green jobs and training workers for them? (Leo Gerard, International President of the Steelworkers of America
--How do you create green jobs in a city? (Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia)
--How can public-private partnerships help train people for green jobs? (Cecilia Estolano, CEO of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Authority)
--What's the role for business? (Mark Edlen, President, Gerding-Edlen)
That's an impressive agenda, no doubt about it. In fact, I'd love to be at the conference for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that it's being held at my alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania (aka, "NOT Penn State!" - lol).
A community rally in support of good jobs to speed Virginia's economic recovery will be held tomorrow, Wed., Feb. 25, 11am at the Capitol Square Bell Tower, 900 Bank Street in Richmond. Economic policy advisors, faith leaders, community advocacy organizations, and workers are joining together to call on businesses and elected officials to put Virginia back on track by creating an economy that works for everyone.
On the heels of passage of the economic recovery package, workers and community leaders will discuss the need to ensure that the money flowing into Virginia creates good jobs so that working people can speed the state's economic recovery by spending money again.
The event also follows the release of a new report by the Center for American Progress (CAP) that shows greater unionization Could pump $49 Billion into the U.S. economy, including $947 Million into Virginia.
For more info, contact Karen Backus, SEIU, 404-229-7592.
The final numbers are in, and the stimulus will provide Virginia with $810 million for transportation and hundreds of millions more for energy efficiency, water and sewer fixes, and school repairs. Governor Kaine has asked for our help in deciding Virginia's spending priorities.
It's our choice, which path will we take?
For too long we've failed to invest in existing communities and to maintain what we've already built. Two years after the tragic Minnesota bridge collapse, 9% of Virginia's bridges are structurally deficient. Our transit systems have record ridership, but are facing cuts to staff and service. Key traffic bottlenecks aren't getting fixed because of money diverted to new highways. Water main breaks are becoming increasingly common.
Urge the Governor to invest Virginia's share in our existing communities to maintain and repair what we've already built. Ask for a transportation program that supports smart growth, reduces energy consumption, and fights climate change.
Your input regarding transportation spending is particularly critical, because unlike the other needs, the transportation funding comes as a virtual blank check to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
A Fix-It-First, Jobs First, Sustainable Stimulus: Last month we asked you how you spend the stimulus, and you resoundingly said priorities must be transit, walking and bicycling, energy efficiency, and a fix-it-first infrastructure policy. We agree. Moreover, this is a one-time cash infusion, and given the mounting national debt, future infrastructure funding will be limited. We have to get this right.
Our recommendations for Virginia's stimulus funds include:
• Repair crumbling bridges and roads, and fix local bottlenecks using street designs that are safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, instead of using the money for new highways that are too often tied to opening up new areas for development. Maintenance and repair projects typically create more jobs than new construction.
• Purchase more buses and railcars to meet the high demand for transit.
• Improve water quality in our streams and the Chesapeake Bay, by fixing sewage systems and helping farmers maintain riparian buffers.
• Use housing funds to support more affordable housing linked to transit and jobs to reduce community transportation costs.
• Invest in home and office energy efficiency, including weatherization, which does more than any other investment to save energy and money.
One Chance to Get It Right: Looking beyond the two years of stimulus spending, the stark reality of our national indebtedness means that we can't afford to keep funding energy inefficient patterns of development and transportation. It's time to re-evaluate the Virginia Department of Transportation's unaffordable long-range project list. Projects like the Tri-County Parkway in northern Virginia and Route 460 in southeastern Virginia, premised on the idea of infinite cheap energy, need to be cut.
We need to maintain what we've already built, invest in infrastructure that improves the quality of life in existing communities, and reduce our costly oil dependency. This means partnering with the freight railroads to divert trucks to rail and provide high-speed rail to Richmond. It means transit projects that are tied to revitalization of communities and that tap private support through increased real estate value; for example, the circumferential Purple Line and Route 1 transit in northern Virginia, Norfolk's light rail, and Richmond's downtown trolley.
Several environmental groups decry state senator and Democratic Majority leader Dick Saslaw's decision to cast the deciding vote against a bill written to ensure more energy efficiency in Virginia.
The bill would have required utility companies to reduce their energy consumption 19 percent by 2025 and lead to a reduction in the monthly electric bills for most Virginia residents, according to the environmental groups.
"He has ignored the wants of his constituents and most of the people in Northern Virginia," said Allison Fisher, with Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, a group works with faith communities to combat global warming.
Saslaw did not respond to Connection Newspapers phone calls asking him to comment.
Well, fine, if Dick Saslaw won't respond to the media, perhaps the voters of his district will respond to HIM by calling his "constituent hotline" at (800) 889-0229 or emailing him at vasenate35@aol.com and letting him know that (note: talking points courtesy of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network - CCAN):
* The goals of Sen. Donald McEachin's bill SB1447 were recommended by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), an independent group that has studied how states all over America can save electricity.
* These goals were also recommended by the Governor's Commission on Climate Change as a way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions in Virginia.
* According to the ACEEE, the bill would have saved Virginia ratepayers $15 billion between now and 2025, and created 10,000 new jobs. * Senator Saslaw heard from hundreds of constituents on this issue, in the form of handwritten letters, phone calls, emails, and personal visits. Instead of listening to his constituents, he chose to follow his biggest donor. * In voting against this bill Sen. Saslaw went against his constituents, his party, and his state.
The bottom line is this: Dick Saslaw is good on some issues, but he's utterly abysmal on energy and the environment. Given the urgency of those issues to our environment, our economy, and our national security, Dick Saslaw needs to be primaried and defeated in 2011. Unless, of course, Saslaw gets with the 21st century, the science, and the sentiments of his district's voters before then. Don't hold your breath.
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From the media release:
"Moving a comprehensive clean energy jobs plan through a committee historically dominated by those with ties to the oil, coal, and other polluting industries is a laudable victory and truly historic accomplishment", writes Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club in a statement released this morning.
Did you know that of the ten United States cities with the largest population of veterans, six are in Virginia (and more specifically Hampton Roads): Hampton (27%), Virginia Beach (22%), Norfolk (20%), Newport News (20%), Chesapeake (19%) and Portsmouth (18%).
From Sierra Club's Josh Dorner:
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