Major legislation to move Virginia forward in addressing climate change is before the Virginia General Assembly this week and next in Richmond. In recent days, a diverse and growing set of voices — from pediatricians to scientists to student leaders to low-income housing advocates — have urged legislators to pass this bill, called the Virginia Coastal Protection Act.
This powerful bipartisan bill is the biggest way our state can take action on climate in this General Assembly session. The bill will cut carbon pollution while raising critical funds to protect our coast from rising seas and support climate solutions statewide.
Here’s what our supporters are saying:
American Association of Pediatrics
“Global warming is a major threat to the health, safety and security of children in Virginia. As global temperatures rise, many other major changes are occurring, including melting glaciers, worsening storms and rising sea levels. These fundamental changes ultimately impact human health, and children are at particularly high risk.
Climate change presents other significant health risks to children. These include increased heat illness, worsening respiratory and allergic disease due to impacts on air quality and plant pollen production, and changes in patterns of climate sensitive infections.”
Norfolk City Council Resolution in support of Virginia Coastal Protection Act.
“Localities in the Hampton Roads region recognize the need for increased resources to implement local adaptation plans and acknowledge that coordination throughout all levels of government is required to provide adequate solutions to the region’s growing flooding risks.”
“Virginia is already experiencing coastal impacts, including an increase in the frequency and severity of tidal flooding. Scientists in Virginia and around the nation have documented how the problem of rising sea level, which is largely the result of our changing climate, will continue to get worse.
Only one of the bills the committee is taking up offers a common sense solution to cut the carbon pollution that fuels climate change and decrease its devastating impacts on the state. Unfortunately, the remaining three bills would leave Virginia on a trajectory that exacerbates their existing dilemma. Efforts to block the carbon pollution rules that promise greater coastal protections, cleaner air and a safer climate seem shortsighted and ill-advised.”
“This bill would directly aid our main constituency, low and moderate income renters and homeowners. At least half of the 30% that would go towards energy efficiency and clean energy programs under this bill would go towards energy efficiency improvements for the low and moderate residential sectors. This arrangement would have the dual benefit of aiding Virginia in reaching its energy use and carbon reduction goals while helping Virginians that struggle with the cost of their housing save money and live more comfortably.”
Virginia Student Environmental Coalition
“The stakes of inaction are not limited to fluctuations in electricity prices. Failure to address carbon emissions within our state is a gamble with the future of the youth generation today and with the viability of this planet to house your grandchildren. I implore you to stand up for future generations by supporting this common sense legislation. I ask you to be responsible for your children and myself. Leave us a planet that allows us to aspire for greatness.”
The Washington Post Editorial Board
“Starting next year, the EPA will demand that every state’s power sector meet specific emissions targets, with the goal of cutting the electricity industry’s national carbon footprint by 30 percent of 2005 levels by 2030. But states have flexibility about how they comply with the EPA’s mandate. They can choose traditional, command-and-control regulation that imposes changes on power plants, promotes renewables or cuts electricity waste. Or they can take a more efficient, market-based approach that would cost less money, require less hassle and raise revenue for the state. Del. Ronald A. Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach) has a bill that would do the latter.”
Update: The Senate version Virginia Coastal Protection Act (SB1428) fell one vote short of passing the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. The house version of the Virginia Coastal Protection Act (HB2205) will continue on through House Commerce and Labor Subcommittee on Energy, Tuesday, February 3rd.
Read the full letters and articles here:
American Association of Pediatrics Senate Letter.
American Association of Pediatrics House Letter.
“Hampton Roads Mayors Bring Concerns to Richmond.” 1/29/2015. The Virginian-Pilot.
Norfolk City Council Resolution in support of VA Coastal Protection Act.
Union of Concerned Scientists Letter Supporting VA CPA.
Virginia Housing Coalition Support Letter SB 1428.
VSEC Letter of Support for VA Coastal Protection Act.
“Virginia’s move to cut emissions the smart way.” 1/25/2015. The Washington Post.
