Bipartisan state bill would create Virginia’s first dedicated funding stream for adaptation—a key missing piece in the race to combat flooding
NORFOLK—Dawone Robinson, Virginia Policy Director at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, had the following statement in response to the federal announcement that Virginia will receive a $120.5 million grant for urgently needed sea-level rise adaptation projects in the Hampton Roads region:
“The federal government has come through with a critically needed down payment toward adaptation solutions in Hampton Roads. But much more is needed to help localities across Virginia deal with the mounting costs of flooding driven by sea level rise and climate disruption.
“So far, local governments have largely shouldered these costs alone, and they urgently need help. To put the federal award in context, Norfolk alone needs at least $1 billion to fully prepare for rising seas, which is equal to the city’s entire annual government operating budget. Today’s award does not cover Virginia Beach, the state’s largest city and one of the most vulnerable to storm surges. We need shared solutions at all levels of government, and a key missing piece is a dedicated state revenue stream to share the burden of adaptation costs with localities.
“Our state lawmakers must step up now by passing the Virginia Coastal Protection Act. This bipartisan bill will generate Virginia’s first dedicated source of funds to help localities statewide fight sea level rise and flooding. Virginia will receive more than $250 million per year in new revenue under a regional, market-based system that reduces carbon emissions, the key driver of rising seas. The legislation put forward by Senator McEachin (D-Henrico) and Delegate Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach) will dedicate a full half of those funds toward fighting sea level rise and flooding. The federal government has acted, and now it’s the General Assembly’s turn.”
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: On Monday, January 25th, hundreds of Virginians—including a bus full of 50 Hampton Roads residents—will converge on Richmond to urge state lawmakers to pass the Virginia Coastal Protection Act, as part of the annual Conservation Lobby Day in Richmond. During an action outside the General Assembly building, activists will highlight the irreversible damage that could come from inaction on climate change. Coastal residents will wear yellow rain boots to signify the immediate threat of flooding in their home cities.
Journalists can cover Monday’s action starting at 11 a.m. near the equestrian statue beside the Capitol building and ending with a photo op and remarks at the Bell Tower from 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
A fact sheet on the Virginia Coastal Protection Act (SB 571/HB 351), and how it would fund flooding solutions, is available at: http://chesapeakeclimate.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2016-CCAN-VA-Coastal-Protection-Act-Factsheet.pdf
Contact:
Dawone Robinson, 804-767-0372, dawone@chesapeakeclimate.org
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@cheapeakeclimate.org
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