Twenty Influential Virginia Groups Warn of Disaster If FEMA Is Dissolved in Letter Delivered to Governor Youngkin

Groups Highlight Risks to Virginia and Urge Youngkin to Use His Seat on FEMA Review Council to Defend Federal Disaster Aid

RICHMOND, VA— In a unified call to action, 20 Virginia advocacy organizations, including the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, delivered a letter today urging Governor Glenn Youngkin to defend and strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the Trump Administration considers dismantling it. The coalition, representing housing, climate, conservation, and mutual aid groups, pressed Youngkin to use his influential seat on the FEMA Review Council to oppose any efforts to dissolve the agency amid escalating climate disasters. 

READ THE LETTER IN FULL HERE

The letter reminds Governor Youngkin that the scale and intensity of climate disasters are increasing, with skyrocketing costs accompanying the urgency for resilient systems and infrastructure. Additionally, it reminds him that Virginia has depended on FEMA for support during his term as governor. While Governor Youngkin suggested that Virginia could handle the costs of any extreme disaster without federal support, Virginia’s US Senator Mark Warner has expressed deep concerns that a major disaster matching the scale of 2024’s devastating Hurricane Helene could bankrupt the state if federal support is not available. 

The Trump Administration’s proposal to scrap FEMA, including the recent cancellation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure Community program, has sparked alarm among state and local leaders. That program alone brought millions of dollars in investments to Virginia cities that would have directly benefited communities and their property. 

The FEMA Review Council is set to release a report of its recommended changes to FEMA this fall, including the possibility of dissolving FEMA entirely. This moment marks a crucial opportunity for Virginians to advocate for guaranteed federal disaster relief in the age of climate change-fueled record-breaking weather events. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that 2023 saw an unprecedented total of 2028 multi-billion-dollar disasters. NOAA’s Chief Scientist at the time remarked that 2023 was likely “the warmest year on record for the planet” and that the high marked the latest in weather extremes that will persist as climate change accelerates. 

“Governor Youngkin, now is the time to lead,” said Gabby Walton, Federal Campaigns Associate for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Stand up for every Virginian and publicly commit to strengthening FEMA and federal disaster relief. With Virginians facing record-breaking disasters due to climate change and the real threat of losing vital federal support, we cannot afford political gamesmanship with our safety and future. We urge you to use your seat on the FEMA Review Council to reject any plan to dismantle FEMA and to fight for the resources our communities need to survive and recover.”

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Community Victory: Chesapeake City Council Denies Major Rezoning, Rejects Data Center and Virginia Natural Gas’s Compressor Station 

Council vote marks major win for environmental justice and public health as city rejects plans to locate polluting facilities in vulnerable neighborhoods

CHESAPEAKE, VA – In a landmark decision for environmental justice and community health, the Chesapeake City Council voted Tuesday night to deny a sweeping rezoning request from Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) that would have converted VNG properties to industrial use, paving the way for more polluting industry in the area. This decisive rejection is a major win for residents and a clear rebuke of the proposed compressor station, which would have posed serious risks to local residential neighborhoods. The vote follows a concerted advocacy campaign from Eva Gardens and Crestwood civic leagues, Chesapeake residents, and environmental groups, who raised urgent concerns about pollution, safety, and the disproportionate burden placed on already disadvantaged communities.

The proposed Chesapeake Compressor Station would have pumped gas through multiple pipelines – such as the Virginia Reliability Pipeline and the Southside Connector Pipeline– threatening neighborhoods including Georgetown, Gilmerton, Crestwood, Eva Gardens, Belvin Heights, and the Westover Trailer Mobile community. Georgetown residents have tirelessly advocated against the Southside Connector pipeline, raising concerns about pollution, safety, and the disproportionate burden placed on already disadvantaged communities. 

Compressor stations are known sources of air pollutants and greenhouse gases — including methane, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogens like benzene — that degrade air quality, harm health, and contribute to climate change. The constant noise and risk of leaks, fires, or explosions make these facilities especially dangerous in densely populated or vulnerable communities. Tuesday night’s meeting also saw the council chambers packed with community members who spoke out forcefully against the first large data center in Hampton Roads, citing concerns about environmental impacts and threats to local quality of life. Residents made it clear that they do not want their neighborhoods to become dumping grounds for a “dirty data center” that fuels climate change without requirements to run on clean energy. 

Tuesday’s vote is a resounding affirmation of the community’s right to clean air, safety, and meaningful participation in decisions that affect their future. As environmental protections are under attack, the city council’s decision shows local leaders are listening to residents and prioritizing environmental justice and the health and well-being of our communities. 

In reaction to the City Council decision, Chesapeake residents and advocates released the following statements:

“This is a win for humanity, health, environmental justice, and a prosperous life for generations to come,” said Joseph Davis, Eva Gardens Civic League’s President. “This will allow our community to avoid exposure to daily toxic pollutants, noise, and volatile organic compounds that lower air quality, which are linked to asthma, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease (COPD), and cancer. By voting down the compressor project and the M1 light industry application, we would not add any more toxic pollutants and chemical dispersion within our communities, daycares, and schools. I was happy to see City Council Members value their citizens’ humanity, health, and well-being for long lives.”

“As a resident of Eva Gardens, I am happy that the city council acknowledged the possible dangers associated with VNG’s request and voted against their hazardous proposal,” said Sarah Eason Williams, Resident of Eva Gardens. “Research clearly shows the harmful effects of compressor stations on the environment and human health. The neighborhood owes a debt of gratitude to the diligent efforts of Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Cheryl Davis, the leaders of our civic league, as well as others who were in attendance.”

“The Chesapeake City Council heard the people and delivered a win for generations when they denied Virginia Natural Gas’ rezoning application to build two compressor units in the city that would disproportionately impact marginalized communities. The value of this victory cannot be overstated since it was crucial to the buildout of the Virginia Reliability Project (a massive fracked gas pipeline), essentially rendering the pipeline project dead,” said Lynn Godfrey, Environmental Justice Community Leader. 

“The city council’s decision to reject the compressor station and data center sends a clear message: no community should be a sacrifice zone for polluting industries,” said Leianis Gunn, Hampton Roads Organizer at Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “This victory belongs to the people of Chesapeake who stood up for their health, safety, and future. Environmental justice means no single neighborhood bears more than its share of pollution. Chesapeake took a bold step towards that vision.”

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Your Electricity Bill Will Rise This Summer. Guess Why?

By Ayla Frost, CCAN, and Harrison Pyros, We Power DC

Keep an eye on your electricity bills this summer! As we know, climate change is making our summers hotter, and more households are cranking up the air conditioning. But that isn’t the main reason your bill is skyrocketing. Pepco’s latest bill increase follows a pattern of rate hikes that it’s been forcing on customers for years – and we can’t keep footing the bill.

Why is Pepco raising rates?

Source: Brattle Economic Analysis of Clean Energy Tax Credits Report

This June, the rates we pay for electricity are set to increase due to a bias against clean energy by D.C.’s regional power grid operator, PJM. PJM (Pennsylvania — New Jersey — Maryland) serves as “air traffic control” for the electrical grid, coordinating the movement of electricity to meet demand. 

Utilities like Pepco get their electricity through PJM’s regional grid, and currently, the cost for that energy is on the rise. This is because fossil fuels are less reliable than solar and wind plants and more prone to fail during extreme weather. As PJM consistently prioritizes unreliable fossil fuels over clean energy, it has to tap into additional resources to keep the grid afloat when fossil fuels fail — creating additional cost that is, of course, passed on to consumers.

This means that Pepco customers can expect to pay up to 18% more on their Pepco bills starting this June. And that’s not all. This rate hike fits into an alarming pattern of rate increases by Pepco and other utilities in the D.C. region. 

Just five months ago, in January, Pepco was responsible for another rate hike, which increased electricity rates in D.C. for the third year in a row. 

Why so many hikes? Quite honestly, they’re doing this because they can. In practice, Pepco has a monopoly on our electricity in D.C., and is regulated by D.C.’s Public Service Commission, which is responsible for protecting consumers, regulating monopolies, and conserving natural resources. Unfortunately, right now, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is failing to protect D.C. residents from higher bills. The PSC has already approved Pepco’s “Climate Ready Pathway D.C. Multi-Year Plan,” which means D.C. communities can expect more hikes in the coming years. 

Residents are already struggling to pay for housing, groceries, health care, education, and so much more. We can’t keep footing the bill for energy monopolies’ corporate greed. We are entering a serious crisis of energy affordability, and the PSC is failing to stop it. D.C. Council needs to step in to protect ratepayers from this crisis. 

While decisionmakers drag their feet, here’s what you can do right now to lower your energy bills: 

How can I lower my utility bills?

Apply for assistance! The D.C. government offers many services to help residents afford their utility bills. You also may qualify for utility discounts or credits. Starting in October, you may be able to save money through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is one of many programs currently targeted by the Trump administration, and its future remains uncertain. 

Electrify your appliances. You’ll save money on your bills if you upgrade your old appliances, including water heaters, clothes dryers, and gas stoves. DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) offers programs to help you afford the switch to energy-efficient electric appliances like heat pumps, smart thermostats, and induction stoves. If you’re eligible, swapping out your appliances might be completely free!

Increase your energy efficiency. If you qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program, you can receive an energy audit and free upgrades to increase the efficiency of your home. These won’t make your home electric, but they can help save you money, and weatherization will also help the environment. 

Get solar panels. DCSEU offers Community Solar and Solar for All programs to install solar panels on your roof for free, if you qualify! DC also offers Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) for solar energy generation. These can be traded or sold, in effect earning you dividends for providing green energy. 

We are lucky to have programs that can help D.C. residents – whether we rent or own our homes – pay our bills. But this is a crisis that we can’t fix with band-aids, we need to address the root of the issue.

How can I fight these rate hikes?

We need you with us. CCAN and our partners at We Power DC are working hard to hold our utilities accountable. We’ve turned out dozens to testify against proposed rate hikes, and submitted comments in droves. Now it’s time to push D.C. Council to protect us from cash-grab rate hikes BEFORE they happen. 

Take the Climate Action Survey to join CCAN’s team of volunteers pushing back on Washington Gas’ reckless rate hikes. Fired up about holding Pepco accountable? Join We Power DC to advocate for publicly owned utilities in D.C.  

About the author: Ayla Frost (she/her) joined CCAN in January 2024 as DC Intern, and has worked as a full-time DC Organizer since September 2024. Ayla grew up in Oakland, California, but her childhood was marked by frequent trips to family in Baltimore, Maryland.

Over time, she developed a deep fondness for both of the bays in her life – the San Francisco Bay and the Chesapeake Bay – and became determined to do what she could to protect the natural world. As she learned more about the climate sphere, her real passion in the climate world was listening, connecting with, and uplifting the voices of people. 

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