State Senator Patsy Ticer, Loudoun County Supervisor Andrea McGimsey, a leading foundation and a community activist also honored in first annual Va. ceremony

State Senator Patsy Ticer, Loudoun County Supervisor Andrea McGimsey, a leading foundation and a community activist also honored in first annual Va. ceremony

ALEXANDRIA, VA (7/1/10)—On behalf of its 90,000 supporters across the region, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network named Congressman Jim Moran as recipient of its highest annual honor. The “Virginia Climate Leadership Award” was presented to the Congressman for his strong support of comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation and his active opposition to offshore oil drilling along Virginia’s coasts.

“Sadly, in the wake of the BP oil spill, the mantra ‘drill baby, drill’ has been replaced by the shrill cries of birds and other coastal animals that are drowning in miles of toxic sludge, the moans of people who’ve lost their livelihoods due to the spill’s impact on fishing and tourism, and the haunting silence of the voiceless—the fish, coral and microscopic beings that make up the delicate ecosystems of our ocean, estuaries and marshes,” said Congressman Moran.  “The ongoing oil drilling disaster in the Gulf should serve as a wakeup call for all Americans: it’s time to beat our addiction to fossil fuel and get serious about conservation, efficiency and moving towards a clean, sustainable energy future.”

At its first annual “Climate Champions Ceremony” at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Wednesday evening, CCAN also awarded climate leadership prizes to a Northern Virginia state senator, a member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, a community leader, and a leading environmental foundation.

State Senator Patricia (Patsy) Ticer (D-Alexandria), and Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac), who is a member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, also received “Virginia Climate Leadership Awards” from CCAN.

Senator Ticer has been deeply committed to solving the environmental issues facing the commonwealth since she was elected in 1995. During the 2010 session, she introduced the first-ever Stream Saver bill to stop the destruction caused by mountaintop removal coal mining in southwest Virginia.

Supervisor McGimsey was a driving force in developing the “Loudoun County Energy Strategy,” a comprehensive approach that includes strategies for county facilities and residents and businesses. Thanks in large part to her work, the National Association of Counties recognized Loudoun County for being one of two counties that will serve as a beacon at the local government level for its County Energy Planning effort.

 

“Virginia is lucky to have elected officials like Senator Ticer and Supervisor McGimsey,” said Mike Tidwell, CCAN director. “Their tireless work promoting clean energy, good jobs, and a better quality of life too often goes unrecognized. This is our way of taking a moment to thank them for their dedication.”

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network also presented awards to Heidi Binko, Associate Director of Special Climate Initiatives at the Rockefeller Family Fund, and Burke resident Edward Jaffee. The Rockefeller Family Fund is a distinguished leader in supporting clean energy and climate solutions across Virginia and nationwide. Mr. Jaffee was awarded for his outstanding work leading efforts to curb global warming in Virginia at a grassroots level.

CCAN’s “Virginia Climate Leadership Award” will be presented annually to individuals and organizations in Virginia who have exhibited exceptional leadership in fighting global warming through clean, efficient energy. Prior recipients of CCAN’s Climate Leadership award include U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Maryland State Senator Paul Pinsky, Maryland House Majority Leader Kumar Barve, and the Town Creek Foundation.

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the oldest and largest grassroots organization in Virginia dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. CCAN has as robust tradition of fighting for clean energy and wise climate policy in Virginia. 

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Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Restaurant Eve, The Stella Group, Ltd., OPOWER, Continuum Energy Solutions, George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, EcoVOce and Whole Foods.

Many thanks for our host committee: Tony Noerpel, Sustainable Loudoun, Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, Susan and Bruce Glickman, Julie Bruns, Stephen Vandivere, and Alison and Loren Denton.