Rep Moran and Hundreds Say No To Coal!

Hundreds of Northern Virginians gathered at a town hall meeting last night to discuss the antiquated use of coal in Virginia and the opportunities provided by a clean energy future. The public forum, which drew an estimated 200 people, focused on the connection between two coal-fired power plants in Virginia — the Mirant Plant in Alexandria and the proposed Dominion power plant in Wise County — and mountaintop removal coal mining.

Rep Moran“Burning fossil fuels is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and burning coal is about the worst thing we can do,” said Congressman Jim Moran. “With 50 percent of our electricity generated by coal-fired power plants, it will take a realistic but focused and determined effort to reduce greenhouse emissions from coal-fired plants and increase the use of cleaner, alternative sources of energy.”

At a time when states from Kansas to Texas are rejecting permits to build new coal plants, speakers tonight argued that building a new coal-fired power plant, as Dominion Virginia Power is proposing to do in SW Virginia, would put Virginia behind the curve when it comes to investing in renewable energy.

“We are all Virginians, even those in southwest Virginia, said Kathy Selvage, a Wise County resident who spoke at the forum. “The proposed Wise County plant will spew 25 million pounds of pollutants into our air each year. While Gov. Kaine and Dominion tell us that this plant will be good for the economy, they have not taken into account the increased need for health care, or those components that are truly priceless like the preservation of the air we breathe, the water we drink, or the fish we eat.”
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Alexandria Town Forum with Rep. Moran (2/5) — Coal and Clean Energy — Please Attend

Join Congressman Jim Moran and Alexandria Vice Mayor Del Pepper on Tuesday, February 5th for a town hall meeting to discuss the antiquated use of coal in Virginia and our clean energy future. The event will focus on the connection between two coal-fired power plants in Virginia — the Mirant Plant in Alexandria and the proposed Dominion power plant in Wise County — and our connection to mountaintop removal coal mining.

There is a better way to provide Virginians with energy that doesn’t pollute our air and water, that doesn’t destroy our mountains, and that doesn’t contribute to global warming. Come to the town hall meeting to hear about the consequences of Virginia’s reliance on coal, our clean energy future, and how you can be part of the solution.

Hear experts, politicians and activists talk about Virginia coal and clean energy. The talk is to be directly followed by a question and answer session to let you speak your mind about coal, global warming, and renewable energy.

DATE: Tues., Feb. 5th, 7pm-9pm (tabling & schmoozing from 6:30pm-7pm)

LOCATION: Lyles Crouch Elementary School, 530 South Saint Asaph Street, Alexandria, VA MAP
At the Corner of South Saint Asaph and Gibbon St. — one block east (towards the water) of Washington St.

COST: Free! Continue reading

Business, faith, enviro groups laud landmark bill to cut energy costs, pollution in DC

Business, faith, and environmental groups today praised landmark energy legislation introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh and co-sponsored by Councilmember Marion Barry. The “Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2007” aims to create a sustainable energy utility that will launch energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in the District that save people money and create opportunities for green collar jobs. Continue reading

Wise County Air Pollution Control Board Hearing, Alexandria, VA

Where are you NoVa? I am currently sitting here at the at the lovely Holiday Inn on Eisenhower Ave, at a public Air Pollution Control Board hearing — one of the first of these types of hearings — and it is me, Kayti from the Sierra Club, Ernie from NOTICe, a few other activists and a room full of Dominion suits. The front row is literally comprised solely of Dominion “experts” who are working the podium, seemingly in a rotation, in an effort to deflect criticism and offer non-answers to serious questions. We have to be outnumbered… or at least that is the feeling that I am getting…

Dominion is talking the talk about how the proposed Wise County CFB coal fired power plant is going to be the best thing since sliced bread — how they their plant can use waste coal and biomass like wood-chips, how their plant will have lower SOx and NOx emissions than an IGCC coal plant. Yes, there are lots of wonky terms at a hearing like this (PSM, public health, environment, endanger), that not everyone will understand, but the feeling of deceit is palpable and accessible to everyone in attendance.

For example:

The presentation from Dominion to the Board included a large section about CCS, carbon capture and sequestration, and how compatible the Wise County plant may be, if the technology one day becomes available at a cost-effective price, with CCS and how that should mean that Virginians should not worry about this plant’s estimated 5.4 million tons of annual CO2 emissions. When asked when we could expect the plant to start to turn CCS compatibility into CCS reality, the Dominion speaker said, “decades.” Continue reading

Amazing Solutions Rally in Annapolis – what's next?

Yesterday morning, in the middle of a snowstorm, hundreds of activists gathered in Annapolis, chanting and waving banners in support of the Maryland Global Warming Solutions Act. As one of the folks who has spent the past few months organizing it and getting people to come out, it was such an amazing experience to see all of these committed activists in one place, calling for the passage of this landmark legislation.

WBAL was one of the many media sources there, and included a great video:

There was also great coverage in the Annapolis Capital, the Baltimore Sun, and the Baltimore Examiner.

You may be wondering, “Now that we’ve had this awesome rally with all sorts of buzz around it, what are the next steps? What can I do to make sure that this momentum keeps going?”

First of all, write a letter to your newspaper. Were you at the rally? Tell your local paper your story – why are Global Warming Solutions so important to you as a citizen of Maryland that you braved wintry weather to show your support? Weren’t able to make it? No worries! You can still write a letter to the editor showing support for the Global Warming Soluitons Act, and calling on your elected officials to support this legislation.

Which brings me to next step #2: write a letter to Mike Busch, Speaker of the House of Delegates, calling on him to support the Global Warming Solutions Act.

And if you’re *really* excited about everything that’s happening, put the next Annapolis convergence on your calendar: Monday, February 18th is Environmental Action Day. Learn about environmental issues (include the Global Warming Solutions Act, the energy efficiency bill, and critical areas), get trained on lobbying, and then go talk to your legislators!

Dirty Tricks in the Virginia Statehouse – Act NOW!

In an obvious move to blunt the effects of the Virginia Conservation Network’s Lobby Day on Monday the 21st, the Senate has bumped up the vote on SB423, the Citizen Board Abolition Bill, to 9:30 am Monday morning, well before our people arrive at the capitol.

SB423, a Citizen Board Abolition Bill in the Senate, is set for a vote THIS MONDAY at 9:30AM. This bill, if passed would make it far harder for us to fight the Wise County coal plant by taking away the VETO POWER of the Air Pollution Control Board, a citizen group which works with the Department of the Environmental Quality. If the Air Board loses permitting authority, which the bill asks for, Dominion gets a rubber stamp to build whatever they want.

What You Can DO:

1. Notify everyone you know.2. Call your Senator NOW and give them the message using the talking points below..Find your Senator – http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform3. Call BY FRIDAY 5PM!! (Both ones from home address and school address).4. If your Senator is listed here: It’s SO IMPORTANT that you send this to others from your area since they will decide first in committee!!! (Alexandria) Ticer (Chairman), (Arlington) Whipple, Hanger, (Midlothian) Watkins, (Martinsville) Reynolds, Puckett, (Clarksville) Ruff, (Chesapeake) Blevins, (Charlottesville) Deeds, (Harrisonburg)Obenshain, (Mechanicsville) McDougle, (Richmond) McEachin, (Fairfax) Petersen, (Norfolk) Northam, (Montross) Stuart Continue reading

Kaine's ONE environmental initiative – not so environmental.

It’s the 2008 legislative session in Virginia. Do you know where your Governor is?

Well, on climate, he’s nowhere to be found. Speaking before the Senate Finance Committee, Preston Bryant (Va Secretary of Natural Resources) confirmed what we’ve all been noticing – environment isn’t high on the Governor’s list this legislative session. Thus far, the Governor has not made public statements or lent his support to any climate/energy initiatives. And Mr. Bryant noted that the Governor has ONE environmental/energy initiative this session.

Perhaps he’s referring to the Governor’s attempt to dismantle our citizen pollution boards, which give us a voice in permitting of polluting industries. Legislators report that they’ve been hit up all week by administration staff.

So, instead of supporting great initiatives like the Clean Energy Future Act Governor Kaine is trying to take away our voice with the Department of Environmental Quality. Earlier today, Governor Kaine took questions on a Washington Post live forum to discuss important issues in Virginia for 2008. Climate and energy weren’t mentioned once.

There should be an outcry at the Governor’s inaction – letters to the editor, calls, emails. The Governor’s # is (804) 786-2211. Let him know that climate should be a priority.

OK, he’s got an energy plan. We’ve got a Climate Commission. Governor Kaine testified before Congress on the impacts of global warming on the Chesapeake Bay. Where is the solution. Where is the plan??? This is unacceptable.

If the Governor doesn’t have a plan, at least he should support the Clean Energy Future Act. Or in the least, don’t take away the Citizen Boards. No pollution without representation.

Virginia – Who REALLY cares about Global Warming?

As of today, I have nine names for you. Nine champions for the environment. Nine brave legislatures have already co-patroned the Clean Energy Future Act, Senator Chap Petersen’s bold plan for Virginia.

CO-PATRONS OF SB446, The Clean Energy Future Act
* Senators Chap Petersen, Roscoe Reynolds, and Patsy Ticer
* Delegates Adam Ebbin, David Englin, David Poisson, Joe Bouchard, David Toscano, Margaret Vanderhyde

Is your legislator one of them? If not, ask your legislator to co-patron the Clean Energy Future Act.

Now, this ain’t bad for one day of grueling work walking the capitol. I enjoyed it. But it would be a lot more fun if I had company. So come on down and join the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and VCN for Clean Energy Lobby Day. Its this Monday, January 21st. Yes, I know its MLK day – what better way to celebrate you day off them to join with other concerned citizens to try to save the climate. Register today.

Have any more updates on this great bill? Write to josh[at]chesapeakeclimate.org. The climate needs all the help it can get, and so do we.

BWT – This bill will go through the Commerce and Labor Committee in the Senate. None of them are currently co-sponsors. If you know them, show them some love.

Mark Herring, Don McEachin, Chuck Colgan, John Edwards, Yvonne Miller, Toddy Puller , Phil Puckett, Frank Wagner, John C. Watkins, Tommy Norment, William Wampler, Steve Newman, Walter Stosch, Ken Stolle.