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
What You Can DO:
In my seven years as a full-time climate activist in this region I’ve never been more inspired than at the snowy “Flood Annapolis” rally on Thursday, January 17th. At least 350 people from age two to 82 came from all over Maryland to gather on a weekday morning in a heavy snowstorm! You KNOW there’s deep, deep concern about an issue when that happens. What other grassroots issue in Maryland
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.
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.
This just in from the Earth Policy Institute
Northern Hemisphere Temperature Highest Ever
With the record for 2007 now complete, it is clear that temperatures around the world are continuing their upward climb. The global average in 2007 was 14.73 degrees Celsius (58.5 degrees Fahrenheit) Continue reading
EPA Blocks States from Cutting Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles
“On Wednesday December 19th, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Stephen Johnson announced that he was denying a waiver for California under the Clean Air Act to implement global warming pollution standards for cars and trucks Continue reading
You’ve changed your lightbulbs. You bought a hybrid? What can you do now to help stop global warming? Fight for the Clean Energy Future Act!
Senator Chap Petersen has officially submitted the Clean Energy Solution Act, bill SB 446. This bill will usher in the clean energy revolution in Virginia, mandating that we get 20% of our energy from clean sources like wind and solar, reduce our electricity by 10%.
It’s gonna be a tough fight. The first step is to build support for this. Legislators have until January 18th to being official “co-patrons” on the bill. Is your legislator on board? Even before the vote, your elected official can show their support by becoming a Co-Patron of the bill, but they have to sign on by Jan 18th.
For a basic script and talking points Continue reading
On January 8th, hundreds of people from all over the state descended upon Richmond to have their voices heard by the State Corporation Commission on the issue of whether to build another coal fired power plant in Wise County. By our count, there were over 300 dissenters at the hearing (a number so large that we required a spillover courtroom to hold us all), 177 of which were registered to testify. These numbers are in addition to the 815 people who submitted written testimony to the SCC by the December deadline. The testimony was strong, and the message was clear: we don’t want coal!
Lawyers who have been working with the SCC for upwards to 30 years have said that they have never seen anything like the public turnout that the Wise County plant is receiving.
But this is more than just the sheer numbers; this is about who was there, where they were from, and how they got there.
The State Corporation Commission is holding a hearing RIGHT NOW on Dominion’s plans for another coal plant. This proposed new plant would cost at least $1.6 billion of your hard-earned money, exacerbate mountaintop removal, and pump out 5.8 million tons of CO2 every year.
Hundreds of you already submitted comments on the subject – and that was a great first step. But comments are not enough. Many more have ditched school, taken off from work, and are taking this next crucial step. People from all across Virginia today will speak their mind to the SCC- the agency charged with deciding Virginia’s energy future!
Our fight against Dominion Virginia Power’s proposed coal plant really picked up speed at the end of last year. Arlington, Blacksburg and Charlottesville have all passed resolutions opposing new coal. And just yesterday the Bristol Herald Courier, the local Southwest Va. paper, wrote an amazing editorial calling the plant a raw deal in an unprecedented about-face.
Stay tuned for updates!
Things are heating up in Maryland- quite literally, with temperatures here in Takoma Park hitting the high-60s. Which is why I’m excited about kicking off session with a big celebration and rally for global warming solutions right here in the Old Line State. Because if we don’t act soon, Annapolis may well start to look like this…
Next Thursday, January 17th, hundreds of activists will be gathering on Lawyer’s Mall at 11 am to show support for the Global Warming Solutions Act, cheer on their legislators as they pledge to co-sponsor the bill, and get pumped up about getting this bill passed by April. Want to join us? Register today!
This event is sponsored by the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions. Part of an organization and want Maryland to pass the Global Warming Solutions Act? Join the alliance today!