D.C. Residents Disrupt Public Service Commission Hearing Over Washington Gas’s $215 Million Pipeline Cash Grab

Songs, chants and comedic clown noises shake PSC chambers as Washington Gas faces public fury over rising leaks, soaring bills, and a massive new pipeline spending request.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The D.C. Public Service Commission (PSC) hearing on Washington Gas’s pipeline replacement program, Project Pipes, had to stop in its tracks today, as residents broke into protest songs, clapping, and noisemaking to call out what they described as the gas utility’s corporate greed and the Commission’s continued failure to protect ratepayers.  

The protest came as Washington Gas faced scrutiny for its poor safety record and its latest request to pour another $215 million of customer money into the third phase of its failing, over-budget methane gas pipeline replacement program. The company’s proposal, a 43% spending increase over its prior plan, follows a 13% rate hike, set to take effect on New Year’s Day, both measures that will significantly boost corporate profits for the utility’s shareholders. 

The hearing periodically erupted with songs, chanting, clapping, and comedic “clown noises” from local advocates and residents frustrated by years of inaction. Demonstrators held signs reading “Reject District (un)SAFE” and “PSC Do Your Job”, turning the proceeding into a spontaneous act of public resistance. 

“D.C. families are struggling to make ends meet this holiday season. Meanwhile, Washington Gas is looking to pad its profits again,” said Claire Mills, DC Campaigns Manager at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund. “In just the past few weeks, the Public Service Commission has allowed the utility to raise gas rates on District residents and extended its pipeline replacement program to tune of another $25 million — all of which will be paid by District residents. As utility regulators remain asleep at the wheel and leave Washington Gas’ corporate greed unchecked, advocates today spoke out in protest to ensure families and residents have access to affordable, reliable heating that doesn’t break the bank. Today’s disruption was a cry for accountability, and a demand that our regulators finally wake up.” 

In February 2025, eight D.C. council members urged the Commission to reject Washington Gas’s funding request, warning it does not “meaningfully advance the goal of providing both safe and reliable power to District residents.” Despite these concerns, the Commission has repeatedly approved measures that transfer costs onto consumers, including $12.5 million pipeline fee included in the 13% rate hike and a $25 million extension of the previous Project Pipes 2 earlier this fall. 

Washington Gas’s continued pipeline spending has done little to improve safety. The company’s own data shows that gas leak reports have risen as much as 25% from 2020 to 2024, and in October 2024, the utility took more than six hours to respond to a gas odor emergency.  Regulators fined Washington Gas $180,000 for “failing to adequately report gas leaks, gas emergencies, and gas outages.” Independent data shows ‘grade 1’ gas leaks rose 40% from 2014 to 2023, while researchers identified more than 400 gas leaks in 2022. Gas leaks are estimated to cost D.C. taxpayers $674 million annually. At the hearing, Earthjustice Senior Attorney Tim Oberleiton cross-examined Washington Gas’s track record on gas pipeline spending as part of the Commission’s deliberations.

For every mile of gas pipeline replaced, Washington Gas passes the cost to consumers, along with extra billing that turns into corporate profits. Washington Gas’s pipeline spending is on track to cost District residents $12 billion, bills D.C. families will keep paying for decades. Already, one in seven residents are behind on their gas bills, with Washington Gas shutting off service to nearly 3,000 customers in 2024. Meanwhile, last week, Washington Gas’s parent company, AltaGas, announced a 6% dividend increase to shareholders, citing both the recent 13% rate hike and continued capital spending as drivers behind the company’s growth. 

Watch the live stream recording on our Facebook account HERE.

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund is dedicated to driving change in public policies at the local, state, and national levels to address the climate crisis. Through voter education, lobbying, and participation in the electoral process, we seek to advance our country’s leadership in the global movement toward clean energy solutions — focusing our efforts primarily in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. We know that a vibrant democracy is central to our success so we work to defend democratic integrity wherever we can.

Chesterfield Decision an Affront to Environmental Justice and Climate Goals

Climate Group Criticizes Short-Sighted Decision to Approve Chesterfield Gas Plant

Controversial plant will further a legacy of environmental injustice in Chesterfield


RICHMOND, VA — Despite years of vocal opposition from nearby residents as well as health, climate, and racial justice organizations, the State Corporation Commission approved today the 944-Megawatt Chesterfield gas plant, clearing the way for its construction. The plant will be constructed on the site of a former coal plant and, despite being billed as a “cleaner” option, will produce more toxic and planet-warming pollutants than the former coal plant, including dangerous substances like fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and volatile organic compounds, as well as billions of pounds of greenhouse gasses. It will cost ratepayers $8 billion over its lifetime.

 Victoria Higgins, Virginia Director of Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), issued the following statement:

“This decision flies in the face of an affordable energy future. It flies in the face of a stable climate future. And it is an insult to the injuries that the Chesterfield community has endured from toxic coal pollution over the last 80 years. More than anything, we are heartbroken for the people who will get sick and spend days and dollars in the hospital thanks to this short-sighted decision, children playing at home with their families this Thanksgiving who will develop asthma and inherit an unstable planet. That is the price they will pay to ensure Big Tech can power its data centers and monopoly utilities can profit from them.”

Dominion’s new plant would operate up to 37% of the time, emitting about 4,500,000,000 lbs of CO2-equivalent per year. That’s the equivalent of adding over 470,000 cars to the road. Calculations show this would directly cause more than 6 million square meters of Arctic sea ice to melt each year.

Communities within a three-mile radius of the proposed plant’s location are largely low income and people of color who have suffered from the legacy pollution connected to Dominion’s coal-fired Chesterfield Power Station during its eight decades of operation, yielding additional opposition from the county’s NAACP branch, Friends of Chesterfield, and other community groups active in the area. 

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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.

Contact:  

Victoria Higgins, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, vhiggins@chesapeakeclimate.org, 201-937-7107
KC Chartrand, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, kc@chesapeakeclimate.org, 240-620-7144

With Huge Rate Increases Looming, Regional Grid Members Lean Toward Comprehensive Ratepayer Protections, But Fall Short

In an all-day discussion and voting session debating 12 different proposals, members of PJM Interconnection put the most support behind the most protective plan for ratepayers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Voting members at Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM), the organization managing the flow of electricity to 65 million people across 13 states and D.C., met yesterday to debate and vote on different options for how to allocate the soaring energy costs associated with data centers. Of the comprehensive proposals, the solution that received the most stakeholder support is the one that was the best for protecting ratepayers. There was one proposal that received more support, but it was a narrow one focused only on Price Responsive Demand. 

The proposal that would fully address the problem posed by 30 gigawatts of data centers seeking to connect to the PJM grid in the coming years was put forward by the Independent Market Monitor. Without any protections, this new data center load could cost the average ratepayer $70 a month. This proposal would not allow data centers to connect to the PJM grid until there is sufficient generation to provide electricity to those facilities. This Bring Your Own Generation (BYOG) approach is broadly supported by stakeholders. Advocates from across the PJM region recently sent a letter to PJM urging support for a Bring Your Own Generation requirement. 

“People should not be forced to choose between energy affordability and reliability, said Quentin Scott, Federal Director of Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “In this instance, the solution that is best for affordability is also best for reliability, and that is why we saw more support for PJM policies that will keep electricity prices low.”

None of the 12 proposals considered by PJM received the necessary support to be declared “passed.” This voting session is meant to inform the final proposal, which will be developed by the PJM Board of Managers in the coming month. 

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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, Washington, DC and beyond.

Advocates Sound Alarm as Public Service Commission Approves Washington Gas’s Costly 13% Increase on Gas Bills

The rate increase comes as many D.C. residents struggle to pay their gas bills ahead of winter.  

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With one in seven D.C. gas users already behind on their bills, the D.C. Public Service Commission (PSC) yesterday voted in favor of Washington Gas’s 13% gas rate hike that will further raise consumer energy costs ahead of the brutal winter season. The rate increase includes a transfer of $12.5 million from Washington Gas’s $12 billion methane gas pipeline replacement program — one condemned by consumer advocates and environmental groups as costly, ineffective, and unsafe — to base rates, locking in costs for customers for decades. Despite over 10 years of work on this project and repeated increases in gas bills to fund ongoing maintenance, D.C.’s aging gas systems remain leaky and increasingly expensive.

Advocates for consumer rights, public safety, and climate action have repeatedly called for PSC to deny rate increases and require Washington Gas to make improvements. They point out that Washington Gas’s ongoing pipeline overhaul, previously called Project Pipes and then rebranded as District Safe, has actually coincided with a surge in hazardous leaks-rising as much as 25% from 2020 to 2024, according to company data. In one incident in 2024, it took the utility over six hours to respond to a gas odor complaint, further raising alarm over public safety. Meanwhile, the pipeline project continues to run over budget while Washington Gas shareholders see profits rise, and D.C. residents are left to foot the bill. The utility corporation has prioritized revenue generation over safety or affordability, turning public need into private gain while families shoulder the costs.    

In response to yesterday’s decision by the D.C. Public Service Commission, Claire Mills, D.C. Campaigns Manager at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, released the following statement: 

“The Public Service Commission had a clear choice: protect D.C residents or side with corporate profits. Yesterday, they stood with Washington Gas as the for-profit utility corporation raised gas bills ahead of the brutal winter season and at a time when many households are already struggling to make ends meet. Many D.C. working families simply cannot afford the double-digit increase in average gas bill to almost $100 every month.

“Washington Gas is singularly focused on one thing: keeping its profits flowing. The utility has worked to undermine D.C.’s energy efficiency standards, which save people money, and continues to pass the cost of its gas pipeline replacement program, which has already generated millions of dollars, onto D.C. residents. Meanwhile, the Public Service Commission, responsible for overseeing the utility corporation, has failed in its oversight. With utility regulators asleep at the wheel, it’s time for a legislative solution.  

“Every extra dollar funnelled into Washington Gas’s profit is a dollar taken from families who need to heat their homes this winter. D.C. residents deserve energy solutions that keep the lights on, not bills that force them to choose between warmth and groceries.” 

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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, Washington, DC and beyond.

Draw the Line: D.C. Advocates Rally Against Washington Gas’s Proposal for $215 Million Methane Gas Pipeline Spending and Rate Hikes

Community members rallied with chalk art and chants outside of D.C. Public Service Commission, urging regulators to reject Washington Gas’s costly Project Pipes proposal

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — To urge the D.C. Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject Washington Gas’s latest attempted cash grab of $215 million from customers for its gas pipeline replacement program, a coalition of climate, housing, and interfaith advocates rallied today outside the D.C. Public Service Commission. As part of the rally, community members created colorful chalk art messages, calling on the PSC to prioritize the needs of D.C. residents over corporate interests and halt Washington Gas’s rate hikes and reckless pipeline expansion.

Watch the recorded full stream on Instagram HERE.

“At a time when D.C. residents are struggling to make ends meet, Washington Gas wants to pour more than $215 million of customer money into tearing up D.C. streets and replacing methane gas pipelines,” said Claire Mills, D.C. Campaigns Manager at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Despite millions spent already, dangerous gas leaks are still rampant across the District. The Public Service Commission now has a choice: it can either side with Washington Gas’s corporate greed or champion everyday D.C. residents by putting an end to reckless, wasteful spending on methane pipelines.”

Washington Gas’s pipeline replacement program, projected to cost ratepayers $12 billion, has failed to eliminate leaks and protect public safety. The utility’s own data shows that gas leak reports have risen as much as 25% from 2020 to 2024, with Washington Gas even taking more than six hours to respond to a gas odor complaint in October 2024. Rally participants called on the Commission to put D.C. families first, rejecting what advocates describe as another corporate cash grab that fuels profit while putting public health and safety at risk.

“Every fraction of a degree of warming that we can avert matters: it is a difference, in orders of magnitude, of countless human and nonhuman lives,” said Hannah, an organizer with Extinction Rebellion DC. With a federal government increasingly intent on sending us over a climate cliff, it is more important than ever to demand action at the local level. The PSC’s decision can make or break whether DC is a city that meets our climate goals. We are in a climate emergency — we simply can’t afford to bail out fossil fuel companies while the rest of us go down with the ship.” 

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Advocates say Washington Gas’s profit-driven business model incentivizes unnecessary pipeline replacement, piling costs and fees onto customers. Meanwhile, residents are burdened with higher energy bills that could soon skyrocket as the cost of methane gas is expected to nearly double in 2026, according to a recent projection by Morgan Stanley. One in seven D.C. gas users is currently behind on their energy bills as Washington Gas seeks another 12% gas rate hike. 

“At a moment when tens of thousands of D.C. residents are behind on their energy bills, the prospect of handing another several hundred million dollars of ratepayers funds to an investor-owned utility to build fossil fuel infrastructure is galling,” said Matt Sehrsweeney, Co-Chair at We Power DC. “D.C. needs utilities that work for and are accountable to the people of D.C. instead of a handful of wealthy investors, and we need a Public Service Commission that actually defends our interests.”

“Gas leaks, under the streets and in our homes,” said Barbara Briggs, Convener at Beyond Gas DC. “There is no question that we are breathing health-harming methane, benzene (which is highly carcinogenic), and other health-harming components of gas every day. We are also breathing in the pollutants created by burning gas, including nitrogen dioxide, which contributes to asthma, COPD, and lung disease, and may affect children’s cognitive development.  Our families’ health is one more compelling reason we should accelerate D.C.’s transition off the dangerous and outdated use of gas combustion in our buildings and move to renewable, non-combustion energy sources, which are safer and far healthier.”

The rally also drew attention to Washington Gas’s deceptive tactics to keep customer bills high and lock D.C. residents into expensive, polluting fossil fuels for decades to come. While the utility attacks D.C.’s net-zero building standards, it simultaneously launched a greenwashing marketing campaign that positions itself as a champion of net-zero energy homes. Advocates urge the PSC to halt reckless pipeline expansions, reject the rate hike, and stand up to corporate greed.

“The truth is, fuel-burning is not consistent with healthy homes for DC residents or for doing our part to preserve a livable climate,” says Joelle Novey with Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA). “We’re delighted to be working in Montgomery County with Washington Gas on a pilot neighborhood geothermal project, and we invite them to follow our faith communities’ lead by shifting rapidly to get D.C. neighborhoods, too, to be fully electrified and powered by heat pumps and clean energy.”

Watch the recorded full stream on Instagram HERE.

 

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Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Olszewski, Delegate Charkoudian, and MEA Director Pinsky Lead the Fight for Offshore Wind in Maryland

Elected officials and labor leaders joined business representatives and environmental advocates calling for fully permitted energy projects to move forward for the sake of all Marylanders.

BALTIMORE, MD – To reaffirm the value of offshore wind for stabilizing energy costs, creating good jobs, and securing Maryland’s energy future, lawmakers and advocates came together today to call for continued clean energy development and local investment. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Johnny Olszewski, Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky, State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, and others spoke to dozens of supporters as part of the Maryland Day of Action for Offshore Wind.

Watch the recorded full stream on Instagram HERE.

“Investing in offshore wind is key to unlocking good-paying jobs, lowering energy costs, and guaranteeing a cleaner future for Maryland,” said Senator Van Hollen. “As the Trump Administration continues to roll back the clock on our wind energy progress to help his Big Oil financiers and friends, I’ll keep fighting to realize Maryland’s wind energy potential and ensure we stay on course toward a stronger, more sustainable, more affordable future for our state.”

“Offshore wind means good-paying jobs, cleaner air, and a stronger future for Maryland,” said Representative Johnny Olszewski. “Right here in Maryland’s Second Congressional District, projects like Sparrows Point Steel will support over 500 new jobs and thousands more across our state, all while lowering energy costs for working families. Investing in offshore wind isn’t just about energy—it’s about strengthening Maryland’s economy and environment for generations to come.”

“For so many of Maryland’s pressing questions, offshore wind energy is the answer. It benefits both the state’s climate and its economy. Offshore wind energy leads to more jobs for blue-collar workers and well-paying, year-round jobs in parts of the state that need them,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “The bottom line is that offshore wind energy projects will help expand energy production for a state and a regional grid that badly needs more reliable production to meet growing demand—and it will do so in a way that doesn’t compound the climate crisis.”

Today’s event, held at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24 office, underscored strong support for clean energy growth despite the Trump administration’s policies that prop up fossil fuels. Before a backdrop of a large digital “Yes to Wind” display, speakers emphasized widespread support for the continued development of offshore wind in Maryland. For instance, recent polling from June 2025 revealed that 7 in 10 Maryland voters supported the construction of offshore wind projects—across political lines.  

“Offshore wind has enabled our Baltimore-based company to open offices in new markets like Rhode Island and New York as we followed the construction of five projects along the East Coast over the last few years,” said Lee Connor, Chairman of John S. Connor, Inc. “Our company has seen firsthand the increased economic activity and job creation because of U.S. offshore wind development, delivering thousands of good-paying jobs and tremendous local investment. Let’s all say, ‘yes to wind’ and to the host of economic and environmental benefits this American industry has already proven it can deliver.”

“1199 SEIU has fought to make life more affordable for working families across the state of Maryland—from fair wages to stable energy bills,” said Ricarra Jones, Political Director of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “Offshore wind is a win for both our economy and our health.  As healthcare workers, we know that clean energy saves lives. Reducing air pollution means fewer asthma attacks, fewer kids in emergency rooms, and healthier communities across Maryland. Offshore wind is the prescription our state needs for a cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable energy future.”

Maryland’s approved offshore wind projects, which secured federal permits in December 2024, are expected to deliver more than $800 million in local investment, including in steel manufacturing, port redevelopment, and direct commercial fishing support. These projects will power approximately 700,000 homes with affordable, reliable electricity and stabilize prices for Marylanders at a time when they are on the rise.

The Maryland Day of Action marked the first in a nationwide series of “Yes to Wind” events taking place across a dozen states this fall. Each event highlights growing momentum for offshore wind as a practical, homegrown energy solution that reduces carbon pollution while revitalizing local economies and stabilizing energy prices. 

                           

In Maryland, a broad coalition including the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, IBEW Local 24, Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, Ironworkers Local 5, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, USW District 8, Shore Progress, BlueGreen Alliance, MAAREC Action, IUPAT District Council 51, Offshore Wind Alliance, and Oceantic Network, united around a shared message: Offshore wind is critical to building a resilient, affordable and American clean energy future for all.

“Offshore wind is an investment in reliable, affordable, homegrown energy for Maryland. Building offshore wind is critical to meet the expected growth in energy use due to data centers,” said State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian. “Moving these projects forward is crucial to help stabilize rising energy bills, diversify our energy supply, and build a more resilient, clean, and abundant energy future for our state.”

“Offshore wind will provide job opportunities for the members of IBEW Local 24,” said Michael McHale, Business Manager, IBEW Local 24. “We will put our skills to work in the supply chain, building manufacturing facilities, onshore helping to build maintenance and marshalling infrastructure, and offshore performing the electrical work on the turbines, cabling, and maritime substations.”

Watch the full-length video of the press conference HERE.

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 Publishers Weekly Names CCAN Executive Director Mike Tidwell’s Book to Top 25 Nonfiction Books of 2025

The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue is the first book to tell the story of global warming from the perspective of one American street.

From mysteriously dying trees to people sick with Lyme disease to neighborhood activists fighting back, this unexpectedly dramatic story has received stellar reviews from The Washington Post and critics nationwide, including — now — Publishers Weekly top 25 pick for nonfiction

TAKOMA PARK, MD – Publishers Weekly magazine has just named The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue to its list of top 25 nonfiction works of 2025.  Calling this first-of-its-kind story of climate change impacts on one American street “a powerful portrait of a community,” the magazine says author Mike Tidwell sheds “light on how warming temperatures affect everything from wildlife to people’s health and their perception of the future.”

If you’re looking for a truly original climate change interview, Tidwell’s story of how extreme weather plays out on his one block over a 12-month period in 2023 is truly mind-blowing. He writes of record floods and spreading Lyme disease and hotter temperatures on his DC-area street, but also of growing solar energy and the Hindu gas station owner who switches entirely from pumping gas to fast-charging electric cars. The book also explores the controversial issue of geoengineering as a possible Plan B to cool the planet as severe climate impacts spread across every square foot of America and the world.

Tidwell is the author of seven nonfiction books. His essays have appeared in many publications, including The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, National Geographic Traveler, and more. He is a former National Endowment for the Arts fellow for creative nonfiction. He is also the founder and director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Visit Tidwell’s website here and St. Martin’s press page here. Contact Mike for print, radio or TV interviews. He is close to studios in Washington, D.C. and available for Zoom conversations. 


https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250362261/thelosttreesofwillowavenue/ 


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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.

Richmond Councilmembers and Advocates Call on Governor Youngkin to Protect FEMA, Protect Virginia

Advocates urge strengthening, not eroding, FEMA disaster relief programs as climate disasters escalate and federal aid hangs in the balance.

RICHMOND, VA –  Richmond city councilmembers and climate organizations held a press conference today to urge Governor Glenn Youngkin to use his seat on the FEMA Review Council to strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), not dismantle it. This effort comes amid alarming signs that FEMA is losing key staff, combined with significant disaster funding cuts, which are severely weakening the agency’s capacity to respond to disasters. The Trump Administration’s plan to shift disaster relief costs to states risks imposing significant financial burdens on Virginia residents and taxpayers.

“Our communities depend on FEMA to be a reliable partner when disaster strikes,” said Richmond City Councilmember Stephanie Lynch. “Strengthening FEMA isn’t about politics — it’s about making sure every Virginian has the support they need to recover, rebuild, and become more resilient in the face of a changing climate.”

“Americans must be able to count on their federal government for aid in times of crisis, and to be partners in preventing their severity,” said Richmond City Councilmember Katherine Jordan. “Emergency management and prevention are bedrock responsibilities of government. I join Virginians from across the Commonwealth asking our Governor to ensure we have the strongest FEMA possible – both in ability to respond to disasters – and through equipping communities with critical dollars to prevent or mitigate events before they happen.”

“When federal support is ripped away, local governments are left holding the bag, and the overwhelming burden almost always falls on the people who can least afford it. But, Governor Younkin can change that,” said Kim Sudderth, Hampton Roads Environmental Justice Advocate. 

Speakers highlighted the growing risks that extreme weather disasters pose to Virginia and how dismantling FEMA would jeopardize critical disaster relief as climate disasters grow in frequency and severity. Following the press conference, advocates delivered a petition signed by hundreds of Virginians demanding action to protect federal disaster programs. 

“The climate crisis isn’t a far-off, distant future; it is our new reality that Virginians are experiencing through unprecedented extreme weather that overwhelms our critical infrastructure,” said Gabby Walton, Federal Campaigns Associate for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Our local disaster response depends on FEMA’s support, and the federal government’s moves to suspend critical FEMA staff and funding is unacceptable. As the FEMA Review Council considers overhauling and possibly dismantling FEMA altogether this hurricane season, I urge Governor Youngkin to use his influence to improve the agency, not dissolve it.” 

“Our elected leaders should not be playing politics when it comes to disaster recovery; they shouldn’t pick winners or losers after a devastating flood, hurricane, wildfire, or other natural disaster,” said Catherine Setaro, Hampton Roads Field Manager at Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “Governor Youngkin needs to use his official capacity on FEMA’s Review Council to strengthen this agency while he has the chance.”

Recent proposals from the Trump administration and members of the FEMA Review Council risk dismantling FEMA and cutting disaster relief funding. Since January, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and 20 supporting Virginia-based organizations have highlighted the life-saving importance of federal disaster aid by submitting an organizational letter to Governor Youngkin. Virginia’s reliance on FEMA for recovery in major storms highlights the potential dangers if federal support is eliminated.

Watch the live stream recording on our Instagram account HERE.

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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, Washington, DC and beyond.

Community Members Push Back Against Dominion Energy’s Proposed Chesterfield Gas Plant at DEQ Hearing

CHESTERFIELD, VA — Community members, local leaders and advocates testified at the final Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) public hearing yesterday to oppose Dominion Energy’s proposed $8 billion gas plant in Chesterfield County. Speakers highlighted the project’s potential to raise electric bills, pollute local air and lock Virginia into decades of reliance on fossil fuels, primarily to power the growing data center industry.

The hearing drew residents, environmental advocates and legislators united in opposition, emphasizing that Virginians are already facing an energy affordability crisis while Dominion seeks to expand fossil fuel infrastructure and give multi-million dollar pay increases to its CEO. 

“This project is about Dominion Energy expanding its profits, not serving the people of Virginia,” said Nicole Martin, president of the Chesterfield County NAACP. “Families across the Commonwealth are struggling to pay their bills. We cannot allow a new gas plant to make the problem worse while polluting our air and harming the health of our communities.”

The No New Gas Plants coalition reiterated its call for Virginia to invest in cleaner, more affordable energy solutions, rather than expensive new fossil fuel infrastructure. Coalition members also stressed that Virginians deserve transparency, accountability and a voice in decisions that affect their health, environment and cost of living.

Members of the public can still submit comments on the DEQ air pollution permit here until 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025.

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Photos and video will be made available for use here licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0, attributable to the No New Gas Plants Coalition. To view a copy of this license, visit: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/. If these licensing terms pose a barrier to your publication, please contact media@nogasplant.org.

The No New Gas Plants Coalition is a statewide alliance of grassroots organizations, community leaders, environmental advocates and policy experts working to stop the expansion of costly and polluting energy infrastructure in Virginia. Formed in response to Dominion Energy’s plans to build up to six new gas-fired power plants, the coalition is united by a vision of an affordable and clean energy future. Together, we advocate for the health and voices of Virginia communities most impacted by pollution and rising energy costs. 

The Coalition includes Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance, Appalachian Voices, immigrant advocacy organization CASA, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Chesterfield County NAACP, Clean Virginia, Friends of Chesterfield, Mothers Out Front, New Virginia Majority, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, Southern Environmental Law Center, Sunrise UVA, Virginia Conservation Network, and Virginia Interfaith Power & Light.

Virginians Celebrate International “Sun Day” With Solar-Powered Home Tours, School Bus Electrification, and Peace-Centered Community Rally

Group shot of RVA Sun Day festival

Local families, advocates, and community leaders showcase solar as the cheapest, most reliable energy source for the Commonwealth  

Richmond, VA — From Richmond to Vienna to Leesburg, Virginians turned out in force this weekend to celebrate the first-ever International “Sun Day,” joining hundreds of communities nationwide in uplifting solar energy as the clean, affordable power of the future. More than 300 celebrations were organized across all 50 states, with nine events in the DC-Maryland-Virginia region sponsored or co-sponsored by Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and a broad coalition of clean energy allies. 

In Richmond, dozens gathered at “Sun Day: A Day for Peace and the Planet,” co-hosted by CCAN, Third Act-RVA, the Richmond Peace Education Center, and the University of Richmond. The family-friendly event featured live music, art, climate education, and a call to accelerate solar energy deployment across Virginia.

Folks gathered at the Vienna, VA Sun Day Celebration of school bus electrificationIn Vienna, community members celebrated the electrification of school buses at Louise Archer Elementary before touring a newly built PHIUS-certified net-zero home. Participants marveled at how energy-efficient features improve comfort, cut bills, and create healthier indoor environments. Throughout the day, large community banners declaring “Celebrate Solar” were displayed across town, uplifting solar as cleaner, cheaper, safer, and unlimited.

“For decades, we’ve called this stuff ‘alternative energy.’ We want to drive home the point that that’s not true anymore. This is the straightforward, common-sense, obvious way to power our future, the cheapest way to drive down electric prices, the easiest way to build a working America,” said Bill McKibben, co-founder of Third Act – the group that is the the driving force behind Sun Day  – as well as a pioneering environmental author, who has been instrumental in bringing global attention to climate change and the potential of renewable energy.

In Leesburg, visitors toured a home powered entirely by solar, where residents showcased how households can thrive on renewable energy without relying on polluting fossil fuels. The event offered a firsthand look at Virginia’s energy future while engaging families in conversations about transitioning toward 100% clean power. 

“Every day, the sun provides more energy than humanity could use in a year. It’s time we center our future around that gift,” said Ting Waymouth, Northern Virginia Organizer, Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN). “These events made clear that Virginians understand the urgency of the clean energy transition, and are ready to lead with solutions that protect families, lower bills, and safeguard our planet.”

These events are part of the DMV region’s participation in International Sun Day, a weekend of actions across the U.S. and the world, organized by a broad coalition of groups, including Third Act, Fossil Free Media, and others, as well as CCAN. More than 300 events are planned in all 50 states, with CCAN sponsoring or co-sponsoring 9 across the DMV region.

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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, Washington, DC, and beyond.