Category: Press Releases

WAMU reveals that Virginia’s top environmental regulator took a golf vacation on Dominion’s dime
RICHMOND—A major DC media outlet published an exposé this afternoon detailing how the money and political influence of Dominion Virginia Power has touched all levels of Virginia’s response to the company’s controversial plans to discharge toxic coal ash wastewater into rivers. In the most alarming example, Virginia’s chief environmental regulator, David Paylor, accepted lavish gifts from Dominion Virginia Power despite being the primary state official entrusted with overseeing Dominion’s compliance with state environmental laws.
The exposé, published this afternoon on Washington’s WAMU, shows that Paylor let Dominion — the state’s largest utility company and biggest polluter — pay his way to the 2013 Masters’ golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, a trip valued at $2,300. Additionally, Dominion paid for Paylor’s $1,200 party tab at a nearby Irish pub.
Paylor was already serving as director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality when he accepted these gifts — which Dominion admits would be illegal under recently updated state ethics laws. He is now the top state official responsible for regulating Dominion’s coal ash disposal plans.
“Dominion’s influence over Virginia’s General Assembly has been apparent for years, but now it appears to extend to the same regulators entrusted to police the company’s pollution,” said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “David Paylor vacationed on Dominion’s dime while he was simultaneously entrusted with protecting the public from Dominion’s pollution. This is a stunning conflict of interest.”
Even before today’s revelations, Paylor had come under increasing fire for lax oversight of Dominion. For months, Paylor misinformed the public about Dominion’s secretive and potentially illegal dumping of nearly 30 million gallons of untreated coal ash wastewater into Quantico Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River, in May 2015. Paylor had repeatedly claimed that “no water was discharged,” a claim that was later proven false by Dominion and DEQ’s own admission. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network has called for a criminal investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency.
In January, DEQ signed off on permits that allow Dominion to release millions of gallons of coal ash wastewater into the Potomac and James Rivers without requiring the use of best available technology to first remove harmful toxins. The permits originally allowed Dominion to discharge toxins like arsenic at levels that far exceed limits set by regulators in neighboring North Carolina. Dominion has since voluntarily agreed to stronger treatment plans following numerous protests and legal challenges. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, and the state of Maryland continue to challenge the Potomac permit in court.
Meanwhile, for decades, Virginia regulators have looked the other way while coal ash pollution has leaked from Dominion’s Possum Point Power Plant along Quantico Creek and the Chesapeake Energy Center along the Elizabeth River. Yet, Paylor’s DEQ is now preparing to let Dominion “cap” those pits in place without any protective lining. This plan would allow toxic leaching to continue into surrounding groundwater for decades, even as utilities in North and South Carolina move coal ash to modern, lined landfills equipped to protect against contamination.
“Virginians deserve regulators who they can trust will hold Dominion accountable to the highest standards under the law, not the lowest,” concluded Tidwell. “The decisions Paylor is making now will have a huge impact on the health of Virginia waterways and citizens for years to come. How can we trust he is putting the health of Virginians above the profits of Dominion?”
The WAMU story further documents Dominion ties to key state legislators and a member of the Water Control Board involved in votes related to the company’s coal ash plans.
Contact:
Drew Gallagher, 804-896-2654, drew@chesapeakeclimate.org
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org

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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the biggest and oldest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting climate change in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. CCAN is building a powerful movement to shift our region away from climate-harming fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions: www.chesapeakeclimate.org.

Dominion coal ash plans show failure of DEQ to enforce health-protective standards; Virginians deserve better

In response to reports of a closed-door media briefing held by Dominion Power today, Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, released the following statement:
“From everything we know, Dominion Power’s plan to go forward with the dumping of toxic coal ash wastewater into the James and Potomac Rivers still fails to adequately protect the health of our rivers and local citizens. Instead of holding Dominion to the highest standards, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, led by David Paylor, issued lax permits that fail to require the use of ‘best available technology’ and allow Dominion to discharge toxins like arsenic at levels that exceed limits set by neighboring North Carolina. Dominion is now clearly trying to save face in response to deep public concern and calls for a federal investigation of its secretive dumping of coal ash wastewater into Quantico Creek in May of 2015.
“Instead of assurances from Dominion, Virginians need regulators setting and enforcing strict standards that safeguard human health. Neither Dominion nor Director Paylor have addressed the real root problem. Dominion wants to simply ‘de-water’ the state’s coal ash ponds and then cap the ponds in place. This allows not only for toxic liquids to be poured into the James, Potomac and other rivers, but leaves the capped pond bottoms with no protective lining, thus allowing toxic leaching to continue into surrounding groundwater for decades. This falls short of the standard being enforced in North Carolina and South Carolina.
“We believe Governor McAuliffe and Attorney General Herring must step in to halt these permits, and to hold Dominion to the highest standards under the law. The real solution is to require Dominion to use the best available technology to treat the hazardous liquid, and then to remove the remaining toxic pond solids to modern, lined landfills that are properly equipped to protect against drinking water contamination. Time and again, Dominion has shown that it will do the easiest, cheapest, quickest thing it can get away with. Virginia’s rivers and people deserve better.”
Contact:
Drew Gallagher, 804-896-2654, drew@chesapeakeclimate.org
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org

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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the biggest and oldest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting climate change in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. CCAN is building a powerful movement to shift our region away from climate-harming fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions: www.chesapeakeclimate.org.

Mayor Bowser betrayed DC citizens while the Public Service Commission has now failed to protect ratepayers and the environment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a decision marred by pay-to-play politics, the DC Public Service Commission (PSC) today paved the way for local utility Pepco to be sold to an ailing, out-of-state company, an outcome that advocates say would tarnish Mayor Muriel Bowser’s reputation forever.
At a hearing this morning, the PSC first voted 2-1 to reject widely contested settlement terms — struck between Mayor Bowser, Chicago-based Exelon and Pepco — as failing to satisfy the public interest. However, despite a principled dissent from Chairman Betty Ann Kane, Commissioners Joanne Doddy Fort and Willie Phillips then voted to approve a modified version of the settlement that includes only marginal changes and fails to address the core problems that led the PSC to unanimously reject the deal in August.
In her dissenting remarks, Chairman Kane stated that the fundamental “conflict of interest” remains, the revised settlement terms could “make the situation worse,” and there is “no alternative that will address the fundamental structural problem.”
Exelon, Pepco, and other settling parties will have 14 days to decide whether or not to accept the modified settlement terms. If they do, the merger will be automatically approved by way of the 2-1 PSC vote.
Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, released the following statement in response:
“This is a disappointing day for the nation’s capital. If these wholly inadequate changes are agreed to, the result will be the same. While Mayor Bowser and Exelon lobbyists celebrate, DC residents will brace for big rate hikes and new roadblocks to clean energy. Chairman Kane deserves praise as the only decision-maker in this whole process who has steadfastly stood up for what’s right.
“Mayor Bowser betrayed DC ratepayers and our environment in a settlement process that reeked of dirty, pay-to-play politics. And for what? For the Mayor’s pet soccer stadium project, made possible by Pepco’s $25 million payment that smells blatantly of corruption? For a slap on the back from the Mayor’s big developer friends at the now-disbanded FreshPAC? For a few shiny, vague promises from Exelon that pale in comparison to coming rake hikes?
“In the wake of this bankrupt process, the majority of PSC commissioners have failed in their duty to protect the public. As Chairman Kane emphasized, the revised deal is fundamentally no different from the deal the commission unanimously rejected last summer when it cited an inherent ‘conflict of interest.’
“If this merger goes forward, it will be a clear win for crony politics. Exelon wants this deal in order to milk DC ratepayers for maximum profits, and prop up its own troubled bottom line. After a barrage of lobbying, ads, and back-room dealing, Mayor Bowser, and now the PSC, have agreed to turn DC ratepayers over to Exelon without securing any substantive public benefit in return. In contrast, thousands of DC residents, a majority of DC’s neighborhood leaders, and faith, small business, social justice, and environmental leaders recognized the indisputable facts, and fought this deal to the very end. Today’s ruling only sharpens the need for a citywide grassroots push for structural change in our energy policy and our politics.”
Contact:
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org
Mike Tidwell, 240-460-5838, mtidwell@chesapeakeclimate.org

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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the biggest and oldest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting climate change in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. CCAN is building a powerful movement to shift our region away from climate-harming fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions: www.chesapeakeclimate.org.

SUMMARY OF SCANDAL-PLAGUED EVENTS LEADING UP TO EXELON-PEPCO MERGER RULING

April of 2015: FreshPAC launched. Close allies of the Mayor launch a highly controversial political action committee called FreshPAC. A quirk in DC campaign laws allows unlimited contributions to the super PAC from companies and businesses, including those with business before the Mayor and City Council. The PAC is highly criticized by the media, voters, and members of the City Council as a fund that appears open to abuse and pay-to-play politics.
August 25, 2015: Exelon-Pepco merger rejected. The DC Public Service Commission unanimously rejects the proposed Pepco-Exelon merger as a fundamental “conflict of interest.”
September 18, 2015: Pepco pays Mayor’s office $25 million in “Soccergate” deal. Pepco gives the Office of the Mayor $25 million in cash for vague naming rights of property adjacent to the proposed new soccer stadium at Buzzard Point. The structure of the deal is highly unusual. Researchers have not been able to find another deal like it in the country. Not only is all the money paid up front, at a very high price (proportionally more than the Verizon Center naming rights deal), but the brevity and minimized complexity of the two-page legal agreement is virtually unprecedented.
September 19, 2015: Exelon presents merger “settlement” financial terms the day after “Soccergate” payment. Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show that, the very next day after the soccer deal, Exelon submits new financial information to the Mayor’s office for settlement purposes.
November 10, 2015: FreshPAC is disbanded after widespread criticism. Critics charged it represented a pay-to-play PAC that tarnished DC politics and the Mayor’s public integrity. Exelon continues to refuse to say whether it was asked to donate to FreshPAC while working with the Mayor’s office on a settlement that would give the company its prized $6.8 billion merger.
December 16, 2015: WAMU reveals that former FreshPAC chair registered to lobby for Exelon on the merger. News breaks that Chico Horton, the director of FreshPAC, registered to lobby for Exelon on the merger on September 30, 2015 – the same time that Exelon was negotiating a settlement with the mayor and while FreshPAC was still active and soliciting huge donations from businesses.
January 2016: Chico Horton, the Exelon lobbyist, says he did no “lobbying.” The former head of Bowser’s FreshPAC declares that he did no lobbying – zero – for Exelon during the intense autumn negotiations between Exelon and the Mayor’s office, despite registering as an Exelon lobbyist. Horton said he simply gave the company “strategic advice” that did not officially constitute lobbying.
February 2016: Documents indicate Mayor’s office misled the public on merger negotiations. Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act indicate that the Mayor’s office repeatedly misled the public as to who in her administration actually coordinated and led the merger settlement negotiations between the city and Exelon. The Mayor claimed and still claims that City Administrator Rashad Young and Tommy Wells, head of the Department of the Environment and Energy, led the negotiations. But FOIA documents show that they were informed of key settlement terms after the deal had been negotiated by others close to the Mayor. Who actually led those talks, and what connection to Exelon or Pepco the city negotiators might have had, is still not known. But it was not Wells or Young, as was claimed. Why the discrepancy?
February 26, 2016: PSC rejects the original settlement, but then gives approval to marginally revised terms. Little substantive changes were required on top of the Mayor’s wholly inadequate settlement. Opponents assert the merger is still a fundamental “conflict of interest” and the process was clearly influenced by big-money “pay-to-play” politics.

CCAN Applauds MD Senators for Resounding, Bipartisan Vote to Require Deeper Cuts in Greenhouse Gas Pollution

ANNAPOLIS—Today the Maryland Senate voted overwhelmingly – by a 38-8 bipartisan margin – to approve one of the nation’s strongest state requirements for reducing climate pollution. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2016 (SB 323/HB 610) requires Maryland to slash emissions economy-wide by 40 percent by 2030, in line with what scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of climate change.
The bill, which renews and extends a landmark law first passed in 2009, now heads to the Maryland House of Delegates for final approval. The new, forty-percent emission reduction goal was unanimously recommended by Maryland’s bipartisan Commission on Climate Change last fall – including union leaders, business and environmental advocates, and six Republican cabinet secretaries from the Hogan administration.
Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and a member of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, had the following statement in response:
“This vote sends a resounding message that climate action is a bipartisan, economic and health imperative in the state of Maryland. Maryland is acting in line with the Pope, with the world’s leaders in Paris, and with our proven best interests. While solar and wind power take off, so are the devastating impacts of climate disruption, driven by our reliance on dirty energy.
“By being a national leader in cutting carbon pollution, Maryland can lead the nation in capturing the benefits of clean energy. Our current carbon-cutting programs are on track to create and sustain more than 26,000 new jobs, while saving lives and reducing asthma attacks thanks to cleaner air. We fully expect the House of Delegates to follow the Senate’s bipartisan lead, and send this win-win bill to Governor Hogan for his signature.
“Next up in 2016 will be boosting our renewable energy standard, which is our state’s top policy tool for reducing carbon emissions. The Clean Energy Jobs Act (SB 921/HB 1106) is another win-win-win for our climate, health and economy in Maryland.”

Contact:
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org

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Groups in Two States Challenge WB XPress

On behalf of conservation groups in Virginia and West Virginia, Appalachian Mountain Advocates today filed a formal protest and motion to intervene in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s permitting process for the WB XPress, an $850 million natural gas infrastructure proposal from Columbia Gas Transmission.
The project consists of two new compressor stations, 26 miles of pipeline replacement, and 2.9 miles of new pipeline in Virginia and West Virginia. Construction would impact the Monongahela National Forest, as well as privately owned forest and agricultural lands.
“The WB XPress would fragment prime forest habitat, endanger family farms and homes, and amplify the threats to drinking water and air quality in communities plagued by fracking operations,” explained Ben Luckett, Staff Attorney with Appalachian Mountain Advocates. The WB XPress is intended to boost Columbia’s capacity to pipe fracked natural gas from West Virginia’s Marcellus region. The fracked gas would be sold in markets farther south and perhaps abroad.
“We’re also highly concerned that this project will increase the pressure to build the Mountaineer XPress, which would have even more destructive impacts throughout our region,” explained Luckett. The Mountaineer XPress, proposed by a consortium owned in part by Columbia Gas, involves constructing three new compressor stations and approximately 165 miles of new pipeline in West Virginia.
This fall, these same groups filed similar challenges to the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Mountain Valley Pipeline. These groups hope to shed light on the rash of gas projects currently pending FERC review. “Appalachian communities have been hard-hit by the fracking boom, and now face the threat of a huge build-out of natural gas infrastructure,” explained Kate Rooth with Appalachian Voices. Collectively, the projects involve thousands of miles of pipeline construction and upgrades costing tens of billions of dollars to move fracked gas out of West Virginia.
The massive network of new gas infrastructure proposed for the region has prompted many to call on FERC to perform a comprehensive analysis of the entire planned pipeline scheme. “FERC should perform one comprehensive review of these massive fossil fuel projects so we can see the entirety of the environmental and climate impacts of this proposal — not a fragmented one that fails to recognize the devastating impacts these pipelines would have,” said Kirk Bowers, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club.
“Taken together, these pipeline projects will lock the region into decades of reliance on a fossil fuel that is just as bad as coal for our climate,” said Anne Havemann, general counsel for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
A new report by the Sierra Club found that just two of the pipeline proposals would trigger nearly twice as much total climate-disrupting pollution as all the existing stationary sources in Virginia combined. Climate-disrupting emissions from the WB XPress project will only add to the problem.
“Every dollar invested in this dirty and dangerous fossil fuel is better spent on clean energy and energy efficiency,” said Havemann. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network has found that for the same cost as building the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, for example, a utility could instead install solar panels to power over 400,000 homes.
Columbia Gas Transmission filed its application with FERC earlier this year. FERC is tasked with determining whether the project will serve the “public convenience and necessity” and coordinating an environmental review. Columbia has asked FERC for a certificate decision by Dec. 1, 2016.
Appalachian Mountain Advocates has intervened on behalf the following groups: Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the West Virginia and Virginia chapters of the Sierra Club.
View the formal protest and motion to intervene at: http://appvoices.org/images/uploads/2016/02/Motion-to-Intervene-and-Protest-WB-XPress.pdf
Contact:
Anne Havemann, 240-396-1984, anne@chesapeakeclimate.org

Baltimore, Md.—Last night, the Baltimore City Council took its first step toward addressing the dangers of potentially explosive crude oil trains running through the city. Council President Jack Young introduced a bill that would require the first-ever city study of the health and safety risks posed by transporting crude oil by rail through Baltimore. Every member of the city council is a cosponsor of the ordinance (Bill 16-0621).
The bill would require the City Health Department to study the public health and safety risks oil trains pose to communities along rail lines. It also requires public outreach to inform residents of the study findings and directs city agencies to incorporate those findings into their incident response plans.
“Having a plan in place is instrumental to effectively tackling any situation that may unfold in the transportation of crude oil by rail,” said City Council President Jack Young. “The City of Baltimore is pleased to partner with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network to ensure the safety and health of our residents.”
Over 165,000 Baltimore residents live within a mile radius of train tracks known to transport highly volatile and explosive crude oil, putting them in the potential impact zone of a derailment and disaster. Recently, a Maryland judge ruled against rail companies CSX and Norfolk Southern, which were trying to block the state from releasing oil train routes to the public.
Released documents show that crude oil trains run along 26th street in Charles Village, through the Howard Street Tunnel, next to Camden Yards and Ravens Stadium, and over Gwynn’s Falls. Trains then travel through Morrell Park, Mt. Winans, Westport and Brooklyn on their way to a rail-to-barge terminal in the Fairfield Peninsula next to Curtis Bay, where oil is then shipped out of the harbor to East Coast refineries.
“Trains carrying North Dakota crude oil, known to be highly explosive and volatile, put neighborhoods like Westport in a vulnerable and dangerous situation,” said Keisha Allen, president of the Westport Community Association, which represents an area directly adjacent to routes used by crude oil trains. “As crude-by-rail traffic has increased, so have accidents, posing significant risks to the environment, homes, and our lives.”
“Baltimore communities deserve to know what’s at risk when oil trains roll through their neighborhoods,” said Jon Kenney, Healthy Communities Organizer with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Passing this bill is the first step to raising awareness and taking action to protect Baltimore communities. Ultimately, much more is needed at all levels, city, state, and federal, to prevent a potential human and environmental disaster.”
Five explosive oil train derailments have occurred in the U.S. and Canada over the past year. The worst North American oil train disaster occurred in July of 2013, when a train carrying explosive Bakken crude oil from North Dakota derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, causing the deaths of 47 people. The closest oil train derailments to our area occurred in Mount Carbon, WV in February of 2015; and Lynchburg, Virginia in April of 2014. Because crude oil is shipped through and out of Baltimore, a similar disaster could happen here, or anywhere trains travel through Maryland to the city.
To highlight the risks oil trains pose to Baltimore residents, and discuss ways to take action, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network is holding a town hall meeting on Thursday, February 11th at 7pm in Charles Village. The event will feature a mom who lived through the Lac-Mégantic tragedy, City Council representatives, and experts on the issue. Attendees will also learn how they can get involved in city and statewide efforts to address the dangers of oil trains. The event will take place at the 2640 Space at St. John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218.
RESOURCES:

• View information about the ordinance on the City Council website: https://baltimore.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2557511&GUID=3360B46C-5F17-48A0-B7E9-A302B8A72549&Options=ID%7cText%7c&Search=16-0621&FullText=1
• View a PDF of the ordinance at: http://chesapeakeclimate.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Baltimore-Ordinance-Oil-Trains.pdf
• See the ForestEthics Oil Train Blast Zone map to find which Baltimore areas are in the one-mile impact zone: http://explosive-crude-by-rail.org/

Contact:
Jon Kenney, 240-396-1985, jon@chesapeakeclimate.org
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org

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Dominion’s Approach to Federal Clean Power Plan Would Harm Virginia’s Future

RICHMOND – A wide array of Virginia civic, health, faith, and environmental leaders today released a letter asking Governor Terry McAuliffe to reject all efforts by Dominion Virginia Power to push for implementation of historic federal clean power rules in a way that would increase carbon pollution in the Commonwealth.
Leaders representing 50 organizations reminded McAuliffe that only he, as governor, is authorized to make the final decision on how to implement the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Clean Power Plan” in Virginia. It is therefore his explicit responsibility to reduce carbon emissions while strengthening Virginia’s economy and helping improve public health. Anything less will support more pollution, which is “fundamentally contrary” to existing U.S. policy and the interests of Virginia residents, the groups write.
“I cannot remember such a diverse range of groups weighing in on a pollution issue in Virginia before,” said Tram Nguyen, co-executive director of the group New Virginia Majority. “This letter calls for action on what we hope will be the governor’s greatest legacy. The governor can adopt a plan that will strengthen our economy while protecting people’s health now and for generations to come.”
The letter states that Virginia should reduce its total carbon pollution from power plants at least 30% by the year 2030, by applying the same standards to both existing and new power plants, and increasing our use of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
But Virginia utilities, led by Dominion CEO Tom Farrell, want a plan that would apply the federal rule only to old, existing power plants – not new fossil fuel power plants. This would allow Dominion to increase carbon pollution for decades more.
“This will be the governor’s most significant environmental decision,” said Claire Wyatt with the Virginia Student Power Network. “Virginia needs to do its part to cut carbon pollution which is fueling climate change, and threatening our health and infrastructure.”
“Across the Commonwealth, we understand that dirty energy is harming our neighbors, close to home and around the world, and that we have a moral responsibility to do our part to cut carbon pollution,” said Rev. Dr. Faith B. Harris of Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, through which hundreds of Virginia’s faith communities are speaking out in support of the Clean Power Plan. “We’re already hard at work shifting to cleaner energy in our congregations, and we call on Governor McAuliffe to follow our lead.”
The Clean Power Plan, released by the EPA last August under the Clean Air Act, aims to reduce carbon pollution from power plants 30% by 2030.
If implemented with energy efficiency and renewable energy, the Clean Power Plan will yield many benefits for Virginians, including reducing the rates of childhood asthma and supporting efforts to reduce sea-level rise and related flooding in our coastal communities.
Groups signing the letter include: the Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hip Hop Caucus, Virginia Council of Churches, the Healthy Food Coalition, Black Action Now, The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, Secure Futures, Old Dominion Energy Services, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Virginia Student Power Network, Virginia Organizing, We Act for Environmental Justice, Wetlands Watch, Wild Virginia, and more.
The letter to Governor McAuliffe concludes by saying, “Never in history has a Virginia governor had greater authority, greater responsibility and a greater opportunity to combat harmful carbon pollution.”
View the full text of the letter to Gov. McAuliffe at: http://chesapeakeclimate.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/CleanPowerPlan_GovernorLetter_1.18.16.pdf
Contact:
Kate Addleson, kate.addleson@sierraclub.org, 703-963-5800
Kelly Trout, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org, 240-396-2022

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Bipartisan state bill would create Virginia’s first dedicated funding stream for adaptation—a key missing piece in the race to combat flooding
NORFOLK—Dawone Robinson, Virginia Policy Director at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, had the following statement in response to the federal announcement that Virginia will receive a $120.5 million grant for urgently needed sea-level rise adaptation projects in the Hampton Roads region:
“The federal government has come through with a critically needed down payment toward adaptation solutions in Hampton Roads. But much more is needed to help localities across Virginia deal with the mounting costs of flooding driven by sea level rise and climate disruption.
“So far, local governments have largely shouldered these costs alone, and they urgently need help. To put the federal award in context, Norfolk alone needs at least $1 billion to fully prepare for rising seas, which is equal to the city’s entire annual government operating budget. Today’s award does not cover Virginia Beach, the state’s largest city and one of the most vulnerable to storm surges. We need shared solutions at all levels of government, and a key missing piece is a dedicated state revenue stream to share the burden of adaptation costs with localities.
“Our state lawmakers must step up now by passing the Virginia Coastal Protection Act. This bipartisan bill will generate Virginia’s first dedicated source of funds to help localities statewide fight sea level rise and flooding. Virginia will receive more than $250 million per year in new revenue under a regional, market-based system that reduces carbon emissions, the key driver of rising seas. The legislation put forward by Senator McEachin (D-Henrico) and Delegate Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach) will dedicate a full half of those funds toward fighting sea level rise and flooding. The federal government has acted, and now it’s the General Assembly’s turn.”
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: On Monday, January 25th, hundreds of Virginians—including a bus full of 50 Hampton Roads residents—will converge on Richmond to urge state lawmakers to pass the Virginia Coastal Protection Act, as part of the annual Conservation Lobby Day in Richmond. During an action outside the General Assembly building, activists will highlight the irreversible damage that could come from inaction on climate change. Coastal residents will wear yellow rain boots to signify the immediate threat of flooding in their home cities.
Journalists can cover Monday’s action starting at 11 a.m. near the equestrian statue beside the Capitol building and ending with a photo op and remarks at the Bell Tower from 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
A fact sheet on the Virginia Coastal Protection Act (SB 571/HB 351), and how it would fund flooding solutions, is available at: http://chesapeakeclimate.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2016-CCAN-VA-Coastal-Protection-Act-Factsheet.pdf
Contact:
Dawone Robinson, 804-767-0372, dawone@chesapeakeclimate.org
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@cheapeakeclimate.org

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Consumer advocates join Sen. McEachin (D) and Del. Villanueva (R) in push to help low-income families and flood-prone communities

RICHMOND—Democratic Senator Donald McEachin and Republican Delegate Ron Villanueva joined consumer advocates at the Capitol in Richmond today to outline how their landmark bipartisan bill will help lower utility bills for Virginia families while reducing the carbon pollution causing climate change.
The bill—called the Virginia Alternative Energy and Coastal Protection Act (SB 571/HB 351)—would invest upwards of $75 million per year into energy efficiency programs targeting low- and moderate-income Virginians. This would create the state’s the largest dedicated source of funds to help consumers reduce electricity demand. The funds would come from adding Virginia to a regional, market-based system that caps and reduces carbon emissions, such as the nine-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
“Virginians pay the 10th-highest average home electric bills in the nation, largely due to lagging state policies to encourage efficiency,” said Senator Donald McEachin (D-Henrico), chief patron of SB 571. “This bill does the most to help our families save money while helping to protect our climate.”
Experts estimate that Virginia would receive more than $250 million per year in new state revenue as power plants pay a fee for their emissions. The McEachin-Villanueva bill would direct half of those funds toward flood-protection measures—creating the state’s first dedicated revenue stream for adaptation projects—while investing nearly one-third into energy efficiency programs for renters and homeowners.
“We have a common-sense, bipartisan approach that brings real resources to huge problems facing our state,” said Delegate Ron Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach and Chesapeake), chief patron of HB 351. “That’s why the Virginia Municipal League, and city councils representing more than one million people across the state are working to pass this bill.”
Low-income housing and consumer advocates joined today’s press conference to underline their support.
“Lawmakers in Virginia can help families save money by prioritizing solutions that save energy,” said Zack Miller, Director of Policy at the Virginia Housing Alliance. “This bill will help low- and moderate-income renters and homeowners alike save more of their hard-earned income and live in more comfortable and affordable housing.”
A recent study by researchers at Virginia Tech found that proper energy efficiency improvements would save the average apartment renter $54 per month in heating and cooling costs, or nearly $650 annually. Meanwhile, the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) ranks Virginia in the bottom half of states nationally in policies designed to encourage efficiency.
“When many low-income Virginians spend as much as a quarter of their annual household budget just to heat and cool their homes, it’s high time for action,” added Susan Hill, Executive Director of the Richmond Region Energy Alliance.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has a track record of saving consumers money from Maine to Maryland. A recent report by the Analysis Group found that the RGGI program has helped consumers in participating states save a total of $460 million on their utility bills in the last three years alone. Citizens in the RGGI region pay lower average monthly electric bills and use much less energy per household compared to Virginians.
“Virginia should be at the top of the pack, not the bottom, when it comes to helping families save energy,” said K.C. Bleile, Executive Director of EarthCraft Virginia, a statewide non-profit that runs one of the largest regional green building programs in the country. “We see huge environmental and economic benefits from energy efficient housing, and we need state policy to support the rising demand for healthy, efficient homes.”
The bipartisan Virginia Coastal Protection Act is the most comprehensive climate action plan ever introduced in the Virginia General Assembly. It would position Virginia to meet the federal Clean Power Plan while generating hundreds of millions of dollars to invest in statewide solutions. In addition to flood-protection and energy efficiency measures, the bill would fund economic development in the coal regions of Southwest Virginia and solar projects statewide.
A broad and diverse coalition—including the Virginia Municipal League, the city governments of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, and Hampton, and environmental, social justice, faith, and consumer advocates—are pushing for its passage.
“City councils, consumer advocates, and citizens hammered by rising seas all agree: now is the time for action,” said Dawone Robinson, Virginia Policy Director at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Virginia must do more to address climate change, and our legislators have a historic, bipartisan opportunity to act right now.”
RESOURCES:

• Bill text of SB 571/HB 351
• Union of Concerned Scientists analysis of the carbon revenue benefits of the McEachin-Villanueva bill
• Analysis Group report on the economic and consumer benefits of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
• Fact sheet on the Virginia Coastal Protection Act

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Tiffany Hartung, Maryland Climate Coalition, o:(443) 759-3402, c: (248) 933-2451, hartungt@nwf.org
Kelly Trout, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, o:(240)396-2022, c: (717) 439-0346, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org

Top MD Lawmakers Push for Clean Energy Expansion and Record-Large Jobs Bill on First Day of General Assembly

2016 legislation would boost wind and solar while building a diverse workforce, fulfilling President Obama’s State of the Union call to “invest in the future”

ANNAPOLIS—On the first day of the 2016 Maryland General Assembly session, state legislators joined clean energy advocates on Lawyers’ Mall to push for legislation that would significantly boost Maryland’s use of renewable energy, while creating the largest clean energy jobs training program in state history.

The Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2016 will ensure Maryland gets 25 percent of its electricity from clean sources like wind and solar by 2020, up from the current goal of 20 percent by 2022. It includes a $40 million plan to train and prepare more Marylanders for careers in clean energy and to bolster minority- and women-owned businesses within the clean energy economy.

Influential lawmakers—including the chairs of key House and Senate committees—joined today’s press conference with solar industry and environmental leaders, and dozens of climate activists. Large blown-up photos depicted the benefits of the bill, from cleaner air and healthier children to job training in underserved communities to reduced emissions of climate-disrupting pollution.

“We’ll grow Maryland’s clean energy economy in a way that increases the diversity of workers and business owners,” said Senator Catherine Pugh, Senate Majority Leader. “As we create more than 1,000 new solar jobs per year, we’ll also give more Marylanders pathways to good-paying careers.”

“2016 is the year to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act and invest in Maryland’s future by bringing more solar, more wind, and more jobs to our communities,” said Senator Brian Feldman, the lead Senate sponsor of the bill.

“This bill will ensure fast-growing industries create more jobs right here in Maryland,” said Delegate Bill Frick, the lead House sponsor of the bill.

“Expanding our state’s clean energy use and growing our state economy go hand in hand,” added Delegate Dereck Davis, chair of the House Economic Matters Committee. “We’re talking about thousands of new Maryland solar jobs that pay an average of $23 per hour, and new industries that could stimulate more Maryland manufacturing and construction.”

“I look forward to passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act out of my committee so we can keep Maryland at the forefront of clean energy,” said Senator Mac Middleton, chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

“This is a win-win-win for our economy, our environment, and our health in Maryland,” said Senator Rich Madaleno, vice-chair of the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee. “The climate benefits alone will be equal to taking 563,000 cars off the road each year. Cleaner air will mean fewer cases of asthma, healthier families, and reduced health care costs for the state.”

Expanding Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to 25 percent will create incentives for roughly 1,300 new megawatts of clean energy. Plummeting solar and wind prices and abundant, untapped renewable assets position the state to easily achieve this higher goal at little to no cost to ratepayers, according to preliminary results of a study commissioned by industry leaders.