Energy Efficiency Trumps Coal in Va.

A new report shows that investing in energy efficiency instead of building the Wise County coal plant to meet the same electricity demand would yield hundreds of millions of dollars more annually for the state and create at least 2,600 more jobs than the controversial 585-megawatt coal-fired power plant. The benefits would be even greater if, as anticipated, the federal government enacts controls on global warming emissions. Continue reading

Va. Commission Issues Final Report on Climate Change

After a year of public forums, expert testimony, and committee meetings, the Virginia Commission on Climate Change finalized its “Climate Change Action Plan” today. Virginia’s environmental community is encouraged that the Commission went beyond the initial goals it was charged with, calling for the state to cut global warming pollution by 25% over the next 12 years and more than 80% by 2050. However, the Commission missed the mark on a few policies that are key to hitting those reductions. Continue reading

Governor

Press Release: August 27, 2008

Contact

Chesapeake Climate Action Network: Steve Calos (804) 714-8300
Sierra Club, Virginia Chapter: Glen Besa (804) 225-9113
Appalachian Voices: Tom Cormons (434) 293-6373
Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards: Kathy Selvage (276) 219-2721
Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light: Allison Fisher (202) 885-8684
Environment Virginia: J.R. Tolbert (434) 979-9825

Governor’s Climate Commission Calls Virginia “Particularly Vulnerable,” to Global Warming
Groups Unveil Recommendations to Climate Commission Focused on Pollution Reductions and Money-Saving Energy Efficiency Measures

RICHMOND, August 27-Governor Kaine’s Commission on Climate Change released its draft report this week saying Virginia is “at particular risk” from global warming. The Commission found that the Hampton Roads region is second only to the New Orleans region in its vulnerability to sea level rise.

Commission members must now determine how to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental groups unveiled their recommendations to the Commission at a press conference today highlighting the opportunities created by an increased investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Groups also stressed that the Commission’s current pollution reduction goal falls short of what scientists say is necessary.

 “Given the findings of the Governor’s own Climate Commission, global warming poses an enormous threat to Virginia,” said Mike Tidwell, Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Scientists have been sounding the alarm for years and it’s heartening to see Virginia stepping up to the challenge. I urge the Commission and Governor to act boldly to reduce global warming pollution in the Commonwealth.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made up of 2,000 climate scientists from around the world, say we can avoid the worst effects of global warming by reducing global warming pollution 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Governor Kaine’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent below projected 2025 levels by that year falls short of what scientists say is necessary.

“The Climate Commission is tasked with meeting a goal that falls way short of what is necessary to avoid the worst impacts from global warming,” said Glen Besa of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club. “The Commission needs establish science-based targets for emission reductions and not accept targets that may be merely politically acceptable.”

Students joined Appalachian Voices, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Environment Virginia, Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, Sierra Club, and Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards to present their recommendations to the Commission at a public hearing. In addition to calling for an increased pollution reduction goal of 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, groups called for more investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“Virginia has an enormous opportunity to secure a clean energy future that will invigorate the economy and curb emissions of harmful greenhouse gases,” said Tom Cormons, Virginia Campaign Coordinator for Appalachian Voices. “Moving decisively to invest in efficiency and renewable energy will ensure the continued prosperity of the Commonwealth.”

The groups recommended the Commission establish a Public Benefits Fund to provide financial incentives for conservation and energy efficiency. They also proposed requiring electricity providers to obtain a 20 percent of their power from renewable energy resources by 2020, which will spur investment in renewable energy and create new jobs in the Commonwealth.

They also called for a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants, including the one planned in Wise County.

“Building a new coal-burning plant that spews out 5.4 million tons of carbon dioxide each year puts Virginia on exactly the wrong path at a time when the state is focused on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions,” said CCAN’s Tidwell. “This one coal plant will spew out as much pollution as adding nearly one million new cars to the road, and completely negates much of the conservation work already in place in Virginia. It just doesn’t make sense.”

 

“As a young person growing up with the realities of climate change, I recognize that global warming is the single greatest threat to my generation, said Carly Vendegna, a student at University of Richmond. “Without bold and immediate action, our impact on the earth’s climate will change life as we know it. I came out today to urge the Commission to take that bold, immediate action.”

Recommendations on how to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth will be made in the Commission’s final report. In the meantime, the four workgroups that make up the Commission will focus on how Virginia can adapt to climate change and the actions needed to be taken to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goal. The final report is due December 15, 2008.

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