For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018

Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Northam Administration announced it had reached an agreement requiring inclusion of the “Historic Pond” at Chesapeake Energy Center in any future regulatory solutions to Virginia’s toxic coal ash problem.

For years, this site has been polluting the adjacent Elizabeth River with arsenic and other known pollutants. It is also the coal ash site in Virginia most susceptible to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, making proper cleanup a necessity to protect public health and safety.

Dominion Energy’s legacy of coal ash pollution is large and widespread in Virginia – we’ve seen a documented history of contamination at each site where they store this material – but, unfortunately, our electric utility monopoly has not yet floated a safe option to clean up their mess.

In response to today’s news, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“Virginia’s coal ash problem is one of the biggest environmental threats we face, and today’s action from Governor Northam sends a clear signal that this administration takes this issue seriously and wants to see a long-term solution that protects our water and public health. With a moratorium expiring in July that prevents Dominion from doing the bare minimum to clean up these sites, now is the time for action. We look forward to working with the legislature and this administration to secure a final solution that gets this toxic waste away from our riverbanks and protects clean water and adjacent communities in the long-term.”

About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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Certification issued by state regulators ignores clear evidence
that pipeline construction imperils clean water, Virginia communities

 

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 

Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Department of Environmental Quality issued final permits needed for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to move from the tree-clearing phase to full-bore construction of its dangerous, unnecessary 42-inch diameter natural gas pipeline, which will impact more than 300 miles of Virginia mountainside, heartland and hundreds of waterways.

The certification comes even as evidence mounts in Southwest Virginia that state regulations did little to keep communities safe from the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which has clogged some of our state’s cleanest waters with mud and sediment as crews trenched across steep, rugged, flashflood-prone terrain.

In response to today’s news, Lee Francis, deputy director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“Even as their on-the-ground safeguards for pipeline construction have failed Southwest Virginia, today state regulators saw it fit to allow an even larger, more complicated and environmentally destructive pipeline project to move forward, despite clear evidence that these pipelines can’t be built safely.

By allowing this project to advance, Virginia is putting its citizens, their clean water, and public health in harm’s way. We simply don’t need hundreds of miles of costly and environmentally destructive gas infrastructure to keep the lights on in Virginia, but sadly, this approval is a step toward marrying Virginia to a future of higher energy costs and volatile fossil fuels for years to come while Dominion Energy profits handsomely at our expense.”

About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018

Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

SAN FRANCISO – Today, at the Global Climate Action Summit, a delegation from Virginia announced new, ambitious plans from the Northam administration to act on climate change by further reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions in Virginia and to do its part to address the growing acidification of our oceans.

The plans outline Virginia’s intention to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative, with goals to significantly decrease our state’s emissions from the transportation sector – our largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the Administration announced it will be taking the first steps toward regulating methane – one of the most potent contributors to global warming – from both natural gas infrastructure and landfills.

Virginia also plans to join the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification and to develop the state’s first ocean acidification action plan as a way to help safeguard our aquatic resources and the industries they support.

“Today’s announcement further demonstrates that even as the federal level continues to abandon efforts to address the climate crisis, Virginia remains committed to climate action and advancing a clean energy economy,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “By addressing both our largest and most dangerous contributors to global warming and a growing threat to clean water, Northam is following through on a promise he made to Virginia voters to act on climate change and protect our public health and safety.”

The Global Climate Action Summit, which runs until Friday, Sept. 14, was organized as an effort to celebrate the achievements of states, regions, cities, companies, investors and citizens with respect to climate action and to bring leaders and people together from around the world to “Take Ambition to the Next Level.” Virginia’s commitments come alongside deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries intended to put the globe on track to prevent dangerous climate change and realize the historic Paris Agreement.

About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018

Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Trump Administration announced it’s moving forward with a rule to formally replace the Clean Power Plan with a much weaker rule that clearly threatens public health and moves us in the wrong direction when it comes to acting on climate change.

The rule, signed by Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler this morning, allows states to set their own, drastically lower greenhouse gas emission targets and shields high-polluting, coal-fired power plants from further regulation at the state level. The rollback comes as coal continues to decline as a domestic energy source amid the rapid rise of affordable and clean renewable energy.

In response to today’s news, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“In yet another in a series of unrelenting actions putting polluters above public health, the Trump Administration is moving to reverse the biggest step forward America has ever taken on climate action. This reckless rollback is the opposite of “Making America Great Again” – it endangers the American public and will have devastating consequences to our economy, our health, and our climate.

“Fortunately, Virginia is leading the way with state-led action to curb harmful power plant emissions and significantly expand the commonwealth’s fleet of wind and solar. In the wake of this latest rollback, it’s more important now than ever for the Northam Administration to finalize a strong rule putting us on a clear trajectory to cleaner air, safer shores, and a healthier commonwealth.”

About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

RICHMOND – Recently, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters commissioned an online poll to determine where Virginians stand on one of the most important appointments when it comes to clean energy expansion in the commonwealth.

The poll, completed within the past three weeks, found that of the registered Virginia voters polled (763 of 1,000 respondents), fewer than 9 percent responded they could support naming an oil and gas lobbyist to the State Corporation Commission and fewer than 10 percent would support appointing a health insurance lobbyist.

“One thing is now clear: citizens don’t want a fox guarding the henhouse. They want independent leadership and oversight on the panel responsible for either setting Virginia on the path to a cleaner energy future, or maintaining our state’s reliance on dirty fossil fuels,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “This decision is currently in the hands of lawmakers, and we hope they choose wisely before bogging down the SCC with a special interest lobbyist they might later regret.”

Currently, the State Corporation Commission, which regulates the electricity and health insurance sectors, among many other industries, is short one judge. This panel plays a key role in signing off on renewable energy projects and energy efficiency programs, a role that will be critical over the next decade as a massive clean energy expansion gets underway.

John Watkins recently announced he was out of the running for this post and he endorsed the only remaining candidate, David Clarke. Clarke has lobbied on behalf of the fossil fuel industry, health insurance providers and a list of other clients that would also be directly impacted by future SCC decisions.

Full results of the poll can be accessed here.

About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, March 27, 2018 

Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

RICHMOND – Yesterday evening, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced it had approved erosion, stormwater and sediment control plans for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, planned to cross 106 miles of rugged, mountainous terrain in Southwest Virginia.

In response to yesterday’s action, Lee Francis, communications manager for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“A news release sent at 7 p.m. on Monday does not necessarily signal that DEQ is proud of this decision, nor should they be. State regulators have now put the fate of our clean water resources in the hands of a pipeline builder with a long track record of environmental violations. We urge Governor Northam to abide by his pledge to hold this project, and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, to the highest standards possible. Virginia’s already off to a bad start in this regard.”

About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018

Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

RICHMOND – The Virginia League of Conservation Voters today released the Virginia congressional delegation’s scores on the League of Conservation Voters’ 2017 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard is the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of every member of Congress, and is available for download here, in Spanish here, and online at scorecard.lcv.org.

“Even while we continue to make progress here in Virginia expanding clean energy and addressing climate change, safeguarding our water resources, and protecting open spaces, it’s clear these priorities remain under attack at the federal level, where extreme, partisan politics is getting in the way of doing the right thing for conservation,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “In a state where voters overwhelmingly favor protecting our environment, Virginia’s congressional delegation can and must do better.”

“This Republican-led Congress repeatedly refused to stand up to President Trump’s extreme anti-environmental agenda and his attacks on our air, water, land and wildlife,” said LCV Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “In a year where devastating hurricanes and wildfires showed why the need to fight climate change is so urgent, Congress instead inflicted lasting damage on our communities by reversing clean water protections, confirming industry favorites to key environmental posts and opening up the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. Our environmental champions are more important than ever as the administration’s hostility toward our communities continues to grow.”

The 2017 Scorecard includes 35 House votes, with a national average House Republican score of 5 percent and a national average House Democrat score of 94 percent. In the Senate, the Scorecard includes 19 votes, including eight votes to confirm anti-environmental Cabinet and sub-Cabinet nominees who have wasted no time implementing Trump’s dangerous agenda. Nationally, Senate Democrats averaged 93 percent, while Senate Republicans averaged just 1 percent.

The 2017 Scorecard measures votes cast during the first session of the 115th Congress. In Virginia, four House members and Senator Kaine earned a score of 80 percent or greater, while seven House members earned an abysmal score of 10 percent or less. The average House score for Virginia was 37 percent and the average Senate score was 87 percent.

The full delegation’s scores for 2017 are:

United States Senate

Name	Party	District	2017 Score	Lifetime Score
Tim Kaine	D	Statewide	95	94
Mark Warner	D	Statewide	79	85

 

United States House of Representatives

Name	Party	District	2017 Score	Lifetime Score
Rob Wittman	R	1	3	11
Scott Taylor	R	2	6	6
Bobby Scott	D	3	100	91
Don McEachin	D	4	89	89
Tom Garrett	R	5	3	3
Bob Goodlatte	R	6	0	6
Dave Brat	R	7	0	1
Don Beyer	D	8	100	99
Morgan Griffith	R	9	0	5
Barbara Comstock	R	10	9	5
Gerry Connolly	D	11	100	97

 

LCV has published a National Environmental Scorecard every Congress since 1970. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from about 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which members of Congress should be scored. LCV scores votes on the most important issues of the year, including energy, climate change, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, and spending for environmental programs. The votes included in the Scorecard presented members of Congress with a real choice and help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. More information on individual votes and the Scorecard archive can be found at scorecard.lcv.org.