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Constitutional Right to Vote advances out of House Committee marking positive step forward for voting rights

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024

Media Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
434-989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the House Committee on Privileges and Elections advanced HJ 2 from Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, a constitutional amendment to ensure automatic restoration of voting rights for those reentering society following a felony conviction. Virginia’s the only state that permanently disenfranchises these citizens due to a provision included in the 1902 Constitution, adopted at the height of Jim Crow segregation in Virginia, which included a number of other measures to suppress Black Virginians’ voting power, including poll taxes and literacy tests. The amendments will need to pass both chambers in 2025 and 2026 before the measure can then go before voters in that fall’s General Election.

In response to this announcement Michael Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“The right to vote is fundamental. Today, we are grateful that House lawmakers recognized the need to address a historic barrier to voting for far too many Virginians for far too long. The Youngkin Administration’s slow-walking of rights restorations on an arbitrary ‘case-by-case’ basis shows the clear need for this amendment, which will grow and strengthen our democracy and give more Virginians a voice at the polls. A strong democracy is absolutely vital for a healthy environment, and we look forward to getting this major reform across the finish line.”

 

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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SCOTUS ruling paves the way for voter disenfranchisement days before a Presidential Election

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024

Media Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
434-989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of a lower court order that would have required the state to restore thousands of voters back to the voter roll following an Executive Order from Governor Youngkin in August that purged more than 6,000 Virginians flagged as “non-citizens.” A Washington Post investigation into the purge revealed that most of the individuals flagged by the order simply made paperwork errors at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and that of the three cases of illegal voting since 2022, none involved a question of citizenship.

In response to this ruling Michael Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“Virginia LCV is disappointed but not surprised that the U.S. Supreme Court in a split decision ruled in favor of Glenn Youngkin’s plan to keep approximately 1,500 Virginia citizens from being able to execute their most sacred right as an American: voting. Let’s call this what it is: abusing power and hurting people simply to score political points. A healthy environment depends on a healthy democracy, and it’s painfully clear that this Administration values neither. Turning the page from this Supreme Court, with a majority hell-bent on removing, not protecting, the rights of Americans will take longer than an election cycle or two. But Virginians should take note and use their collective power to ensure they have elected officials who will work to strengthen and not erode our democracy.”

 

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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Privacy Policy

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This Privacy Policy describes how the Virginia League of Conservation Voters (“VALCV”) collects, uses, and shares information with respect to your use of their websites, including, by way of example only, the website located at https://www.valcv.org, as well as other websites owned and operated by VALCV that link to this Privacy Policy (collectively, the “Website”). Before you use or submit any information in connection with the Website, carefully review this Privacy Policy. By using the Website, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as outlined below. The terms “you” or “user” refer to all individuals and entities accessing the Website for any reason. The terms “us” or “we” refers to VALCV. 

Information We Collect

We collect information in three main ways: (1) information you choose to provide to us; (2) information we collect automatically through technology when you use the Website; and (3) information we collect from others.

Information You Provide to Us
We collect information about our users when users choose to provide that information to us. Examples of such information collection include, for example, when you sign up to receive emails from us, when you make a donation through the Website, when you purchase merchandise through the Website, when you sign up to take action through the Website, or when you otherwise communicate or interact with us through the Website. The kinds of information we may collect include your first and last name, your mailing address, your email address, your phone number, your credit card information, and any other information you provide to us in connection with your use of the Website. Sometimes you may provide the information to a trusted third party vendor on our behalf instead of directly to us, but that vendor is permitted to use your information only for the purpose for which it was provided or otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

Information that Is Passively and Automatically Collected
When you visit the Website, we may automatically receive and record information from your computer or mobile device. This information allows us to understand how people are navigating and using our Website, and how we can improve your experience based on the information we collect. The types of information we may collect include, by way of example only, your IP address, browser type, browser language, operating system, state or country from which you accessed the Website, software and hardware attributes (including device IDs), referring and exit pages and URLs, platform type, the number of clicks, files you download, pages viewed, the amount of time spent on particular pages, the date and time you used the Website, error logs and other similar information. From your IP address, we may be able to infer your general location (e.g., city and state or postal code).

We may use third-party analytics providers and technologies, such as cookies or tracking pixels, to help us collect the data described above. We use the term “cookie” in the broad sense to include all similar techniques and technologies. A cookie is a small text file that is placed on your computer or device when you visit a website that stores certain information about your website usage. For example, cookies enable us to recognize your computer; store your preferences and settings; enhance your user experience by delivering content specific to your interests; perform searches and analytics; and assist with security administrative functions.

You can change your settings to notify you when a cookie is being set or updated, or to block cookies altogether. If you disable cookies, some functionality of the Website may be impaired.

Information We Collect from Others
We may receive additional information about you from third parties and other sources, such as from public records, marketers, researchers, analysts, social network services, and other organizations. We use this information to supplement the information that we collect directly from you to derive your possible interests and to provide a more relevant experience for you and to improve the Website and our analytics and advertising.

How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • For the purposes for which you provided the information, including:
    • To add you to our email or cell phone list;
    • To process donations you make through the Website;
    • To fulfill merchandise orders you make through the Website;
    • To provide you with information about taking action;
    • To distribute your comment or signature to the appropriate agency or official.
  • To maintain and improve the Website, including:
    • To provide the features and services available through the Website;
    • To improve the content and features of the Website or to develop new services;
    • To administer and troubleshoot the Website.
  • To communicate with you, including:
    • To send you information about your relationship with us;
    • To contact you with information that we believe may be of interest to you;
    • To contact you with fundraising solicitations;
    • To process and respond to your inquiries or to request your feedback.
  • For internal research and reporting.
  • For our business operations, including for security, fraud prevention, and legal compliance.
  • To comply with laws and regulations for our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of others.
  • For other purposes for which we seek your consent in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

If you provide us with your email address, we may add you to our email distribution list. If you wish to stop receiving emails from us, please email info@valcv.org or click the unsubscribe link in the footer of an email from us. Please note that opting out or unsubscribing will not prevent you from receiving communications that are not marketing in nature, such as important notices about changes to our terms and policies.

If you provide us with your mobile number, you consent to receiving calls and messages from VALCV. Message and data rates may apply. If you wish to stop receiving calls and messages from us, please text STOP in response to any text message you receive from us.

We may also aggregate or de-identify information we collect from you so that it is no longer linked to you or your computer or device, or we may collect information that is already in de-identified form. Our use and disclosure of aggregated or de-identified information is not subject to any restrictions under this Privacy Policy, and we may, in our sole discretion, use and disclose such information for any purpose, without limitation.

When We Disclose Your Information

We may disclose your information to or with third parties under the following circumstances:

  • With Consent. We may disclose your information with your consent.
  • To Service Providers. We may provide access to or disclose your information with select third parties that perform services for us to help us run our organization. These may include, for example, entities that provide data hosting and storage, help desk software and email services, security, research and analytics, and legal services. 
  • With our Affiliated Organizations.We may share your information amongst the VALCV family of organizations, including but not limited to, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Virginia League of Conservation Voters PAC, and our affiliated national and state organizations.
  • With Collaborators and Other Select Entities. We may share your information with other organizations with whom we may collaborate. 
  • Protection of VALCV and Others. VALCV may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that disclosure is permitted by this Privacy Policy or reasonably necessary or appropriate for any of the following reasons: 
    • to comply with legal process; 
    • to enforce this Policy, including investigation of potential violations thereof; 
    • to respond to your requests for customer service; and/or 
    • to protect the rights, property, or personal safety of VALCV, its agents and affiliates, users, and the public. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection, spam/malware prevention, and similar purposes.
  • Organizational Transfers. If we participate in a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or other transfer or reorganization of assets (including in contemplation thereof, e.g., due diligence), we may disclose your information because user information collected through the Website may be among the transferred assets. If any of VALCV’s assets are sold or transferred to a third party, information collected through the Website would likely be one of the transferred business assets.
  • Aggregated Data. We may share aggregated and de-identified information.

How We Protect Your Information

We have implemented administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect against the loss, misuse, and/or alteration of your information. These safeguards vary based on the sensitivity of the information that we collect and store. However, we cannot and do not guarantee that these measures will prevent every unauthorized attempt to access, use, or disclose your information because, despite our efforts, no Internet and/or other electronic transmissions can be completely secure.

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

The laws in some jurisdictions require that website operators tell you about the legal grounds they rely on to use or disclose your information. To the extent those laws apply, our legal grounds for processing your information are as follows:

  • Where use of your information is necessary to perform our obligations to you;
  • Where use of your information is necessary for our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of others (for example, to provide security for our Website; to provide the services we provide through our Website; to defend our legal rights; to analyze the use of our Website; to improve our services);
  • Where we have a reason to process the information in accordance with applicable law;
  • Where we have your consent to engage in a particular type of processing activity. 

Online Analytics

We may use third-party web analytics services (such as those of Google Analytics) in connection with the Website to collect and analyze the information discussed above, and to engage in auditing, research, or reporting. The information (including your IP address) collected by various analytics technologies described in the “Information that Is Passively and Automatically Collected” section will be disclosed to or collected directly by these service providers, who use the information to evaluate your use of the Website, including by noting the third party website from which you arrive, analyzing usage trends, assisting with fraud prevention, and providing certain features to you. Information about how Google uses information collected from sites that use its services is located at https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites. To prevent Google Analytics from using your information for analytics, you may install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Non-U.S. Visitors

The Website is not intended for individuals located outside of the U.S. If you are a non-U.S. resident, you acknowledge that our collection and processing of personal information is subject to United States law, and that any personal information you provide to us shall be processed in the United States, where the laws and regulations may not provide the same level of data protection rights as in the jurisdiction in which you are located.

Children’s Privacy

The Website is intended for general audiences and is not directed at children. If we become aware that we have collected information without legally valid parental consent from children under an age where such consent is required under applicable law, we will take reasonable steps to delete it as soon as possible. 

Third-Party Links and Websites

The Website may contain links to third-party websites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such other sites. The collection, use and disclosure of your information will be subject to the privacy policies of those third-party websites, not this Privacy Policy. Therefore, we encourage our users to be aware when they leave our Website and to read the privacy policies of every site they visit that collects their information.     

Revisions to Privacy Policy

We will continue to review this Privacy Policy and we may make changes to the Policy from time to time. The date at the bottom of this page indicates the last time changes were made. You should check this page periodically for updates. If we make material changes to this Policy, we will provide you with notice as required by law. Your continued use of the Website will signify that you have read, understood, and accepted the terms of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you can contact us by emailing us at info@valcv.org.

Last Updated: 9/18/24

Youngkin order on reentry overlooks Administration’s role in disenfranchising convicted felons

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

Media Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
434-989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Youngkin Administration announced an initiative to improve reentry success and prevent recidivism for the formerly incarcerated, which unfortunately contains no provisions to restore voting rights to these same individuals. Virginia is one of only a few states that doesn’t automatically restore voting rights to felons upon release; under Virginia’s constitution, that power rests with the Governor. And while Youngkin’s predecessors in office took steps to automatically restore voting rights – nearly 300,000 Virginians had their rights restored under the McAuliffe and Northam Administrations – Youngkin has only done so on a “case-by-case” basis, resulting in the highest level of voter disenfranchisement for those with felony convictions in more than a decade.

In response to this announcement Lee Francis, Deputy Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“A healthy democracy and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand. When Virginians are empowered to vote, they’re also empowered to fight for solutions in their community that keep them safe from pollution, that protect them from the climate crisis, and that safeguard their clean water. Today, more than 300,000 Virginians – 5% of the eligible voting population – are disenfranchised due to prior felony convictions, efforts that disproportionately impact people of color who also face some of our state’s highest pollution burdens. If Governor Youngkin is serious about helping more Virginians reenter society and become engaged and active citizens, then he should also restore voting rights to these same individuals. The long-term solution is a Constitutional Amendment, which we’ll be fighting for, but there is more this Administration can and should do here and now to empower Virginians and secure a healthier democracy.”

 

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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Additional offshore wind lease sale off Virginia’s coast is good news for our economy and environment

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Friday, June 28, 2024

Media Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
434-989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 Central Atlantic leasing areas could power more than 2 million homes with clean, renewable energy

RICHMOND – Today, the Department of the Interior announced it would hold an offshore wind energy lease sale in the Central Atlantic, including a 176,505-acre site approximately 35 nautical miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay off Virginia’s coast and adjacent to other sites currently under development. This site, combined with another one off the coast of Maryland and Delaware, could generate up to 6.3 gigawatts of clean, renewable energy and power up to 2.2 million homes.

In response to this announcement Lee Francis, Deputy Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“Further offshore wind deployment off our coast means more good-paying jobs in Virginia, more investment in local communities, and more clean energy powering our daily lives – all of which results in a healthy economy and a healthy environment. With the nation’s largest offshore wind project currently in development off our coast, and already creating good-paying jobs here in the Commonwealth, Virginia’s solidified its place as an offshore wind leader on the East Coast. This lease sale will allow us to go even further as we continue working toward 100 percent clean energy.”

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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Virginia LCV releases 2024 Conservation Scorecard, ranking lawmakers on key environmental votes

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, June 27, 2024

Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

With new Conservation Majority in place at General Assembly, Scorecard evaluates largest legislative agenda since 2021 

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters released its 2024 Conservation Scorecard, which ranks all 140 members of the legislature based on their votes on key environmental legislation during this year’s General Assembly session. The 2024 edition marks the 25th Scorecard by the organization, which was founded in 2000 with the goal of securing a Conservation Majority across state government, passing good environmental policy, and holding lawmakers accountable for their votes at the General Assembly. 

The full 2024 Scorecard can be viewed and downloaded here.

“Our Scorecard is integral to our organization’s mission, and this year’s edition shows just how much can change when the legislature is in the hands of lawmakers who put the environment first. We are incredibly grateful to the Senators and Delegates who worked to protect our clean air, clean water and protected lands in 2024,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “This was the most productive legislative session we’ve seen since 2021 and saw us making progress toward a clean and healthy environment. We came far from getting everything we wanted at the General Assembly, but as we head toward 2025, an important electoral year in Virginia, we’ve laid important groundwork that we hope to build on as we do everything we can to elect Virginia’s next Conservation Majority and get back to work delivering the good environmental outcomes that Virginians deserve.”

This year’s Scorecard does not include, as it has in the past two years, rankings of our Governor, as Virginia LCV opted to publish a standalone Gubernatorial Scorecard this fall. Still, having a Governor hostile to progressive environmental policy did impact what we were able to score this year as well as our overall legislative success. 

When you look at the number of bills that were passed and signed into law, the 2024 Legislative Session was the most productive General Assembly we’ve had since 2021 when we had a Conservation Majority across state government. This was also the largest proactive legislative agenda we’ve faced since 2021, which saw us taking positions on more than 100 bills and ultimately scoring 23 votes in the Senate and 21 votes in the House. 

But unlike 2020 and 2021, this year’s Scorecard evaluates an agenda built around the need to compromise and govern. As such, there were few recorded votes on more progressive or controversial legislation – these either died in subcommittees, were continued over to next year, or kicked to various commissions for further analysis. 

The votes we score also reflect increased bipartisanship at the General Assembly – with much fewer scored bills passing or dying by party-line votes, a change from the past two sessions where Conservation champions only controlled the Senate and carried out a mostly defensive policy agenda. 

Sixty-four lawmakers, 13 Senators and 51 Delegates, scored a perfect 100-percent score in 2023, earning the designation of “Legislative Hero” for voting alongside Virginia LCV’s position on top conservation priorities every time this year.

2024 Legislative Heroes

Senator Lashrecse Aird
Senator Lamont Bagby
Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy
Senator Creigh Deeds
Senator Adam Ebbin
Senator Barbara Favola
Senator Ghazala Hashmi
Senator Stella Pekarsky
Senator Russet Perry
Senator Danica Roem
Senator Saddam Salim
Senator Suhas Subramanyam
Senator Angelia Williams Graves
Delegate Bonita Anthony
Delegate Alex Askew
Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
Delegate David Bulova
Delegate Katrina Callsen
Delegate Betsy Carr
Delegate Nadarius Clark
Delegate Laura Jane Cohen
Delegate Joshua Cole
Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler
Delegate Rae Cousins
Delegate Karrie Delaney
Delegate Michael Feggans
Delegate Debra Gardner
Delegate Jackie Glass
Delegate Cliff Hayes
Delegate Dan Helmer
Delegate Rozia Henson
Delegate Phil Hernandez
Delegate Charniele Herring
Delegate Patrick Hope
Delegate Michael Jones
Delegate Karen Keys-Gamara
Delegate Paul Krizek
Delegate Amy Laufer
Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling
Delegate Alfonso Lopez
Delegate Michelle Maldonado
Delegate Marty Martinez
Delegate Adele McClure
Delegate Delores McQuinn
Delegate Candi Mundon King
Delegate Cia Price
Delegate Sam Rasoul
Delegate Atoosa Reaser
Delegate David Reid
House Speaker Don Scott
Delegate Holly Siebold
Delegate Briana Sewell
Delegate Irene Shin
Delegate Mark Sickles
Delegate Mark Simon
Delegate Shelly Simonds
Delegate Kannan Srinivasan
Delegate Rip Sullivan
Delegate Josh Thomas
Delegate Luke Torian
Delegate Kathy Tran
Delegate Jeion Ward
Delegate Vivian Watts
Delegate Rodney Willett

Another eight Senators earned scores between 75 and 99 percent in 2020, earning the designation of “Legislative Leader” for their prioritization of key conservation issues.

2024 Legislative Leaders

Senator Jennifer Boysko
Senator Mamie Locke
Senator Louise Lucas
Senator Dave Marsden
Senator Jeremy McPike
Senator Aaron Rouse
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell
Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg

Virginia LCV also recognized five lawmakers for their individual leadership this year on different environmental issues. These went to Senator Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville), Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg), Delegate Michael Webert (R-Fauquier), Delegate Kathy Tran (D-Fairfax), and Delegate Michael Feggans (D-Virginia Beach). 

 

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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With Clean Cars Action, Youngkin Again Thinks He’s Above the Law

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Media Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
434-989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

2021 Statute Directs Virginia to Adopt and Update Strong Rules to Advance Pollution-Free Cars, Cut Tailpipe Pollution

RICHMOND — Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced his Administration would again move to side-step established Virginia law by not moving forward with the next phase of Advanced Clean Cars Standards, as mandated by statute passed in 2021 to bring cleaner vehicles to Virginia, expand consumer choice, protect public health, and address our state’s largest contributor to the climate crisis.

In response to this action, Michael Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“Taking away one of our best tools to protect Virginians from power plant pollution wasn’t enough. Now, Governor Youngkin wants Virginians to keep breathing tailpipe pollution too, despite laws on the books mandating the Commonwealth to tackle both of these major drivers of the climate crisis and detriments to public health. By continuing to stand in the way of climate progress, Youngkin is jeopardizing our health and our economy. The transition to a cleaner transportation future is well underway, with most major car manufacturers responding to consumer demand with plans to transition most or all of their fleet to clean cars in the coming years. In the face of a massive economic opportunity, Youngkin is fine with Virginia being left in the dust on the road to nowhere.”

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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Lawmakers miss opportunity to protect climate compact, invest in vulnerable communities

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Friday, May 10, 2024

Media Contact:`
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
434-989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

Vital Program to Cut Pollution, Lower Energy Costs, and Protect Virginians from Flood Risk Removed as Part of Budget Compromise

 

RICHMOND — According to news reports, members of the budget conference committee failed to include language in the new budget insisting that the Commonwealth remain a part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI is a multi-state carbon cap-and-invest program that in just three years brought nearly $830 million to Virginia to fund flood resiliency projects and energy efficiency programs for low-income Virginians, while also cutting power plant pollution by almost 25 percent. Lawmakers will return to Richmond next week to take up the full, revised budget.

In response to this action, leaders from Virginia’s environmental community issued the following joint statement:

“The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has been one of our best tools in Virginia to combat climate change while returning investment to the communities across the Commonwealth that need it most. At a time when we’re seeing extreme weather events happen more regularly, and as we head into what forecasters are saying will be another summer of scorching temperatures, it is incredibly disappointing that lawmakers aren’t doing everything they can to stand up to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s illegal RGGI repeal and gutting of a program intended to protect vulnerable communities from flooding and lower energy costs. This governor deserves to be held accountable for attempting to unilaterally override Virginia law, and this capitulation by the General Assembly unfortunately sets us back.

“Staying out of RGGI, and foregoing the hundreds of millions of dollars it generates each year, further burdens already disadvantaged communities on the frontlines of pollution and flooding impacts, and who shoulder disproportionate household energy costs. Furthermore, cutting this dedicated source of funding without a plan to address flooding, at a time when severe weather events are becoming more and more common, is reckless and bad public policy. And without funding for energy efficiency programs, the families least able to afford it will continue seeing rising energy costs as we head into the hot summer months.

“To be clear, Gov. Youngkin got us into this mess. But it is incumbent on lawmakers to do everything they can going forward to protect vulnerable communities from climate change and rising energy costs, and to secure a clean energy future.”

Michael Town, Executive Director, Virginia League of Conservation Voters

Lillian Anderson, Clean Energy & Climate Justice Policy & Campaigns Manager, Virginia Conservation Network

Connor Kish, Director, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter

Peter Anderson, Director of State Energy Policy, Appalachian Voices

Faith B. Harris, Executive Director, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light

Victoria Higgins, Virginia Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund

Elly Boehmer Wilson, State Director, Environment Virginia

Mary-Carson Stiff, Executive Director, Wetlands Watch

Elisabeth Chaves, Climate Equity Policy Fellow, Virginia Organizing

Tyneshia Griffin, Environmental Policy Analyst, New Virginia Majority

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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Environmental, labor advocates join lawmakers to discuss local benefits of federal climate investments

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Media Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
434-989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

CHESAPEAKE – Tuesday, April 23, on the heels of Earth Day and the announcement of hundreds of millions of dollars of clean energy funding coming to the Commonwealth, labor and environmental advocates joined Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-3) and Delegate Bonita Anthony (HD-92) at the United Association’s Local 110 Training Facility to discuss the economic and environmental benefits of federal clean energy investment to Hampton Roads and to tour the facility where UA Local 110 helps prepare the next generation of skilled workers for the workforce. Here is a recording of speakers’ remarks. 

“Thanks to investments made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, Hampton Roads is leading the clean energy transition,” said Congressman Scott. “This is good for the climate and good for energy reliability, but it also creates opportunities for workers. By developing a skilled workforce, we can create new, good-paying jobs here in Hampton Roads and provide our community with clean, affordable energy.”

“I’ve been at the forefront of workforce diversification, advocating for tailored training pathways in Hampton Roads. Leveraging our academic backbone, including Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, and Tidewater Community College, we’re preparing a skilled labor force for the clean energy sector,” said Delegate Anthony. “Through initiatives like Tidewater Community College’s Apprenticeship Institute and House Bill 1345, we’re not only creating pathways to well-paying careers but also advocating for union jobs and ensuring that opportunities within the district prioritize Virginia workers, securing a prosperous future for all.”

The billions of dollars of investment from federal laws such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act are translating into clear economic and environmental benefits in the Commonwealth – the only southern state with a plan to reach 100% clean energy by mid-century.

“We can best address climate change by also investing in a well-trained professional workforce,” said Michael Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “Thanks to the leadership of the Biden Administration and members of Congress like Congressman Scott, we are seeing unprecedented federal investment in clean energy, climate action and workforce development. In a state like Virginia where we’re already working toward 100% clean energy deployment, these resources can help support and accelerate this transition.”

As we’re securing cleaner air and working to address the climate crisis, we’re also building a new economy, creating good-paying union jobs in Hampton Roads

“As the country transitions to a cleaner economy and we grow our supply chain for critical infrastructure, we need to develop a workforce who will build this new economy,” said Dan Taylor, Appalachian Regional Field Organizer with BlueGreen Alliance. “Thanks to the historic federal investments passed by President Biden, Rep. Scott, and his colleagues, the demand for these highly skilled workers—like UA members—is expected to skyrocket in the coming years. That’s why the rigorous apprenticeship and training programs offered by unions are so crucial.”

“The historic federal investments we’re seeing rolled out now leave us with a huge opportunity to create the good, union jobs Virginians need,” said Kris Begolly, business manager of the United Association’s Plumbers and Pipefitter Local 110. “This funding will help address real problems in our infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and other sectors. The high-quality, union-led apprenticeship programs offered by this local union and other construction trades across the Hampton Roads area are already helping us to prepare workers to step into these good-paying careers.”

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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Virginia LCV Calls on Youngkin to Seize Opportunity to Bring Clean Energy Jobs and Investment to Virginia

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – On Wednesday, April 17, lawmakers rejected Governor Youngkin’s amendments to Senate Bill 729, legislation to establish the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank in Virginia and take advantage of billions of dollars of potential investment to help drive our clean energy transition. Youngkin’s amendment would have required lawmakers to vote again on the issue in 2025, delaying our state’s ability to take advantage of what’s been termed the “sleeping giant” of clean energy investment, and giving other states a competitive advantage when it comes to securing these federal grants and loans.

In response to this decision, Michael Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“First, Governor Youngkin shot down a multi-million-dollar Ford electric vehicle battery plant. Then, he decided to let our tax dollars go to help other states drive their clean energy transition, along with the jobs and economic growth that come with it. Senators were right to reject Youngkin’s backwards amendment to this bill. We shouldn’t have to wait to bring clean energy dollars to Virginia. Doing so means missing out on an incredible opportunity to take advantage of federal programs and incentives that can help cut pollution and create clean energy jobs here in the Commonwealth. We sincerely hope our Governor does the right thing for our economy by signing this bill into law.”

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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