For Immediate Release:
Friday, March 8, 2024

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

 

RICHMOND – Today, House and Senate Budget Conferees released their final, agreed-upon spending plans, and the end result delivers on a number of important environmental priorities, including rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and funding key water pollution reduction programs.

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

“This budget – though not perfect – is one of the strongest spending plans we’ve ever seen for environmental protection in Virginia, and will go a long way in ensuring clean air and water for all Virginians. From taking bold climate action and bringing federal clean energy to our state, to making the investments we need to ensure a clean and healthy Chesapeake Bay, this budget delivers in a big way. We are grateful to Chairman Luke Torian and Chairwoman Louise Lucas for the key role they played in moving this budget forward and urge the full General Assembly to send this budget to the Governor for his signature.”

Highlights of the budget include the following:

• Language directing the state to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, to cut power plant pollution and fund flood resiliency and energy efficiency programs;

• $400 million for wastewater upgrades;

• More than $230 million for agricultural best management practices;

• $150 million to WMATA (Metro);

• $20 million for a new innovative, outcome-based pilot program to help provide demonstrable water pollution reductions;

• $10 million for the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank;

• $1.2 million for Virginia’s first statewide forest conservation plan and another $2.5 million for the Forest Sustainability Fund;

• $1 million of enterprise zone grants for rooftop and parking lot solar;

• $200,000 to rejoin the Electronic Registration Information Center and ensure election integrity

 

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.

For Immediate Release:
Monday, March 4, 2024

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

 

‘Clean Energy Innovation Authority’ will work to finance pollution reduction, renewable energy projects

RICHMOND – Today, in a bipartisan vote of 57-40, the House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 729, legislation from Majority Leader Scott Surovell to create the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Authority tasked with financing clean energy development and projects that cut greenhouse gas emissions. This authority opens the door to an influx of federal clean energy grants and loans made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, including $400 billion of U.S. Department of Energy Loan Program Office funds. 

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

“This legislation is a huge win for clean energy in Virginia. By putting federal dollars to work here in the Commonwealth, we can take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic investments in clean energy, further growing our clean energy economy, cutting pollution, and creating good-paying jobs as we work toward achieving our clean energy future. We are thankful for the leadership of Majority Leader Surovell and urge Governor Youngkin to sign this legislation so we can seize on the incredible opportunity to bring clean energy dollars to our state.” 

 

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.

###

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024

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

RICHMOND – Today, Virginia LCV released the Virginia delegation’s scores for the League of Conservation Voters’ 2023 National Environmental Scorecard highlighting how some members chose to champion the environment and protect our democracy, while others failed to do so. Since 1970, LCV’s Scorecard has been the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress. It is available for download in English here, in Spanish here, and online in both languages at scorecard.lcv.org.

The 2023 Scorecard shows the stark contrast between pro-environmental members of Congress and extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress. This year, many in our state’s delegation like U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and U.S. Reps. Don Beyer, Gerry Connolly, Jennifer McClellan, Bobby Scott, Abigail Spanberger, and Jennifer Wexton worked to fight back against attacks on our democracy and environmental protections unleashed by a chaotic, MAGA Republican-led House that took hundreds of dangerous votes to cater to Big Polluters and the most extreme wing of their party.

This was a dramatic change from 2022, when climate champions led both the House and Senate, passing the most significant climate and clean energy investments in American history. In 2023, Congressional gridlock and chaos created by MAGA extremists led to one of the least productive Congresses ever.

“We are grateful here in Virginia to have a congressional delegation that by and large works to advance strong environmental protections, address the climate crisis, and protect our democracy from extreme, MAGA attacks. The dysfunction and chaos in the House of Representatives throughout 2023 was a disservice to Virginians and the American people and we sincerely hope that better days are ahead in Congress,” said Virginia LCV Executive Director Michael Town. “We don’t have time to waste when it comes to addressing the climate crisis and securing our clean energy transition, and it’s imperative that the next Congress picks up where we left off in 2022. Here in Virginia, one of the state’s most impacted by rising sea levels, we’re working hard to stay the course on cutting pollution, creating clean energy jobs, and protecting clean air for all Virginians. Virginia’s Congressional delegation must continue doing everything it can in Washington to bring investment to our state and to pass policies that protect clean air and water and secure a democracy that works for everyone.”

“Following the most productive Congress in history for climate action, 2023 was not only the hottest year on record, it was one of the least productive legislative years ever because of MAGA House Republicans’ extreme leadership,” said LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “The last Congress showed that transformational change that works for both our communities and our planet is possible when our elected leaders come together to pass meaningful legislation that will tackle the climate crisis and environmental injustice. In 2023, the near record number of House votes included underscores that the new House Republican majority did the bidding of Big Polluters and sought to undo the Biden-Harris administration’s historic leadership on climate change. We appreciate our allies in the House who consistently opposed these attacks and, thanks to champions in the Senate and the President’s steadfast leadership, these attempts to undermine the historic affordable clean energy plan were unsuccessful.”

For the second year, the 2023 Scorecard highlights the leadership of the Tri-Caucus, including the history-making election of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as the first member of the Tri-Caucus elected to lead either chamber. Leadership of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) scored an average of 99% on the 2023 Scorecard. These champions in Congress led and supported many of the climate, conservation, environmental justice, and equitable democracy bills and initiatives in 2023, in addition to helping to educate constituents and connect communities to the transformational investments within the affordable clean energy plan.

The growing impacts of the climate crisis required an all-of-government approach that Congress helped deliver, despite relentless attempts by the fossil fuel industry and other entrenched interests to put their profits over Virginia.

The 2023 Scorecard includes 36 votes in the House several of which were messaging amendments offered on major funding bills. The Senate in contrast approved 69 lifetime federal judges with exceptional environmental records.

The full delegation’s scores for 2023 are:

U.S. Senate

 

U.S. House of Representatives

LCV has published a National Environmental Scorecard every Congress since 1970. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from more than 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, environmental justice, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, democracy, and spending for environmental programs. The votes included in the Scorecard presented members of Congress with a real choice and helped distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. More information on individual votes and the Scorecard archive can be found at scorecard.lcv.org.

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.

###

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024

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

Commission Will Oversee Virginia’s Clean Energy Transition, Hold Utilities Accountable

RICHMOND – Yesterday, the General Assembly filled two long-vacant posts on the State Corporation Commission, sending Kelsey Bagot and Sam Towell to join Jehmal Hudson on the regulatory body that oversees our state’s big electric utilities and which will determine the trajectory of Virginia’s clean energy future.

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

“Today’s State Corporation Commission appointments are a win for ratepayers and the environment. This SCC will oversee much of our state’s transition to an affordable, clean energy future and will be a much-needed check on our state’s big electric utilities, ensuring their investments are in line with Virginia’s laws to completely decarbonize our grid by 2045 – protecting clean air and Virginia consumers. Chairman Deeds and Chairwoman Ward deserve a ton of credit for getting the job done and filling these vacancies with two individuals that will make excellent commissioners.”

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.

###

Held Senate, flipped House translate to good environmental outcomes, defeat of Youngkin’s anti-climate action agenda

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023

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

RICHMOND – Today, voters returned a Conservation Majority to the General Assembly, defeating an extreme, MAGA agenda that would have taken us backwards on climate action, clean air and water, safe open spaces and a democracy that works for all Virginians. The Virginia League of Conservation Voters’ Political Action Committee ran a $2.2 million electoral program this cycle – the largest in the organization’s history for legislative races – to elect environmental champions in key swing districts across Virginia. When taking into account the additional investments made in Virginia by our national affiliate, the League of Conservation Voters, that number is $2.75 million.

In response to tonight’s outcome at the polls, Michael Town, Executive Director of Virginia LCV, issued the following statement:

“Tonight, voters sent a clear message: they want to see a Virginia that works for them, not big, corporate polluters. With a Conservation Majority headed to the General Assembly we have the opportunity to continue pushing forward policies that protect clean air and water, address the climate crisis, grow the green economy, protect communities, and make Virginians’ lives better. Our Governor will now have a choice in the closing two years of his term: will he continue to side with his dirty fossil fuel donors or do what’s right for our Commonwealth? We intend to do everything we can to put bills on his desk to find out just that.”

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.

###

‘Record of Decision’ paves the way for enough clean energy to power nearly 1 million homes

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023

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

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued its Record of Decision in favor of moving the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project forward. The largest project of its kind, CVOW will consist of 176 wind turbines roughly 23.5 nautical miles off Virginia’s coast, capable of generating enough clean energy to power nearly 1 million homes.

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

“Virginia’s truly reached a clean energy milestone and we wouldn’t be here without the Biden Administration’s leadership on renewable energy and the visionary policies enacted by the General Assembly in 2020 and 2021 – policies that Governor Youngkin and his allies have repeatedly tried to weaken or repeal, despite the clear economic and environment benefits of advancing a clean energy future. This project is a milestone, but is hopefully the first of many to come – we must do everything we can to transition to a clean and just energy future and offshore wind will play an outsized role as we commit to 100 percent clean electricity by mid-century.”

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.

###

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023

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

$2M campaign will help elect environmental leaders to the General Assembly

RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters announced that its Political Action Committee will be making the organization’s largest investment to-date in must-win legislative elections. Results in November will shape the trajectory of climate action and environmental protection through the next Gubernatorial and House of Delegates elections in 2025.

The $2 million, multi-faceted campaign will help elect environmental leaders to the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia who are committed to protecting clean air and water, building a clean energy economy, and working toward a clean energy future, while holding Governor Youngkin’s extreme, anti-environmental MAGA agenda at bay for the remainder of his term.

“We need strong environmental leadership now more than ever in Virginia, and we’re all-in to restore the Conservation Majority at the General Assembly,” said Michael Town, Executive Director of Virginia LCV. “Governor Youngkin and his extreme allies up and down the ticket have one thing in common: they want to dismantle the progress we’ve made in Virginia and put big polluters’ interests above what’s best for our Commonwealth. We refuse to let that happen, which is why we’re mounting our largest legislative electoral campaign to-date to send environmental leaders to Richmond.”

Paid Communications: Virginia LCV-PAC is making deep investments in layered mail and digital programs in the following Senate and House Districts, with the possibility of expanding this program further as we near Election Day: Schuyler VanValkenburg, SD-16; Russet Perry, SD-31; Josh Thomas, HD-21; Joshua Cole, HD-52; Kimberly Pope Adams, HD-82; and Michael Feggans, HD-97.

Paid Field: Virginia LCV-PAC, working with the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, is running a large $585,000 relational organizing and canvass program to help re-elect Monty Mason to the Virginia Senate in his new district, SD-24, which includes Newport News, and parts of Williamsburg, York County and Poquoson. The 19 canvassers on the ground plan to knock 57,000 doors in the district, engaging voters in one of the important districts vital to maintaining an environmental firewall in the State Senate.

GreenRoots: VALCV PAC will run its on-the-ground voter mobilization in key battleground districts in Virginia Beach and metro Richmond, adding organizing capacity for the campaigns of Aaron Rouse, SD-22; Schuyler VanValkenburg, SD-16; Michael Feggans, HD-97; Rodney Willet, HD-58; and Kimberly Pope Adams, HD-82.

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.

###

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023

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

Slate of candidates commit to bold, climate action and putting environmental protection first

RICHMOND – This fall, all 140 seats in the General Assembly will be on the ballot in pivotal elections that will determine whether Governor Youngkin’s regressive, MAGA agenda moves forward with allies at the legislature committed to rolling back generational progress on climate action, or if his attacks on our Virginians’ clean air and water will continue to run into a Brick Wall.

As an organization with a goal of securing a Conservation Majority, Virginia LCV is working hard to elect environmental champions to the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia. To-date, Virginia LCV has endorsed 57 candidates ahead of this year’s legislative elections who, like most Virginians, are all committed to our vision of a Virginia where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians.

“Governor Youngkin’s extreme MAGA agenda would set Virginia back decades in the fight for a liveable future. When Youngkin wants to keep our state tied to harmful fossil fuels, roll back our state’s best tools to address climate change amidst record heat, and let polluters off the hook, we’re backing candidates for the General Assembly who are committed to taking serious climate action, putting our environment first and standing up for the Virginia communities that are on the frontlines of the climate crisis,” said Michael Town, executive director of Virginia LCV.

To earn a Virginia LCV endorsement, candidates must complete a candidate questionnaire; new candidates with no voting history also go through an interview process with staff and the organization’s board of directors, who ultimately vote on all candidate endorsements. It should be noted despite our outreach to their campaigns, no Republican candidates opted to complete our questionnaire or go through our endorsement process.

The following candidates have completed this process and received Virginia LCV’s endorsement so far in the 2023 election cycle:

House of Delegates
Kimberly Pope Adams (D) – District 82
Rob Banse (D) – District 30
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D) – District 5
David Bulova (D) – District 11
Betsy Carr (D) – District 78
Nadarius Clark (D) – District 84
Laura Jane Cohen (D) – District 16
Joshua Cole (D) – District 65
Karrie Delaney (D) – District 9
Michael Feggans (D) – District 97
Lily Franklin (D) – District 41
Debra Gardner (D) – District 76
Susanna Gibson (D) – District 57
Dan Helmer (D) – District 10
Phil Hernandez (D) – District 94
Charniele Herring (D) – District 4
Patrick Hope (D) – District 1
Karen Jenkins (D) – District 89
Karen Keys-Gamarra – District 7
Amy Laufer (D) – District 55
Candi Mundon King (D) – District 23
Paul Krizek (D) – District 16
Alfonso Lopez (D) – District 3
Michelle Maldonado (D) – District 20
Marty Martinez (D) – District 29
Adele McClure (D) – District 2
Travis Nembhard (D) – District 22
Sam Rasoul (D) – District 38
Don Scott (D) – District 88
Briana Sewell (D) – District 25
Marcus Simon (D) – District 13
Shelly Simonds (D) – District 70
Irene Shin (D) – District 8
Rip Sullivan (D) – District 6
Josh Thomas (D) – District 21
Luke Torian (D) – District 24
Kathy Tran (D) – District 18
Vivian Watts (D) – District 14
Rodney Willett (D) – District 58

Senate of Virginia
Jennifer Boysko (D) – District 6
Creigh Deeds (D) – District 11
Adam Ebbin (D) – District 39
Barbara Favola (D) – District 40
Angelia Williams Graves (D) – District 21
Joel Griffin (D) – District 27
Ghazala Hashmi (D) – District 15
Clint Jenkins (D) – District 17
Mamie Locke (D) – District 23
Dave Marsden (D) – District 35
Monty Mason (D) – District 24
Jeremy McPike (D) – District 29
Stella Pekarsky (D) – District 36
Russet Perry (D) – District 31
Danica Roem (D) – District 30
Aaron Rouse (D) – District 22
Scott Surovell (D) – District 38
Schuyler VanValkenburg (D) – District 16

 

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.