For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

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

RICHMOND – On July 3, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters officially released its 2023 Conservation Scorecard, ranking all 140 members of the legislature and the Governor based on whether they stand for – or in the way of – a clean and healthy environment and a democracy that works for all Virginians.

Monday, several lawmakers who earned a perfect 100% score gathered with Virginia LCV in Richmond to discuss their important work holding the line on environmental progress in 2023, and highlighting the regressive and reckless climate rollbacks being led by the Youngkin Administration.

The group included a representative from the office of Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, who had earned a perfect 100% in her last year as a State Senator and who Virginia LCV recognized in its Scorecard with a special acknowledgement honoring her for her continued leadership on environmental issues.

“The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats of our lifetime, and we must do everything in our power to reduce our carbon footprint, accelerate the deployment of clean-energy technologies, and advance environmental justice,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. “I am proud of the work my Virginia State Senate colleagues and I accomplished this past year, fending off attacks on climate action. I led passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, making our Commonwealth the only state in the South with a 100% clean-energy standard by 2050, and we cannot allow the progress we have made to be undermined. Now in Congress, I will continue to be a climate advocate and fight for a healthier, greener future for every American.”

State lawmakers present included Delegates Rodney Willett and Schuyler VanValkenburg, and Senator Lamont Bagby, who fielded questions from the public and spoke to the importance of continuing to prioritize solutions that reduce pollution and secure a clean energy future.

“I’ve been incredibly proud to fight for conservation policies in the General Assembly the last four years, and it’s an honor to partner with the Virginia League of Conservation Voters through their great advocacy,” said Delegate Rodney Willett. “Environmental protections and transitioning to clean energy should be top priorities for all as we address the harmful impacts of climate change in our communities.”

“Since my first day in the General Assembly, I have been a strong advocate for environmental justice and the conservation community,” said Senator Lamont Bagby. I am proud to have ushered through legislation aimed at addressing the climate crisis in the House of Delegates and look forward to continuing the fight in the Virginia State Senate.”

“We’ve seen the impacts of the climate crisis across the Commonwealth, and Virginians deserve legislators that will fight to promptly confront the negative effects of climate change,” said Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg. “In the House of Delegates, I was proud to support legislation that safeguards our environment and creates green, innovative jobs for our workforce. I look forward to continuing this work in the State Senate.”

Following Richmond’s town hall Virginia LCV will be holding two more events this month in Newport News and Prince William County, with the goal of highlighting champion lawmakers and showing voters what’s at stake for our environment. With all 140 seats on the ballot this fall, Virginia LCV will be continuing to work to make sure climate action remains a top priority at the General Assembly.

“We don’t have any time to lose in the climate fight. And with Governor Youngkin actively working to take away our state’s best tools to combat this crisis, it’s vitally important that our lawmakers continue to hold the line at the General Assembly,” said Michael Town, Executive Director of Virginia LCV. “We are incredibly grateful to the lawmakers who were up to this task in 2023, and will be continuing to hold accountable the decision makers who were working to take us backwards.”

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:
Monday, July 3, 2023

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

RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters released its 2023 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, and includes our second comprehensive rankings for the Governor based on his actions on the environment over the past year.

The full 2023 Scorecard can be viewed and downloaded here.

“We are grateful that the Conservation Majority in the State Senate again held the line on the gains we’ve made, but we know we need to go further to protect our environment for the next generation,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “With elections for all 140 seats in the General Assembly on the ballot this fall, 2023 is an incredibly important year for the future of environmental protection in Virginia. Voters will have the choice between Governor Youngkin’s reckless, harmful policies or continuing on the path to cleaner air and a clean energy future, and our Scorecard shows Virginians exactly what’s at stake, while making sure that lawmakers keep our issues top-of-mind.”

Governor Youngkin rose from an F to a D-minus in this year’s rankings based on his work on utility regulation and his inclusion of strong water quality funding in budget amendments sent down prior to the 2023 legislative session. Youngkin’s overall grade reflects his repeated attacks on climate action – both at the legislature and through the regulatory process – his rejection of an electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant for political reasons, some questionable appointments, bad amendments to legislation, and his tilt toward embracing right-wing election conspiracy theories that undermine our democracy.

On this legislative side, this year’s Scorecard very much reflects our current political lay of the land that saw the environmental community working to protect the progress we’ve made in recent years, especially our policies to cut carbon emissions, address the climate crisis, and secure a clean energy future. At the end of the day, no piece of legislation that we opposed made it to the Governor’s desk, though we only saw marginal forward progress on environmental protection. 

This year’s legislator scores take into account 20 votes in the House of Delegates and 23 votes in the Senate of Virginia. 

Sixty-four lawmakers, 21 Senators and 43 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.

2023 Legislative Heroes

Sen. George Barker
Sen. John Bell
Sen. Jennifer Boysko
Sen. Creigh Deeds
Sen. Adam Ebbin
Sen. John Edwards
Sen. Barbara Favola
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi
Sen. Janet Howell
Sen. Lynwood Lewis
Sen. Mamie Locke
Sen. Louise Lucas
Sen. Dave Marsden
Sen. Monty Mason
Sen. Jennifer McClellan
Sen. Jeremy McPike
Sen. Joe Morrissey
Sen. Chap Petersen
Sen. Aaron Rouse
Sen. Lionell Spruill
Sen. Scott Surovell

Del. Dawn Adams
Del. Lamont Bagby
Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
Del. Jeffrey Bourne
Del. David Bulova
Del. Betsy Carr
Del. Nadarius Clark
Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler
Del. Karrie Delaney
Del. Eileen Filler-Corn
Del. Wendy Gooditis
Del. Elizabeth Guzman
Del. Charniele Herring
Del. Patrick Hope
Del. Sally Hudson
Del. Clint Jenkins
Del. Kaye Kory
Del. Paul Krizek
Del. Alfonso Lopez
Del. Michelle Maldonado
Del. Delores McQuinn
Del. Michael Mullin
Del. Candi Mundon King
Del. Kathleen Murphy
Del. Ken Plum
Del. Cia Price
Del. Sam Rasoul
Del. David Reid
Del. Danica Roem
Del. Holly Siebold
Del. Briana Sewell
Del. Irene Shin
Del. Mark Sickles
Del. Mark Simon
Del. Shelly Simonds
Del. Suhas Subramanyam
Del. Rip Sullivan
Del. Luke Torian
Del. Kathy Tran
Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg
Del. Jeion Ward
Del. Vivian Watts
Del. Rodney Willett

Another 6 lawmakers, one Senator and five Delegates, earned scores between 75 and 99 percent in 2020, earning the designation of “Legislative Leader” for their prioritization of key conservation issues.

2023 Legislative Leaders

Sen. Dick Saslaw (85%)
Del. Jackie Glass (94%)
Del. Angelia Williams Graves (94%)
Del. Cliff Hayes (95%)
Del. Dan Helmer (94%)
Del. Don Scott (94%)

Virginia LCV also recognized three lawmakers for their individual leadership this year on different environmental issues. These went to Senator Emmett Hanger (R-Augusta), Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond) and former Senator, now Congresswoman, Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond). 

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 7, 2023

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

RICHMOND – Today, after hearing from speaker after speaker urging them to keep Virginia in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and following a months-long public comment period showing broad support for this program, the State Air Pollution Control Board voted 4-3 to proceed with Governor Youngkin’s illegal repeal effort. 

In response to this vote, Michael Town, executive director, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement: 

“Today’s vote by Governor Youngkin’s rigged Air Board is a blatant end-run around the legislature and a handout to big polluters at the expense of Virginia communities that are now on their own to combat dangerous flooding. This shortsighted repeal effort will also lead to a heavier energy burden for vulnerable Virginians already struggling with household costs. If Youngkin spent half the time doing the right thing for his constituents that he does trying to grab national attention, he might have noticed that Virginians overwhelmingly support climate action and want to see us stay in this vital program that’s already yielding positive results for our Commonwealth in the form of cleaner air and direct investments that make Virginians’ lives better.” 

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:
Friday, June 2, 2023

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

RICHMOND – Last night, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) that would have rightfully stripped a provision from the debt ceiling deal to greenlight the environmentally destructive Mountain Valley Pipeline. With the Senate voting to pass the so-called Fiscal Responsibility Act, this project – which is billions of dollars over budget, years behind schedule, and which has violated environmental laws in two states hundreds of times – has secured an unprecedented handout from Congress, one that paves the way for more environmental devastation in Southwest Virginia.

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

“Lawmakers in Congress should never have been given the false choice between economic collapse and approving a sweetheart deal for one fossil fuel company. The Mountain Valley Pipeline’s inclusion in this must-pass bill was incredibly cynical, and we know what comes next: more environmental devastation from an irresponsible developer, and more pain in Southwest Virginia. We are incredibly grateful for the leadership of Sen. Tim Kaine, U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, and Virginia’s entire Democratic delegation who fought hard to keep the MVP out of this deal. But it never should have come to this – lawmakers in Congress are not permitting agencies or seated judges. With Congress’s thumb now on the scale, the people most impacted by this project, who have been standing up for their communities, have been marginalized. They deserve better.”

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:
Thursday, May 18, 2023

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

Environmental group notes candidate’s ongoing leadership on conservation issues in making pre-primary endorsement

RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters officially endorsed the election bid of Bob Shippee for House District 57, ahead of must-win elections this fall for the future of environmental protections in Virginia. Shippee’s endorsement comes ahead of the June Democratic primary and is among Virginia LCV’s first endorsements of the 2023 cycle.

“Bob Shippee is one of the most well-regarded environmentalists working for a better Virginia in the General Assembly, and has played a key role in securing cleaner air and water, and a safe and healthy environment for all Virginians. We endorsed Bob’s candidacy because we know that, as a delegate, he’ll make environmental protection his top priority at a time when we need environmental leadership more than ever,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.

“I’ve spent years fighting for clean energy and environmental protection, and receiving this endorsement from such a highly-respected conservation organization is truly humbling,” said Bob Shippee, candidate for House District 57. “The Virginia League of Conservation Voters has been a powerful force in advancing environmental and climate solutions in the legislature, and I’ll be a proud partner with them as we build on those successes.”

With all 140 seats on the ballot in newly drawn legislative districts, the 2023 elections for the General Assembly will determine whether Governor Youngkin will be able to push forward his attacks on climate action and environment protection during the second half of his term.

Virginia LCV will be working hard this cycle to regain a bicameral “Conservation Majority” at the legislature committed to blocking Youngkin’s regressive vision for Virginia and protecting clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment for all Virginians.

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, April 12, 2023

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

RICHMOND – Today, during the reconvened “veto” session, the State Senate rejected Governor Youngkin’s amendments to Senate Bill 1231, which attempted to undermine the Virginia Clean Economy Act and our clean energy future in a number of harmful ways – some of which the Senate had already rejected in other legislation. The House of Delegates took no action on the House companion bill, HB 2026.

Youngkin’s amendments would have added nuclear and hydrogen to Virginia’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, kept fossil fuel plants running past their retirement date outlined under the VCEA, delayed our clean energy targets, and given special carve-outs to a singular electric cooperative, allowing them to financially benefit from Renewable Energy Credits under the VCEA without having to comply with any of its requirements.

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

“Virginians overwhelmingly support affordable clean energy and climate action, yet Governor Youngkin continues going out of his way to keep our state tied to volatile and dirty fossil fuels. We are grateful that the Senate defeated today’s harmful amendments to Senate Bill 1231 – the last of the Youngkin-led attacks on climate action from this year’s legislative session – voting instead to keep Virginia on the path to climate action, while rejecting Youngkin’s regressive vision for our Commonwealth. We simply cannot waste time when it comes to cutting pollution and addressing the climate crisis and it’s well past time for Governor Youngkin to stop playing political games with our energy future.”

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:
Friday, March 17, 2023

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

RICHMOND –  Thursday, March 16, Virginia lawmakers joined with public health and environmental advocates to voice opposition to Governor Youngkin’s ongoing, unlawful efforts to repeal Virginia’s membership in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This comes the same day the State Air Pollution Control Board is accepting in-person public comment on this misguided repeal effort.

The General Assembly voted to join this program in 2020 and it has returned nearly $590 million in revenue to Virginia so far to fund vital flooding resiliency and energy efficiency efforts while slashing power plant pollution, efforts that are helping bolster our state’s clean energy advances.

Legislative attempts to repeal our membership in RGGI in recent years have been unsuccessful thanks to Democrats in the State Senate who passed our Commonwealth’s strongest climate action policies in 2020 and 2021 and who have helped defend that progress from attack in back-to-back legislative sessions.

“March Madness just started today, but Governor Youngkin’s got his own March Madness going on, and it’s called taking us out of RGGI. I can’t think of anything more ill-advised than that,” said Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Fairfax). “When it comes to clean energy, the Commonwealth’s the first seed in the South, we’re at the top of the bracket, the real leaders who are creating clean energy jobs, lowering pollution rates and securing a better tomorrow for Virginians all across the state.”

“Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has quickly emerged as a strong benefit to the Commonwealth. Lowering carbon emissions contributes to global efforts to impact climate change and also results in better health outcomes for vulnerable communities,” said Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond). “Additionally, the hundreds of millions of dollars generated by RGGI have helped our efforts in coastal resilience, flood disasters, and the development of energy-efficient low-income housing. RGGI benefits our environment and coastal communities, and improves quality of life throughout Virginia.”

“The importance of Virginia’s participation in RGGI cannot be overstated; It is by and large the most consequential piece of legislation I sponsored during my two decades in the Virginia legislature. The critical reduction in carbon emissions and investments in energy efficiency and  coastal resiliency that have resulted from the hundreds of millions of dollars in RGGI revenues would not have happened without our participation – and it is nearly impossible to see how this progress or these investments would be maintained without it,” said  Sen. Lynwood Lewis (D-Accomac). “Not only is the legal authority of the Governor to remove Virginia from RGGI in question, but to do so would put the future of our flood-prone and environmentally vulnerable communities in serious jeopardy.”

Environmental advocates recognized the success of RGGI and the leadership of lawmakers who have helped defend our climate action progress.

“RGGI is working, two-thirds of Virginians support it, and Governor Youngkin lacks the legal authority to take us out of this vital program,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “We’re grateful for the leadership of our allies in the Senate for defending our climate action policies at the legislature and for standing with us today in solidarity against Youngkin’s reckless push to abandon our state’s climate commitments.”

“RGGI has had a real, lasting effect on creating more affordable and energy-efficient housing throughout Virginia,” said Chelsea Harnish, executive director of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council. “Since joining RGGI in 2021, Virginia has received over $250 million to make affordable housing safer, healthier, and more comfortable for residents. From Wytheville, to Fairfax, to Harrisonburg, to the eastern shore, these dollars are making a difference.”

Representatives with Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action spoke to the clear health benefits of staying in RGGI due to reductions in harmful power plant emissions – pollution that can lead to chronic respiratory illnesses and other negative health outcomes when left unchecked.

“In 2021, over 200 medical journals worldwide called for urgent action to slow climate change. Locally, a group of health professionals that I am part of–the Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action–recognizes the health problems that come with environmental degradation,” said Danny Walden, a fourth year medical student at VCU, who leads the local chapter of Medical Students for a Sustainable Future. “This growing chorus recognizes that many of us – Virginians included – are suffering from the health effects of climate change, and that RGGI is part of the solution.”

“We should be able to live in a world free of exposure to toxic agents and other hazardous environmental conditions but we know that is nearly impossible. However, we can do our part to minimize the pollutants that are around us,” added Dr. Vivienne Pierce McDaniel, President of the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association. “As a registered nurse it is incumbent on me to advocate for environmental health especially for those who reside in underserved at-risk populations where access to safe, quality care is lacking after developing conditions caused by environmental toxins.”

Speakers also included the next generation of Virginians who will be impacted most by climate change’s increasing severity.

“Leaving RGGI concerns me and it concerns my fellow classmates,” said Philip Ignatoff, a senior at the College of William and Mary, who leads his school’s Citizens’ Climate Lobby chapter and has helped drive public comments in support of staying in RGGI. “There’s clear consensus among my peers that Virginia needs a serious carbon reduction plan that’s good for Virginians and the environment.”

This event was held in partnership with the Virginia LCV Climate Action Team, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, Virginia Conservation Network, Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action, Environmental Defense Fund, Chesapeake Climate Action Network VA, Sierra Club VA, Wetlands Watch, Advanced Energy United, Virginia Energy Efficiency Council, Climate Cabinet Action, Climate Equity Working Group, and National Resource Defense Council.

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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