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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For Immediate Release:
Friday, March 10, 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 Board of Directors endorsed Delegate Lamont Bagby’s bid to fill the Senate District 9 vacancy left by Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan.

For his time in office, Bagby holds a nearly perfect 99 percent voting record from Virginia LCV. He has been named a “Legislative Hero” multiple times for earning a perfect 100 percent score in our annual Conservation Scorecard, and was given a special “Legislative Leadership Award” in 2020 for introducing and leading to final passage our state’s Advanced Clean Cars Standard, which addresses tailpipe emissions, our state’s largest driver of climate change.

“Throughout his time at the General Assembly, Lamont Bagby has put clean air, clean water and a safe and healthy environment first,” said Michael Town, executive director of Virginia LCV. “We gladly endorse his campaign to be the 9th District’s next Senator and look forward to continuing to work with him to stand up against Governor Youngkin’s reckless attacks on climate action and to continue making progress on the environmental priorities that impact the 9th District and our Commonwealth as a whole.”

“Throughout my time in office, Virginia LCV has been a trusted ally at the legislature on a number of environmental issues, and I truly value their endorsement for State Senate,” said Del. Bagby. “Governor Youngkin has made it clear that he wants to take us backwards on a host of issues including our clean energy future. As the 9th District’s next senator, and with the help of Virginia LCV, I won’t let that happen. I look forward to continuing to make progress creating clean energy jobs and economic opportunities, and addressing our most pressing environmental threats.”

The special election for this seat will be held on March 28 and early voting is already in progress.

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, March 1, 2023

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

 

Scorecard recognizes legacy of late environmental champion Don McEachin

RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters released the Virginia Congressional delegation’s scores from the League of Conservation Voters’ 2022 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard is the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of members of Congress since 1970 and is available for download here, in Spanish here, and online in both languages at scorecard.lcv.org. 

2022 was the best year ever for climate action in Congress with the passage of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that invests roughly $369 billion in advancing clean energy, creating good jobs, and fighting climate change and environmental injustice. This clean energy plan was finalized against a backdrop of devastating and costly climate-fueled extreme weather and oil and gas companies’ exploitation of Putin’s unlawful war on Ukraine. Every Democrat in our state’s delegation came together to make the country’s first transformational climate law a reality. Unfortunately, not a single Republican voted for this popular, affordable clean energy plan.

In stark contrast to previous sessions, 2022 was an exceptionally productive year for Congress. With the pro-environment-led House and Senate, Congress showed up and seized the opportunity to pass historic climate and clean energy policy.

“This past year was absolutely monumental for climate action as Congress passed the most ambitious measure in our nation’s history to address climate change and secure a clean energy future. But 2022 was also bittersweet, as Virginia lost one of its foremost leaders on environmental protection in Don McEachin, whose dedication to climate action and environmental justice has left behind a strong legacy that I hope all Virginia lawmakers recognize and honor in their votes and actions,” said Michael Town, Executive Director of Virginia LCV. “This past year also saw us working here at the state level to defeat the extreme attacks on climate led by Governor Glenn Youngkin – attacks that threaten our clean energy future here in Virginia but that also raised the stakes for strong, comprehensive federal action to expand clean energy and cut harmful pollution. As we continue to hold this Governor accountable, we will also urge Virginia’s delegation to continue prioritizing the necessary federal environmental protections we need to ensure a liveable future.”

The 2022 Scorecard includes 23 votes in the Senate and 19 votes in the House, with the vote on the Inflation Reduction Act counting twice in both chambers. The full delegation’s scores for 2022 are as follows:

U.S. Senate 

Member	Party	2022 Score	Career Score
Tim Kaine	D	100%	97%
Mark Warner	D	96%	91%

U.S. House of Representatives

Member	District	Party	2022 Score	Career Score
Rob Wittman	VA-1	R	5%	10%
Elaine Luria	VA-2	D	95%	97%
Bobby Scott	VA-3	D	100%	92%
Don McEachin	VA-4	D	100%	93%
Bob Good	VA-5	R	0%	0%
Ben Cline	VA-6	R	0%	1%
Abigail Spanberger	VA-7	D	89%	95%
Don Beyer	VA-8	D	95%	97%
Morgan Griffith	VA-9	R	0%	6%
Jennifer Wexton	VA-10	D	100%	99%
Gerry Connolly	VA-11	D	100%	97%

“What a year of historic progress! In 2022, pro-environment majorities in the House and Senate showed the world what’s possible when leaders are committed to delivering the action on climate, clean energy, jobs and justice voters demand,” said LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “In a year that saw more suffering from the climate crisis and more pain at the pump as oil and gas companies raised energy costs, environmental champions in Congress took transformative climate action to begin to insulate the U.S. from volatile fossil fuel prices and build an affordable clean energy future. This year, we are all in to support the swift, effective, and equitable implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, work with Virginia’s champions in Congress to continue to fight for popular action on climate and environmental justice and block attempts to roll back environmental safeguards,  and support the Biden-Harris administration’s finalization of critical health and climate protections across the agencies.”

The extreme storms and temperatures, and catastrophic floods that continue to affect our communities this year 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.

As such, the 2022 Scorecard includes dozens of votes on impactful climate and environmental bills, as well as a number of votes in both chambers on legislation that would strengthen democracy including the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the DISCLOSE Act. To safeguard equity, LCV’s 2022 Scorecard included votes in both chambers to protect same-sex and interracial marriages as well as reproductive rights.

For the first time this year, the Scorecard includes a new section highlighting the high-scoring leadership of the Tri-Caucus. Leadership of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) scored an average 98% on the 2022 Scorecard and were instrumental to passing bold, pro-environment legislation, championed strong pro-democracy policies, and worked to address environmental injustice.

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 help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. More information on individual votes and the Scorecard archive can be found at scorecard.lcv.org.

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, Feb. 20, 2023

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

Senate successfully wards off major climate attacks during ‘23 session

RICHMOND – Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor voted to reject multiple attacks (House Bill 1430, House Bill 2130, and House Bill 2197) on the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) – efforts that would have undermined our clean energy future, maintained our reliance on harmful fossil fuels, increased consumer costs, and delayed climate action. The VCEA, passed in 2020, is our state’s blueprint to reach 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050 by advancing renewable energy and phasing out harmful fossil fuels in our energy mix.

With today’s votes in Committee, Democratic Senators have soundly defeated each direct attack on a major climate action priority, including our Clean Cars Standard, membership in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and the VCEA.

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

“Democrats in the Senate are standing up for our clean air, our clean energy future, and our economy, while Governor Youngkin and his allies continue to want to take Virginia backwards and play games with how we power our daily lives. Our work is not yet done defending our progress at the General Assembly – there are still a handful of issues we need to iron out – but we are grateful for the Senators’ leadership today in defending our climate progress and defeating these shortsighted attacks.”

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

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For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023

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

RICHMOND – Today, the last of multiple attempts to repeal Virginia’s Advanced Clean Cars Standard was defeated in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, meaning Virginia will stay the course on cutting tailpipe pollution and bringing clean, in-demand electric vehicles to our state.

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

“While Governor Youngkin and his allies are busy attacking climate action and driving clean transportation jobs away to other states, Senate Democrats are standing up for our clean air, working to cut harmful tailpipe emissions, and bringing in-demand electric vehicles and economic investment to the Commonwealth. We are grateful that our champions in the Senate defeated these shortsighted attacks – efforts that will help us meet our climate goals while ensuring that Virginia continues to be seen as a leader in tackling harmful pollution.”

 

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

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For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023

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

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources voted 8-6-1 to reject Senate Bill 1001, a bill to repeal Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and eliminate dedicated funding to help communities address flooding and assist Virginians in need with lowering energy costs, while also rolling back one of our state’s best tools to cut harmful power plant pollution.

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

“Virginia’s membership in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has brought hundreds of millions of dollars to our state to help improve Virginians’ lives with programs that keep communities safe from flooding and cut energy costs – all while giving us cleaner air in the process. We are grateful to our champions in the Senate for doing the right thing for Virginians and climate action by rejecting this misguided repeal effort, but also know our work isn’t over – we have to continue to defend this program from the Youngkin Administration’s ongoing attacks as they seek to override the legislative process and put polluters ahead of what’s best for 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.

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For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023

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

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources voted 8-7 to reject multiple legislative attacks on our state’s Clean Cars Standard. Lawmakers passed and signed into law the original measure in 2021 as a way to address our state’s largest source of carbon pollution – the gas and diesel-fired light-duty cars, trucks and SUVs that Virginians drive every day.

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

“Today, lawmakers rightly rejected attacks on our state’s climate progress by defeating multiple Governor Youngkin-led efforts to repeal Virginia’s Clean Cars Standard, which over time will lead to cleaner air and improved health outcomes for all Virginians while bringing in-demand clean electric vehicles and investment to our state. Virginians shouldn’t have to choose between breathing clean air and getting from ‘Point A’ to ‘Point B’ – Virginia’s Clean Cars Standard ensures that they don’t have to and reflects exactly where the automotive industry is already headed. We urge our champions in the Senate to continue rejecting Governor Youngkin’s regressive attacks on climate progress and doing the right thing for clean air and a sustainable 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:
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

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

 

RICHMOND – Tonight, Governor Youngkin presented his “State of the Commonwealth” speech, which significantly mischaracterizes Virginia’s climate action policies and overlooks the impact his Administration’s anti-environmental policies are having on Virginians’ health, our economy, and our ability to protect communities from harmful climate change.

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

“Don’t let Governor Youngkin’s rhetoric about an all-of-the-above energy policy that will provide affordable, reliable, and ‘one of these days’ clean energy fool you – this Administration is doing everything it can to undermine Virginia’s clean energy future, the jobs that come with it, and our goals to address climate change and secure a healthy environment for all Virginians. With this Administration continuing to work to unravel the progress we’ve made cutting pollution and advancing a clean energy economy, we will be working with our champions in the Senate to block his reckless attacks and secure the sustainable future that Virginians deserve.”

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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