For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021

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

RICHMOND – Today, after months of negotiations, President Biden announced a compromise Build Back Better framework that contains a record $555 billion investment in clean energy and climate action – the largest in our nation’s history that, if passed by Congress, will put us on a pathway to cutting carbon pollution in half by 2030.

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

“Congress is close to delivering on the strong climate action that Virginians deserve, efforts that will build on the incredible progress we’ve made in Virginia over the past two years, helping us further grow a clean energy economy all while securing cleaner air and a healthier future for all of us who call the Commonwealth home. We are at a critical moment, and it’s time for Congress to finish the job on what, if passed, will be our nation’s most significant effort to-date to address climate change.”

Background: 
On top of a number of investments that will help families, boost the middle class, and improve the lives of Virginians and people across the America, the framework announced today contains these specific clean energy and climate action investments:

• Clean Energy Tax Credits ($320 billion): Ten-year expanded tax credits for utility-scale and  residential clean energy, transmission and storage, clean passenger and commercial vehicles, and  clean energy manufacturing.

• Resilience Investments ($105 billion): Investments and incentives to address extreme weather  (wildfires, droughts, and hurricanes, including in forestry, wetlands, and agriculture), legacy  pollution in communities, and a Civilian Climate Corps.

• Investments and Incentives for Clean Energy Technology, Manufacturing, and Supply  Chains ($110 billion): Targeted incentives to spur new domestic supply chains and technologies, like solar, batteries, and advanced materials, while boosting the competitiveness of  existing industries, like steel, cement, and aluminum.

• Clean Energy procurement ($20 billion): Provide incentives for government to be a purchaser of next-generation technologies, including long-duration storage, small modular reactors, and clean  construction materials.

• Advance Environmental Justice: A new Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator that will invest in projects around the country, while delivering 40% of the benefits of investment to disadvantaged communities, as part of the President’s Justice40 initiative.

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, Sept. 16, 2021

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

RICHMOND – Today, Virginia LCV learned of the passing of W. Tayloe Murphy, a former Delegate and Secretary of Natural Resources whose immense dedication to the Chesapeake Bay and protecting our environment helped shape policy-making for years and will always be remembered.

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

“Virginia LCV was truly saddened to hear of the passing of Secretary Murphy. He was a champion for the Chesapeake Bay and protecting Virginia’s natural resources, and our environment is cleaner today because of his dedication. Tayloe Murphy will be sorely missed and we send his family our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.”

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, May 18, 2021

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

RICHMOND – Nearly eight in 10 registered voters in Virginia support President Biden’s proposed American Jobs Plan, according to a new poll conducted by the League of Conservation Voters and Data for Progress.

The 79 percent overall approval rating found in Virginia, with strong support measured in all 11 congressional districts, underscores national polling that showed broad, bipartisan support in every state for the investments the American Jobs Plan would make in climate, clean energy, good-paying union jobs and justice.

LCV and Data for Progress conducted the national poll and modeled support for every congressional district in the state. More information about the poll and methodology is available here.

“With support for strong climate action at the highest it’s ever been – and with the impacts of the climate crisis only growing worse – it’s time for Congress to take the decisive action we need and that Virginians deserve by passing the American Jobs Plan,” said Lee Francis, Deputy Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “This plan will grow our economy, expand clean energy, and lift up the communities that need it most. And we don’t have any time to waste.”

In addition to finding broad, overall support for the American Jobs Plan in Virginia, the poll also models that among registered voters in Virginia:

• 81 percent support investing in clean energy infrastructure
• 85 percent support investments in clean drinking water infrastructure
• 77 percent support clean energy tax credits
• 72 percent support the investments in environmental justice protections outlined in the AJP
• 71 percent believe clean energy jobs will grow the economy
• 82 percent believe climate change is real
• 78 percent think it’s important for Congress to take action to address climate change

Support for the AJP and the above provisions remained strong across Blue and Red Congressional districts in Virginia and in vastly different parts of the state, demonstrating the plan’s broad appeal with voters in urban and suburban districts as well as more conservative, rural areas.

Overall support  for the AJP and identified investments in climate action, clean energy, clean water and environmental justice ranged from 61 percent in Virginia’s 9th Congressional District in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia to nearly 90 percent in the Washington D.C. suburbs of the 8th Congressional District.

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 6, 2021

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

RICHMOND – Today, the Biden Administration issued a report entitled “Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful,” which outlines a voluntary nationwide conservation goal to protect 30 percent of our lands and waters by the end of the decade, action that will help restore and protect sensitive ecosystems, address the climate crisis, and ensure equitable access to parks and outdoors spaces in communities that need them here in Virginia and across the nation.

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

“Every 30 seconds in America, we lose the equivalent of a football field of natural space to development. This pace of deforestation is unsustainable, and it isn’t just a threat to our forests and open spaces – the water we drink, the air we breathe, and our health and climate are also at risk.  We also know that not everyone has the same access to parks and the outdoors in their community, which is why it’s so vital that as we work toward conserving more open space, we’re also addressing these inequities. What the Biden Administration rolled out today is a huge step forward for conservation, our climate, and our health, and we look forward to working here in Virginia to preserve more lands for more 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:
Tuesday, March 23, 2021

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

Measure will eliminate single-use plastics at state agencies, universities

LEXINGTON – Today, Governor Northam unveiled Executive Order 77, which instructs Executive Branch state agencies and higher education institutions to eliminate use of single-use plastics within 120 days and phases out all non-medical single-use plastics across state government by the end of 2025. Further, the measure aims to reduce overall solid waste from state agencies by enhancing programs like composting, beneficial reuse, and recycling, and requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to issue a report outlining long-term options and legislative recommendations.

This measure puts Virginia at the forefront of states working to cut harmful plastic pollution, and builds on measures already passed by the General Assembly to reduce our consumption of single-use plastics.

In response to today’s vote, Chris Leyen, Senior Policy Manager for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“Plastic waste from items we use once and throw away is clogging our streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, where it is a threat to marine life and an entire ecosystem. In issuing this Executive Order, Governor Northam is leading by example as we work to cut harmful plastic pollution and bolster more sustainable waste management options. More work is clearly ahead of us to tackle this issue while ensuring we’re also protecting the communities already burdened with how we manage our solid waste, and Virginia LCV is committed to working with impacted communities and lawmakers to develop policies that will secure the long-term protections we need to safeguard clean water and our environment.”

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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Legislation will make electric vehicles easier to buy, own and drive

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Feb. 19, 2021

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

RICHMOND – Today, the Senate of Virginia voted to pass House Bill 1965 from Del. Lamont Bagby (D-Richmond), which will implement zero-emission and low-emission vehicle standards in Virginia.

This legislation, paired with other efforts advanced by the Senate today that provide upfront consumer rebates (House Bill 1979 from Del. David Reid) and expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure (House Bill 2282 from Del. Rip Sullivan) means that pollution-free EVs will be easier to buy, drive and own in Virginia, helping us address our largest source of harmful carbon emissions – the gas and diesel passenger cars we drive every day.

While both HB 1965 and HB 1979 cleared major hurdles today, lawmakers have more work before them to finalize this legislation and get it to Governor Northam’s desk.

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

“In 2020, and now 2021, Virginia’s General Assembly has taken leaps and bounds forward in tackling the climate crisis, first by working to secure our transition away from fossil fuels to power our daily lives, and now by moving to reduce harmful tailpipe pollution by putting cleaner cars on the road. We are not across the finish line yet, but we’re close. We thank Delegates Bagby, Reid and Sullivan for their leadership, and urge lawmakers to finalize this huge victory for clean air, climate action, and a more 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.

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Feb. 5, 2021

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

RICHMOND – Today, the House of Delegates voted to pass House Bill 1979 a bill to provide upfront rebates for electric vehicles to qualifying customers, completing passage of a suite of legislation that will increase availability electric vehicles in Virginia (House Bill 1965), and expand vehicle charging infrastructure (House Bill 2282). These measures now advance to the Senate where they will need to pass in order to proceed to Governor Northam’s desk. 

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

“Virginia is well on its way to taking serious action to address our largest source of climate pollution – the cars we drive every day. By advancing this suite of legislation, pollution-free cars will be easier to buy, own and drive, and Virginians will be able breathe cleaner air. We are grateful for the leadership of our colleagues in the House and urge the Senate to waste no time getting these bills across the finish line and to the Governor’s desk.” 

Background: Carbon emissions from the transportations sector account for nearly half of Virginia’s total carbon output, making it by far the largest contributor to climate change in the Commonwealth. The bulk of this pollution comes from passenger vehicles  – the cars, light-duty trucks and SUVs that we drive on a daily basis. This pollution is also fatal – killing nearly the same number of people that die in car accidents every year – and disproportionately impacts low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. 

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. 27, 2021

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

RICHMOND – Today, the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources advanced House Bill 1965 from Del. Lamont Bagby (D-Richmond), to implement zero-emission and low-emission vehicle standards in Virginia.

Once adopted, these standards will ensure that more pollution-free electric vehicles are available for sale in Virginia as a way to address carbon pollution from the Commonwealth’s largest source – tailpipes.

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

“We can’t address the climate crisis without addressing our largest source of pollution – transportation. This legislation, paired with other measures to invest in vehicle charging infrastructure and make these vehicles more affordable on the front end, will help protect clean air and public health in the long-term while ensuring a more sustainable transportation system. We are thankful for the leadership of Delegate Bagby on this bill and applaud the House Committee for advancing this important measure. We are now counting on the full House to follow suit.”

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, Jan. 27, 2021

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

RICHMOND – Today, President Biden signed sweeping Executive Orders to protect our environment, act to address climate change, grow a clean energy economy, and advance environmental justice. These actions come just one week into Biden’s presidency, demonstrating his clear support of regaining America’s standing as a leader on climate action and clean energy and his commitment to protecting our environment and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

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

“After four years of devastating and destructive environmental rollbacks, it’s clear that President Biden is using the full power of his office to put our nation back on track to meet our climate action obligations and safeguard clean air and water. While Virginia has done its part since 2016 to ward off attacks on our environment and become a leader on climate at the state level, it’s refreshing to again have a federal partner. With so much progress in just his first seven days in office, we look forward to what the next four years have in store for our environment.”

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.