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.

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Aug. 21, 2020

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 2020 General Assembly Conservation Scorecard, which ranks all 140 members of the legislature based on their votes on key environmental legislation.

The full 2020 Scorecard can be viewed and downloaded here.

This year’s Scorecard covers what was by far the most productive legislative session for Virginia’s environment in the history of our Commonwealth. Thanks to the new “Conservation Majority” that came into power in 2020, legislative champions came to Richmond ready to tackle some of our greatest environmental threats after years of obstruction at the General Assembly. Virginia LCV supported more than 100 pieces of legislation in 2020, with the vast majority of these bills passing and becoming law.

“This year has been truly monumental for Virginia’s environment. Elections have consequences and, in this case, that means cleaner air and water in the Commonwealth,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “While we made incredible progress this year, 2020 has clearly demonstrated the huge challenges ahead of us, as we recover from a public health and economic crisis, while confronting the systemic racism that plagues our society. A clean environment only matters when it is accessible to and benefits all Virginians, and we are committed to doing our part to make this a reality.”

This year’s legislator scores take into account 25 votes in the House of Delegates and 22 votes in the Senate of Virginia. These run the gamut from passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, a blueprint to 100-percent clean electricity by mid-century, to bans on fracking and offshore drilling, efforts to clean and protect the Chesapeake Bay, and important environmental justice protections that help bring more equity into decision-making while protecting and empowering vulnerable communities.

Fifty-nine lawmakers, 10 Senators and 49 Delegates, scored a perfect 100-percent score in 2020, earning the designation of “Legislative Hero” for voting alongside Virginia LCV’s position on top conservation priorities every time this year.

2020 Legislative Heroes

Sen. John Bell
Sen. Jennifer Boysko
Sen. Creigh Deeds
Sen. Adam Ebbin
Sen. John Edwards
Sen. Janet Howell
Sen. Mamie Locke
Sen. Jennifer McClellan
Sen. Jeremy McPike
Sen. Scott Surovell

Del. Lashrecse Aird
Del. Alex Askew
Del. Hala Ayala
Del. Lamont Bagby
Del. Jeffrey Bourne
Del. David Bulova
Del. Betsy Carr
Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy
Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler
Del. Karrie Delaney
Del. Eileen Filler-Corn
Del. Wendy Gooditis
Del. Nancy Guy
Del. Elizabeth Guzman
Del. Cliff Hayes
Del. Dan Helmer
Del. Steve Heretick
Del. Charniele Herring
Del. Patrick Hope
Del. Sally Hudson
Del. Clinton Jenkins
Del. Jay Jones
Del. Mark Keam
Del. Kaye Kory
Del. Paul Krizek
Del. Mark Levine
Del. Joseph Lindsey
Del. Alfonso Lopez
Del. Delores McQuinn
Del. Martha Mugler
Del. Michael Mullin
Del. Kathleen Murphy
Del. Kenneth Plum
Del. Marcia Price
Del. David Reid
Del. Danica Roem
Del. Ibraheem Samirah
Del. Don Scott
Del. Mark Sickles
Del. Marcus 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 17 lawmakers, 11 Senators and six Delegates, earned scores between 75 and 99 percent in 2020, earning the designation of “Legislative Leader” for their prioritization of key conservation issues.

2020 Legislative Leaders

Sen. George Barker
Sen. Barbara Favola
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi
Sen. Lynwood Lewis
Sen. Louise Lucas
Sen. Dave Marsden
Sen. Monty Mason
Sen. Joe Morrissey
Sen. Chap Petersen
Sen. Dick Saslaw
Sen. Lionell Spruill

Del. Dawn Adams
Del. Lee Carter
Del. Joshua Cole
Del. Chris Hurst
Del. Sam Rasoul
Del. Roslyn Tyler

Virginia LCV also recognized nine lawmakers for their individual leadership this year on different environmental issues. These went to Senators Jennifer McClellan and Jill Vogel, and Delegates Lamont Bagby, Eileen Filler-Corn, Elizabeth Guzman, Jay Jones, Terry Kilgore, Suhas Subramanyam and Rip Sullivan.

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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Bipartisan effort permanently funds Land and Water Conservation Fund, addresses maintenance backlog at ailing parks

 

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, July 22, 2020 

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

 

RICHMOND – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act, a once-in-a-generation conservation package that fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund while also steering billions of dollars to fund needed repairs across our nation’s parks and public lands.

Early estimates predict passage of this legislation will lead to the creation of more than 10,000 jobs in the Commonwealth by addressing the $1.1 billion maintenance backlog at national parks in Virginia alone.

In response to today’s vote, Lee Francis, deputy director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“Investment in public lands and outdoors access is an investment in our health, our wellbeing, and our economy, and is coming at a time when we desperately need it. The Great American Outdoors Act will bring jobs and investment to Virginia to help us build a parks system we can be proud of and one that will help ensure increased access to the outdoors in communities across the Commonwealth. We are incredibly grateful for the leadership of Virginia’s congressional delegation, especially Senator Mark Warner, who has long been committed to protecting our parks system for future generations.”

 

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, July 14, 2020

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

RICHMOND – As the Virginia League of Conservation Voters observes its 20-year anniversary this year, the organization continues to grow and expand, even in these challenging times.

Virginia LCV’s Board of Directors has added two new members in 2020 – Rebecca Rubin and Leslie Cockburn – who will help the organization chart its course heading into 2021, a critical election year in Virginia, and beyond.

“Virginia LCV is honored to have two dynamic women join our board. Their strong advocacy, deep insights and commitment will help lead our organization to build a clean and equitable environment for all Virginians,” said Dana Krauskopf, chair of the Virginia LCV Board of Directors.

Cockburn, of Rappahannock County, is an award-winning investigative journalist, author, and filmmaker, and 2018 Democratic Candidate for Virginia’s 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Cockburn’s full biography is available here.

“I’m honored to join the Virginia LCV board, to help ensure that conservation is never an afterthought in the corridors of power,” said Cockburn.

Rubin, of Fredericksburg, is founder, president and CEO of Marstel Day, an international environmental consultancy. She is also a former member of the State Air Pollution Control Board. Rubin’s full biography is available here.

“I have been really impressed with the important work that Virginia LCV has done to help create a conservation majority in state government and am delighted to join their board in support of its critical mission,” said Rubin.

The Virginia LCV Board of Directors makes decisions that are essential to the organization’s future. These include serving as organizational ambassadors in their communities, developing the three-year strategic plan, approving the budget, and making crucial policy and candidate endorsement decisions. Members of the Virginia LCV Board of Directors are volunteers within the organization, serve at-will and are appointed to two-year terms.

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, June 9, 2020

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

 

RICHMOND – Today, Governor Northam appointed Jehmal Hudson to serve as the next judge on the Virginia State Corporation Commission – the first African American to hold a position on this regulatory body since its inception in 1902. Hudson comes to the post with particular expertise on energy issues, making him especially qualified to make decisions about our energy future and how to best regulate our state’s utilities – core duties of the SCC.

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

“As Virginia moves toward implementing a 100 percent clean energy mandate, it will be vital that the SCC helps guide this process in a way that protects both clean air and ratepayers. We also know that after years of powerful energy monopolies putting their thumb on the scale, Virginia’s overdue for needed reforms to ensure a fairer, more just regulatory structure in the Commonwealth – one that prioritizes Virginians over corporate profits. This is important, difficult work and we are glad Governor Northam has picked a judge with the breadth of experience and expertise to tackle these challenges head-on.”

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, March 12, 2020

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

 

RICHMOND – Virginia LCV today released the Virginia delegation’s scores from the League of Conservation Voters’ 2019 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard is the primary yardstick for evaluating the environmental records of every member of Congress, and is available for download here, in Spanish here, and online at scorecard.lcv.org.

“As the Trump administration continues to roll back environmental protections and actively put our health at risk, a clear majority of Virginia’s congressional delegation stood up for Virginia’s air, water, land, democracy and our coast,” said Virginia LCV’s Executive Director Michael Town. “We are proud to have representatives in Congress who will fight for our environment. And here in Virginia, where we just made unprecedented progress in the climate fight, passing a bold plan that gets to 100 percent clean energy by 2045, we will continue to build our clean energy future and secure cleaner air for all Virginians.”

The 2019 Scorecard measures votes cast during the first session of the 116th Congress. In Virginia, seven House members and both Senators earned a score of 80 percent or greater. The average House score for Virginia was 64 percent and the average Senate score was a perfect 100 percent. The full delegation’s scores for 2019 are:

United States Senate

Name	Party	2019 Score	Lifetime Score
Tim Kaine	D	100	95
Mark Warner	D	100	88

 

United States House of Representatives

Name	Party	District	2019 Score	Lifetime Score
Rob Wittman	R	1	3	10
Elaine Luria	D	2	97	97
Bobby Scott	D	3	97	91
Don McEachin	D	4	100	90
Denver Riggleman	R	5	17	17
Ben Cline	R	6	0	0
Abigail Spanberger	D	7	97	97
Don Beyer	D	8	97	96
Morgan Griffith	R	9	7	5
Jennifer Wexton	D	10	97	97
Gerry Connolly	D	11	97	97

 

“We are grateful to Speaker Pelosi and her pro-environment majority for prioritizing climate action and protections of our air, water, lands, wildlife, and democracy,” said LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “While pro-environment leaders supported policies that will protect communities across the country, especially low-income communities and communities of color, from the negative impacts of climate change-fueled extreme heat, natural disasters, and toxic pollution last year, Senate Majority Leader McConnell’s refusal to act on hundreds of important House-passed bills put the health of our children and families at risk for the benefit of his corporate polluter friends.”

The 2019 Scorecard includes 29 House votes on climate related bills, protections for our air, water, lands, and wildlife, and pro-democracy legislation. In the Senate, for the third year in a row, the majority of the 14 scored votes are confirmation votes on Trump’s anti-environmental nominees.

LCV has published a National Environmental Scorecard every Congress since 1970. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from about 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, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, 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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Virginia Clean Economy Act clears Senate, paves the way for 100% clean energy

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, March 5, 2020

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

 

RICHMOND – As the 2020 General Assembly nears its end, the legislature has passed a number of impactful bills to safeguard vulnerable communities and Virginians’ health from environmental threats.

From the water that comes out of our taps at home to the air that our children breathe when they’re at school, lawmakers have taken important strides forward in 2020 to ensure that all Virginians are better protected from toxic threats to our health and our environment.

“The work towards creating a permanent environment justice council has helped ensure a forum for communities of color and low-income residents have a place to discuss their concerns in an impactful way,” said Danielle Simms, interim political director for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “While we need to continue to ensure that a diversity of voices have a seat at the table in decision-making processes, this has helped highlight injustices such as mold, lead contamination in water, legionella in schools, lead contamination in water at daycares, medical monitoring for private well owners near coal ash ponds in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and a study of PFAS in water sources. Luckily, this session major progress was made to find solutions to these environmental health and justice concerns.”

Among the important environmental justice and health provisions that have passed are the following:

• House Bill 586 from Del. Elizabeth Guzman to study the prevalence of “forever chemicals” in our drinking water supply and to establish appropriate regulations.
• House Bill 797, House Bill 1342, and Senate Bill 392 from Del. Alex Askew and Sen. Jeremy McPike to protect us from lead in our homes and public schools (additional legislation, House Bill 799 and Senate Bill 793, which addresses lead in daycare facilities, is in conference).
• House Bill 1042 and Senate Bill 883 from Del. Charniele Herring and Sen. Mamie Locke establishing by statute the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice.
• House Bill 1641 and House Bill 1642 from Del. Hala Ayala to safeguard drinking water for residents who live near coal ash sites.
• Senate Bill 410, from Sen. Ghazala Hashmi to address legionella bacteria in public schools.
•  Senate Bill 845 from Sen. Adam Ebbin to address the presence of mold in our public schools.

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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