RICHMOND – Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor advanced a measure (Senate Bill 807) that extends the current moratorium on coal ash closure for another year, solicits a request for proposals for a coal ash recycling facility, and orders a legislative study to determine best steps moving forward.
In response to today’s vote, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:
“Today’s outcome was a step in the right direction for clean water in Virginia, but obviously more work remains to be done to secure a final outcome that fully protects citizens’ drinking water from toxic coal ash. We don’t get a second chance to close these facilities, and it’s important we do it the right way the first time. I am optimistic that we can get this done in a way that secures our long-term safety and keeps the millions of tons of toxic coal ash currently lining riverbanks in Virginia from putting us further in harm’s way.”