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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