For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018
Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org
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.”
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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