RICHMOND – Today, Governor McAuliffe amended Senate Bill 1398 to address shortcomings in the legislation that would have allowed Dominion Power to obtain permits to close coal ash storage facilities prior to disclosing pertinent information to state agencies regarding ongoing pollution issues, suitability for long-term storage, and options for closure.
Under the amended bill, the earliest Dominion could obtain a permit is May 2018, which provides enough time to fully evaluate these sites and to choose the best path forward for closing these facilities and protecting water quality from toxic heavy metals in the process.
In response to today’s action, Michael Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:
“Today, Governor McAuliffe stood up for the people of the Commonwealth by ensuring cleaner water, but the General Assembly still has to act. Without this amendment, Virginians could have to deal with the fallout from band-aid solutions to a very real, very dangerous environmental threat. On April 5, we urge the full General Assembly to do the right thing for their constituents. Dominion Power should not be allowed to play Russian roulette with our water quality, and I hope between now and May 2018, they focus their energy on evaluating coal ash sites instead of lobbying against clean water protections that keep communities safe.”
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About Virginia LCV: 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.