For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org
RICHMOND – On Wednesday, April 17, lawmakers rejected Governor Youngkin’s amendments to Senate Bill 729, legislation to establish the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank in Virginia and take advantage of billions of dollars of potential investment to help drive our clean energy transition. Youngkin’s amendment would have required lawmakers to vote again on the issue in 2025, delaying our state’s ability to take advantage of what’s been termed the “sleeping giant” of clean energy investment, and giving other states a competitive advantage when it comes to securing these federal grants and loans.
In response to this decision, Michael Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:
“First, Governor Youngkin shot down a multi-million-dollar Ford electric vehicle battery plant. Then, he decided to let our tax dollars go to help other states drive their clean energy transition, along with the jobs and economic growth that come with it. Senators were right to reject Youngkin’s backwards amendment to this bill. We shouldn’t have to wait to bring clean energy dollars to Virginia. Doing so means missing out on an incredible opportunity to take advantage of federal programs and incentives that can help cut pollution and create clean energy jobs here in the Commonwealth. We sincerely hope our Governor does the right thing for our economy by signing this bill into law.”
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.
###