Welcome to VCN’s 2024 Common Agenda, representing the policy agenda of more than 160 organizations across the Commonwealth. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the conservation issues facing Virginia and provides practical, state-level policy solutions to keep us moving in the right direction.
As you read through this year’s Our Common Agenda, you’ll see a continued focus on meeting our goals to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and power the Commonwealth with 100% clean energy. In addition, you’ll learn about everything from increasing trail connectivity to ensuring community flood resilience to opportunities to increase rail capacity.
Our Common Agenda
CLEAN WATER & FLOOD RESILIENCE
- PREVENTING POLLUTED STORMWATER RUNOFF
- WORKING WITH FARMERS TO PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS
- Meeting Wastewater Upgrade Obligations
- Enforcing Water Quality Standards
- Reducing Plastics, Litter, & Marine Debris
- Stopping False Solutions & Plastic-to-Fuels
- Stopping PFAS Pollution at its Source
- Preventing Harms from Metals Mining
- Advancing Equitable Statewide Flood Planning
- Safeguarding Virginia’s Wetlands
LAND & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
- INVESTING IN VIRGINIA’S HERITAGE & FUTURE
- PRESERVING FARMLAND
- PROTECTING HISTORIC & CULTURAL RESOURCES
- Investing in Conservation & Outdoor Recreation
- Strengthening Park Funding
- Assessing Tree Canopy Loss
- Connecting Wildlife Habitats
- Ensuring Sustainable Fisheries
LAND USE & TRANSPORTATION
- EXPANDING RAIL
- MITIGATING DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT’S IMPACTS
- DEPLOYING UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR RESPONSIBLY
- Unleashing Sustainable Housing Growth
- ACCELERATING TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION
- MAKING BUILDINGS CLEANER & SAFER
- TRANSFORMING TRANSPORTATION
- MODERNIZING PUBLIC TRANSIT
- INCREASING ACCESS TO BICYCLING
- SAVING PEDESTRIAN LIVES
- ENSURING CONSISTENT SUPPORT FOR TRAILS
CLIMATE & ENERGY
- Achieving 100% Clean Energy
- Participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
- Cutting Energy Bills & Air Pollution with Energy Efficiency
- Powering Progress Through Rooftop Solar
- Expanding Access to Community Solar
- Maximizing Offshore Wind Generation
- Surging Energy Demand from Data Centers
- Managing Technologies Unproven At Scale
- PREVENTING PIPELINE HARMS
GOOD GOVERNANCE
- Shifting Utilities’ Incentives for Affordable, Clean Energy
- Ensuring Access to Essential Utilities
- Curbing Electric Utilities’ Political Influence
- Advancing Environmental Justice
- Supporting Virginia’s Education Workforce
- VIRGINIA CONSERVATION BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS