CONSERVATION NEWS ACROSS VIRGINIA
Bill of the Day: Clean Car Standards
During this session of the General Assembly, Virginia has its best opportunity in years to advance transportation electrification through Clean Car Standards (HB1965) which will expand consumer car choice, keep automobile jobs in Virginia, reduce air pollution from transportation emissions, and improve human health.
Bill of the Day: Electric Utility Rate Reform
Electric utility rate reform legislation will protect consumers and restore oversight authority to regulators. Without, Virginians will lose out on refunds for the $500 million in overcharges by Dominion Energy since 2017 and regulators may not be able to lower over-charged electric bills.
More than 220 Advocates Meet with Legislators for 2021 (virtual) Conservation Lobby Day
On Thursday, January 21, more than 220 conservation advocates met with legislators for Virginia Conservation Network's first virtual Conservation Lobby Day. Advocates completed more than 50 meetings over Zoom, lobbying their state representatives on legislation including the Clean Car Standards, reforming utility regulation, increasing the state's conservation budget, and a variety of additional goals for the conservation community. The virtual event began with a charge from conservationists including delegates Gooditis, McQuin and Subramanyam, senators Hashmi and Marseden, and Trieste Lockwood [...]
Bill of the Day: Conservation Easements
Support conservation easement bills: HB1760 and SB1199
2020 was a Big Year for Conservation
2020 was a Big Year for Conservation We have to admit that 2020 was not the year we envisioned - a global pandemic, national protests over racial inequality, and an adjustment to a virtual world. While 2020 looked different than we expected, we can’t help reflect on the year This year, VCN and our 150 Network Partners pushed a unified agenda, gaining historic improvements to Virginia’s environmental policy. We passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act, securing a [...]
Governor’s Budget
On Wednesday, Governor Northam released his proposed 2021 amendments to the biennial 2020-2022 budget. The amendments are patroned by Delegate Torian in the house under HB 1800 and Senator Howell under SB 1100. Here's the scoop on what the proposed amendments mean for Virginia's natural resources and landscape: Meeting Chesapeake Bay Goals Since 2010, the states located in the footprint of the Chesapeake Bay have embarked on a 15-year clean-up plan to reduce the amount of pollution in the estuary. Virginia [...]