New Laws: Making Shared Solar More Equitable
On July 1st, two new laws will go into effect that expand shared solar programs in Virginia. These laws will increase access to Virginians to participate in the clean energy transition.
New Laws: Single Staircases Encourage Sustainable Housing
On July 1st, all bills from the 2024 General Assembly session became law in Virginia. One new law directs the Building Codes Commission to conduct a study on allowing single staircases for residential buildings up to six stories instead of three.
New Laws: Reducing Toxic Threats to Our Water and Health
Starting July 1st, most bills from the 2024 General Assembly session became law in Virginia, including bans on high PAHs in pavement sealants and cyanide in gold mining. These laws aim to cut toxic pollution in Virginia's waters and protecting human and ecological health.
New Laws: Protecting Customers from Utility Shutoffs
The Emergency Utilities Protection Act went into effect July 1st, and it prevents utilities from cutting off customers on days of extreme weather, or other situations that warrant high usage. These protections address the ever growing threat of climate change’s consequences in a just manner that brings Virginia up to speed with the rest of the South.
Offshore Wind Propels Virginia’s Workforce Through Cable Manufacturing Facility
Virginia’s offshore wind energy industry continues to build the Commonwealth’s reputation (and economy) as the leader of one of the fastest-growing clean energy sectors in the world with the announcement of a supporting cable manufacturing facility in the City of Chesapeake.
Article: Whales Are Dying but Not from Offshore Wind
Scientific American published an article debunking the myth that offshore wind projects are responsible for killing whales, instead identifying ship strikes and rising ocean temperatures as the real causes.
CCWC Member Highlight: Southside ReLeaf
For Choose Clean Water Coalition's Member Highlight, Pat Calvert, VCN's Director of Clean Water & Land Conservation Programs, recently interviewed Amy Wentz and Sheri Shannon, co-founders of Southside ReLeaf, about their organization, current projects, and more.
Chesterfield Gas Plant Health Impacts Fact Sheet
SELC has released an updated health impacts factsheet on Dominion's proposed 1,000-megawatt gas plant. The update includes a new map indicating both potential sites and revised pollutant data, emphasizing that the gas plant will generate more pollution than the existing coal plant.
Transportation Equity Dashboard
TransitCenter recently updated their Transportation Equity Dashboard, a tool which tracks how well transit connects people to opportunities in the seven regions with the largest transit systems, including Washington, D.C..