ROUNDUP: Court Rules in Favor of RGGI
The Circuit Court of Floyd County ruled that the regulatory action removing Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was “unlawful and without effect.”
ROUNDUP: Central Atlantic Auction Grows Offshore Wind Industry
Virginia's offshore wind energy industry continues to grow after the sale of a Central Atlantic lease 35 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to Dominion Energy.
New Laws: Safely Bicycling and Walking to School
On July 1st, all bills from the 2024 General Assembly session became law in Virginia, including one that streamlines the process for improving bus stops. This law allows local building officials to review and approve plans for bus shelters, benches, and sidewalks.
New Laws: SAVE Act Saving Energy and Money
The SAVE Act, which went into effect on July 1st, will strengthen energy efficiency savings targets that utilities are required to meet under the Virginia Clean Economy Act. These utility accountability measures will save Virginia residents money and power while working towards the state’s climate goals.
New Laws: Protecting Virginia’s Trees
The Forest Conservation Act went into effect July 1st, and it aims to evaluate the health of Virginia’s forests through comprehensive assessments, identifying threats, and strategies for tree preservation and restoration.
New Laws: Better Bus Stops to Increase Ridership
On July 1st, all bills from the 2024 General Assembly session became law in Virginia, including one that streamlines the process for improving bus stops. This law allows local building officials to review and approve plans for bus shelters, benches, and sidewalks.
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.