Updates on VCN Priorities
VCN endorses the Virginia Clean Economy Act (HB1526/SB851). The VCEA moves the Commonwealth to a 100% carbon-free electricity grid and eliminates pollution from utilities by 2050. The bill takes the following four steps to get us there: using energy efficiency to lower bills and reduce energy demand, enacting a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to make our grid 100% carbon-free, distributing clean power generation through rooftop and shared solar, and eliminating utility pollution throughout the Commonwealth. Our own Kristie Smith has a fantastic interview with Energy News where she lays out the finer points of the bills.
Commonwealth Corridor Increases Commuter Choices (SJ50/HJ55). Rail ridership in Virginia has increased significantly over the past decade, however, rail travel within the Commonwealth is limited by the lack of east-west routes. These joint resolutions call for a study of the feasibility of the proposed Commonwealth Corridor passenger rail service, which would connect Hampton Roads, Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and the New River Valley. This study bill is based on the Commonwealth Corridor report released by Virginian’s for High Speed Rail and Southern Environmental Law Center this fall.
Keeping man-made chemicals out of the environment and our bodies (HB586). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (say that three times fast) are man-made chemicals that are estimated to exist in at least 90% of people in the United States. You can find them in certain shampoos, paints, food packaging, firefighting foam, and non-stick pans. Exposure to PFAS is a growing public health concern nationwide. Due to a lack of federal action to regulate these toxic substances, Virginia needs to act. This bill will allow VA to get baseline data on the occurrence of PFAS in drinking water to better understand the risk these chemicals pose to Virginia communities. For a particularly dire look at these chemicals, check out Dark Waters. Thanks to VALCV and JRA for their leadership on this issue.
ACTION: SUPPORT HB586.
Keeping Dominion’s financial influence out of the legislature (SB25/HB111). Utility public service corporations (like Dominion Energy) are natural monopolies that are often regulated directly by the General Assembly. One particular utility public service corporation (ironically, rhymes with Virginian) is the largest corporate contributor to members of the General Assembly. Captured ratepayers and customers are forced to subsidize this political activity, which is often not in their best interest. These bills seek to ban campaign contributions from public service corporations. And in case you’re wondering, twenty eight states have already banned these types of contribution. The bills will be heard next week.
Bill Positions
Virginia Conservation Network publishes bill positions every week. These positions have been voted on by our Legislative Committee, comprised of leading environmental organizations in the state, and our board of directors. They are intended to reflect the positions of the broader conservation community and are updated every Friday.
To view this table online with talking points, visit vcnva.org/bill-tracker.