This has been a big week for conservation in the Virginia General Assembly. Bills on coal ash, fracking, and renewable energy were all up, in addition to a bill on redistricting reform. Virginia Conservation Network took positions on three new bills and eight new budget items. As we approach crossover next week, it’s critical that Virginia’s conservation community is putting as much pressure on legislators as possible to continue pushing good bills forward and to kill the bills that threaten our health, communities, and natural resources.
General Assembly Updates
Bill to Strengthen Coal Ash Pond Closure Requirements Passes Committee
We’re happy to report that on Thursday, February 2nd, SB1398 reported out of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee with a 9-5 vote. This bill states that before any draft permit is issued for the closure of any electric utility-owned coal ash impoundment, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Conservation and Recreation are to receive an assessment of closure options available to the owner or operator of such impoundment. This bill would give our agencies the tool they need to make the best choice for the environment during coal ash closure.
A big shoutout and thank you goes to Senator Surovell for carrying this important bill! All clean water supporters should give him a call (804-698-7536) or send him an email (district36@senate.virginia.gov) to thank him for his support of long-term solutions for coal ash in Virginia.
The following committee members voted in favor of SB1398 — if you are a constituent of one of these nine Senators, please also thank them for their support:
Senator Stuart: (804) 698-7528 / district28@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Petersen: (804) 698-7534 / district34@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Marsden: (804) 698-7537 / district37@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Stanley: (804) 698-7520 / district20@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ebbin: (804) 698-7530 / district30@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Lewis: (804) 698-7506 / district06@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Dance: (804) 698-7516 / district16@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Mason: (804) 698-7501 / district01@senate.virginia.gov
Senator McClellan: (804) 698-7509 / district09@senate.virginia.gov
Senate Bills To Exempt Oil & Gas Industry From Reporting Chemicals Used Die
On Thursday, February 2nd, two of the four bills that would exempt fracking chemicals from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) were killed in the Senate Finance Committee in a 8-8 tie vote: SB1291 and SB1292. The following individuals rightly voted against the bills (and in favor of transparency):
Senator Hanger: (804) 698-7524 / district24@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Stuart: (804) 698-7528 / district28@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Norment: (804) 698-7503 / district03@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Howell: (804) 698-7532 / district32@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Saslaw: (804) 698-7535 / district35@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Lucas: (804) 698-7518 / district18@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Barker: (804) 698-7539 / district39@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Dance: (804) 698-7516 / district16@senate.virginia.gov
The House versions of the bills will be crossing over to the Senate, so the Senators will need to vote a second time on these exact same bills. They need to hear from constituents and organizations that they did the right thing! If you are a constituent of one of the eight Senators listed above, please call and thank them for their NO vote last night on the Fracking FOIA bills.
Community Solar Bill Moving Forward; Other Renewable Energy Bills Killed
On Monday, January 30th, the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee voted to send SB1393 — a VCN-supported bill which will expand access to solar power in Virginia — to the Senate floor. We are excited to announce that today, Friday, February 3rd, this bill unanimously passed the Senate. Please call your Senator today and thank them for their support of SB1393! If you don’t know who your Senator is, you can find out by clicking here.
Background On Community Solar (SB1393)
Across the Commonwealth, many individuals and families are expressing an interest in local, clean power sources. However, not all Virginians are able to install a solar system at their homes for various reasons (cost, physical characteristics of their property, renting a home, etc.). These barriers prevent a large segment of Virginians from taking advantage of solar energy.
Community solar is a solution to this problem. By developing a solar energy project that serves a number of households or businesses, community solar projects reduce the price of renewable energy for participating customers. These solar projects are normally located close to the communities they serve, allowing Virginians access to the benefits of solar even if they are unable to install solar systems on their own homes. A good example of this concept would be a church with a solar installation dispatching clean energy to its congregants.
Redistricting Reform Bill Dies With No Vote
On Monday, January 30th, four Delegates on the House Constitutional Subcommittee voted to table all redistricting reform bills in the House. Delegate Randy Minchew, Delegate Mark Cole, Delegate Tim Hugo, and Delegate Jackson Miller all voted against proposals to reform our rigged redistricting process.
One of the bills, HJ763, carried by Delegate Steve Landes, would have prohibited the wide-spread practice of politicians carving out their political opponents. Contrary to comments by some members of the subcommittee, it does not include a redistricting commission, but just a simple one-line addition to the Virginia Constitution:
No electoral district shall be drawn for the purpose of favoring or disfavoring any political party, incumbent legislator, member of Congress, or other individual or entity.
“This amendment represents the core component of redistricting reform. It is simple: If you think politicians should be able to carve out their political opponents, then you are for gerrymandering and the elimination of competition in our elections,” said Brian Cannon, Executive Director of OneVirginia2021.
The hope was that other members of the House of Delegates would bring the redistricting bills beyond the House Constitutional Subcommittee for a full vote on the floor. On Friday, February 3rd, the House Privileges & Elections Committee refused to recognize legislators supporting redistricting reform who were trying to make a motion, and instead adjourned. With over 100 people in the audience, the shouts were not polite. More to come on this soon. We aren’t finished for this session — good bills are still coming from the Senate. Stay tuned.
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