Virginia’s General Assembly is considering a large number of bills that address our energy economy, climate change and the environment. Unlike prior years, several bills are likely to pass. The Zero Carbon team reviewed the 100-plus House bills and the 50-plus Senate bills. The topics range from updates to boards and committees to overhauling the structure of regulated utilities and banning fossil fuel use. We identified bills that are consistent with ZCV Legislative Priorities and that would generate immediate results.
Continue reading “2020 Bill Endorsements”Author: Zero Carbon Virginia
Virginia Senate Gets to Work on Clean Energy
Attention Virginia Climate and Clean Energy Advocates!
The work to decarbonize Virginia’s economy begins in earnest on Monday, January 13. The Senate’s Commerce and Labor Sub-Committee on Energy meets in Senate Room A of the Pocahontas Building (900 E Main St, Richmond) and will take up a number of bills key to decarbonizing Virginia’s economy.
Continue reading “Virginia Senate Gets to Work on Clean Energy”Zero Carbon Virginia Hosts Energy Transition Summit
Zero Carbon Virginia, a citizen’s group seeking a non-partisan path toward a zero-carbon energy future, hosted the Virginia Energy Transition Summit in Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday, August 24, 2019. The educational and informational event provided a group of Virginia General Assembly members and staff the chance to discuss the opportunities and challenges of the ongoing transition to cleaner energy resources that are developing across the United States.
Continue reading “Zero Carbon Virginia Hosts Energy Transition Summit”Support the Renewables First Act
The majority of Virginia’s electricity is based on burning fossil fuels, mainly natural gas and coal. The effects of the resulting climate change are all around us. For example, the six hottest years recorded have occurred over the last decade. Tens of millions of dollars are spent annually to harden Virginia’s coastal military bases against sea level rise. Science tells us that we must hold global temperature increases under 2°C (3.6°F), or suffer staggering economic and social upheaval. To realize this goal, the major economies must pursue ‘deep decarbonization’, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 80% by mid-century.
In addition to producing heat-trapping gases, the burning of fossil fuels produces particulates and gases, which cause toxic ground level ozone. This is a big problem in many parts of the developed and developing world, including Virginia (The American Lung Association gives out letter grades for air quality; Loudoun County’s air gets a ‘C’, Fairfax’s an ‘F’). Public health provides a second strong incentive to reduce fossil fuel-based energy production. We all have to do our part in reducing fossil fuel emissions, including Virginia. Delay is not an option.
Zero Carbon Virginia 