http://www.deq.virginia.gov/info/climatechange.html
“To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop, and utilize its natural resources, its public lands, and its historical sites and buildings. Further, it shall be the Commonwealth's policy to protect its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth.”
- - Article XI, Constitution of Virginia
Summary Report December 6, 2008
Delegate J. F. Bouchard, Ph.D., Commission Chair - Lessons Learned:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can promote economic growth and preserve quality of life.
- Fossil fuel industries are using energy independence as a pretext to defeat efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- United States cannot significantly reduce dependence on imported oil by increasing domestic fossil fuel production.
- This approach will only exacerbate the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- There is no relationship between supply and price (It’s all about profits!) - reducing demand for oil must be the top priority.
- The only effective way to reduce dependence on imported oil and gas is to significantly reduce demand for fossil fuels through renewable energy, conservation and efficiency.
- The Green Economy will produce greater prosperity than increasing fossil fuel consumption.
- Significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential, feasible and affordable.
- Virginia is already seeing the impact of climate change.
- By 2010, Chesapeake Bay sea level will rise somewhere from 2ft. 4in. to 5ft. 3in. - will begin losing beaches, wetlands and farmland.
- Prevention is essential to reduce consequences of climate change.
- Prevention better for the economy than adaptation.
Key Recommendations of the Commission:
- Adopt Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) greenhouse gas emission reduction goal.
- Strengthen energy efficiency and conservation programs.
- Require statewide Transportation Plan include coordination of transportation and land use, and quantifiable greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- Increase funding for transit and rail; promote “smart growth” development.
- Increase Virginia’s voluntary renewable portfolio standard from12% by 2022 to 15% by 2025.
- Promote renewable energy, green industries, construction of nuclear power plants.
- Urge Congress to enact economy-wide greenhouse gas cap and trade program, promote renewable energy and nuclear power, and adopt stronger CAFÉ standards.
Recommendations Where the Commission Could Not Reach Consensus (may need to be looked at again in the future):
- Virginia will not allow any more coal-fired power plants (including Wise County) until carbon capture and storage technology is proven.
- Adopt mandatory renewable portfolio standards.
- 3. Adopt California Low-Emission Vehicle (CALEV) regulations.
2009 General Assembly:
- Primary focus is the BUDGET.
- Governor Kane has announced that his priority will be the environment.
- Bills implementing Climate Change Commission recommendations:
- Enhance energy efficiency and conservation
- Improve transportation and land use planning
- Promote renewable energy and nuclear power
- Resolution urging Congress and Obama Administration to take action
- Bills promoting destruction of the environment:
- Declaration that the proposed coal-fired Cypress Creek Power Station in Surry County is in the public interest
- Declaration of support for offshore oil and gas production off Virginia.
Additional Info:
PDF: Governor’s Commission On
Climate Change
PDF: Commonwealth Of Virginia
DEQ, Inventory and Projection Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Natural Resource Initiatives
L. Preston Bryant, Jr., serves as Secretary of Natural Resources in the cabinet of Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine. The Secretary of Natural Resources advises the Governor on natural resources issues and oversees the major state agencies that protect and restore the Commonwealth’s natural and historic resources.
He is also responsible for advancing the Governor’s top environmental priorities, such as the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change, the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, Virginia’s Water Cleanup Plan, Virginia Water Quality and Quantity planning, the Virginia Energy Plan, the 400,000 acre Virginia Land Conservation Plan, and more.
Prior to joining Governor Kaine’s cabinet, Secretary Bryant served in the Virginia House of Delegates for 10 years, where he sponsored landmark legislation to help preserve more than one million acres of nontidal wetlands, streamline the state’s stormwater management programs, and create a nutrient credit trading program to advance upgrades to more than a hundred wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into Virginia waters.
Secretary Bryant will be providing an overview of what has been accomplished during the Kaine Administration what he and Gov Kaine hope to accomplish before the end of his term.