Historic Climate Bill! Action still needed!

Northern Virginia Climate Update 5/29/09

Last week was historic in terms of climate change legislation. An omnibus climate bill (American Clean Energy and Securities Act (ACES or HR 2454) passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This is the first step in passing a science-based bill that addresses the real threat of climate change.

Unfortunately the ACES bill has been severely compromised by the fossil fuel industry and specifically the coal industry. The negotiations coming into markup yielded numerous loopholes for the coal industry, including provisions eliminating EPA authority to clean up the nation’s oldest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants. In addition, free allocations to polluting industries and utility companies further slow the opportunity to spark strong job creation.

The renewable energy standard (RES) and energy efficiency resource standards (EERS) which were separate and strong when the bill was first drafted have been consolidated and lowered the point where, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the approximate energy savings from the new reduced goal will be only 3% more than they are now (because most states already have RES or EERS of their own).

Obviously we as Virginians know that a business as usual approach is not good enough to address this problem. Business as usual for Virginia is fighting coal on very front. We are battling the Wise County Coal Plant in SW Virginia in court and another one on the ground in Surry County. We cannot allow Congress to essentially legalize new coal plants in the Commonwealth through 2025 and dole out large sums of money to utilities like Dominion Power as it continues to post record profits and demands rate increases of their customers (US).

As this bill moves through the floor of the House of Representatives there is still an opportunity to strengthen this bill, and this is where you come in. Both Congressman Moran and Congressman Connelly have already stood out as champs for the environment and now is their opportunity to really define themselves as Climate Champions. We need either Congressman to introduce amendments to strengthen this bill and protect consumers (not the fossil fuel industry!) before it comes to the House floor vote. I will be scheduling meetings with both Congressman in the coming weeks. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. (I'd like to post a take action link on the blog so that people submit strengthen amendment requests via the blog, but wanted to run the idea by you guys first)

This month, on Thursday, June 11, we will be meet again at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, in Hollin Hall’s Fireplace Room,
Address: 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria VA 22307.

We will have a special action at this month’s event. Our speaker will be John Passacantando, former director of Greenpeace USA and a Mt. Vernon neighbor. John has spent 15 years working to combat climate change, and he will present as inspirational talk about our challenges in the days ahead. John is well known for his eloquent and insightful public addresses, and has talked before many non profit, student and business organizations. He has just started a new blog about the economy and the environment at www.ournexteconomy.com Please feel free to invite your friends and neighbors to see John speak, and find out more about our group. have a special action event.


Other upcoming events:



Saturday June 6th- 9:30am-12:30pm,

Building a Green, Clean Energy Future

Tools for Change Workshop

NRECA Building 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA (Near Ballston Metro)

RSVP @ http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/NOVAClimate