Privacy Policy

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This Privacy Policy describes how the Virginia League of Conservation Voters (“VALCV”) collects, uses, and shares information with respect to your use of their websites, including, by way of example only, the website located at https://www.valcv.org, as well as other websites owned and operated by VALCV that link to this Privacy Policy (collectively, the “Website”). Before you use or submit any information in connection with the Website, carefully review this Privacy Policy. By using the Website, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as outlined below. The terms “you” or “user” refer to all individuals and entities accessing the Website for any reason. The terms “us” or “we” refers to VALCV. 

Information We Collect

We collect information in three main ways: (1) information you choose to provide to us; (2) information we collect automatically through technology when you use the Website; and (3) information we collect from others.

Information You Provide to Us
We collect information about our users when users choose to provide that information to us. Examples of such information collection include, for example, when you sign up to receive emails from us, when you make a donation through the Website, when you purchase merchandise through the Website, when you sign up to take action through the Website, or when you otherwise communicate or interact with us through the Website. The kinds of information we may collect include your first and last name, your mailing address, your email address, your phone number, your credit card information, and any other information you provide to us in connection with your use of the Website. Sometimes you may provide the information to a trusted third party vendor on our behalf instead of directly to us, but that vendor is permitted to use your information only for the purpose for which it was provided or otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

Information that Is Passively and Automatically Collected
When you visit the Website, we may automatically receive and record information from your computer or mobile device. This information allows us to understand how people are navigating and using our Website, and how we can improve your experience based on the information we collect. The types of information we may collect include, by way of example only, your IP address, browser type, browser language, operating system, state or country from which you accessed the Website, software and hardware attributes (including device IDs), referring and exit pages and URLs, platform type, the number of clicks, files you download, pages viewed, the amount of time spent on particular pages, the date and time you used the Website, error logs and other similar information. From your IP address, we may be able to infer your general location (e.g., city and state or postal code).

We may use third-party analytics providers and technologies, such as cookies or tracking pixels, to help us collect the data described above. We use the term “cookie” in the broad sense to include all similar techniques and technologies. A cookie is a small text file that is placed on your computer or device when you visit a website that stores certain information about your website usage. For example, cookies enable us to recognize your computer; store your preferences and settings; enhance your user experience by delivering content specific to your interests; perform searches and analytics; and assist with security administrative functions.

You can change your settings to notify you when a cookie is being set or updated, or to block cookies altogether. If you disable cookies, some functionality of the Website may be impaired.

Information We Collect from Others
We may receive additional information about you from third parties and other sources, such as from public records, marketers, researchers, analysts, social network services, and other organizations. We use this information to supplement the information that we collect directly from you to derive your possible interests and to provide a more relevant experience for you and to improve the Website and our analytics and advertising.

How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • For the purposes for which you provided the information, including:
    • To add you to our email or cell phone list;
    • To process donations you make through the Website;
    • To fulfill merchandise orders you make through the Website;
    • To provide you with information about taking action;
    • To distribute your comment or signature to the appropriate agency or official.
  • To maintain and improve the Website, including:
    • To provide the features and services available through the Website;
    • To improve the content and features of the Website or to develop new services;
    • To administer and troubleshoot the Website.
  • To communicate with you, including:
    • To send you information about your relationship with us;
    • To contact you with information that we believe may be of interest to you;
    • To contact you with fundraising solicitations;
    • To process and respond to your inquiries or to request your feedback.
  • For internal research and reporting.
  • For our business operations, including for security, fraud prevention, and legal compliance.
  • To comply with laws and regulations for our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of others.
  • For other purposes for which we seek your consent in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

If you provide us with your email address, we may add you to our email distribution list. If you wish to stop receiving emails from us, please email info@valcv.org or click the unsubscribe link in the footer of an email from us. Please note that opting out or unsubscribing will not prevent you from receiving communications that are not marketing in nature, such as important notices about changes to our terms and policies.

If you provide us with your mobile number, you consent to receiving calls and messages from VALCV. Message and data rates may apply. If you wish to stop receiving calls and messages from us, please text STOP in response to any text message you receive from us.

We may also aggregate or de-identify information we collect from you so that it is no longer linked to you or your computer or device, or we may collect information that is already in de-identified form. Our use and disclosure of aggregated or de-identified information is not subject to any restrictions under this Privacy Policy, and we may, in our sole discretion, use and disclose such information for any purpose, without limitation.

When We Disclose Your Information

We may disclose your information to or with third parties under the following circumstances:

  • With Consent. We may disclose your information with your consent.
  • To Service Providers. We may provide access to or disclose your information with select third parties that perform services for us to help us run our organization. These may include, for example, entities that provide data hosting and storage, help desk software and email services, security, research and analytics, and legal services. 
  • With our Affiliated Organizations.We may share your information amongst the VALCV family of organizations, including but not limited to, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Virginia League of Conservation Voters PAC, and our affiliated national and state organizations.
  • With Collaborators and Other Select Entities. We may share your information with other organizations with whom we may collaborate. 
  • Protection of VALCV and Others. VALCV may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that disclosure is permitted by this Privacy Policy or reasonably necessary or appropriate for any of the following reasons: 
    • to comply with legal process; 
    • to enforce this Policy, including investigation of potential violations thereof; 
    • to respond to your requests for customer service; and/or 
    • to protect the rights, property, or personal safety of VALCV, its agents and affiliates, users, and the public. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection, spam/malware prevention, and similar purposes.
  • Organizational Transfers. If we participate in a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or other transfer or reorganization of assets (including in contemplation thereof, e.g., due diligence), we may disclose your information because user information collected through the Website may be among the transferred assets. If any of VALCV’s assets are sold or transferred to a third party, information collected through the Website would likely be one of the transferred business assets.
  • Aggregated Data. We may share aggregated and de-identified information.

How We Protect Your Information

We have implemented administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect against the loss, misuse, and/or alteration of your information. These safeguards vary based on the sensitivity of the information that we collect and store. However, we cannot and do not guarantee that these measures will prevent every unauthorized attempt to access, use, or disclose your information because, despite our efforts, no Internet and/or other electronic transmissions can be completely secure.

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

The laws in some jurisdictions require that website operators tell you about the legal grounds they rely on to use or disclose your information. To the extent those laws apply, our legal grounds for processing your information are as follows:

  • Where use of your information is necessary to perform our obligations to you;
  • Where use of your information is necessary for our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of others (for example, to provide security for our Website; to provide the services we provide through our Website; to defend our legal rights; to analyze the use of our Website; to improve our services);
  • Where we have a reason to process the information in accordance with applicable law;
  • Where we have your consent to engage in a particular type of processing activity. 

Online Analytics

We may use third-party web analytics services (such as those of Google Analytics) in connection with the Website to collect and analyze the information discussed above, and to engage in auditing, research, or reporting. The information (including your IP address) collected by various analytics technologies described in the “Information that Is Passively and Automatically Collected” section will be disclosed to or collected directly by these service providers, who use the information to evaluate your use of the Website, including by noting the third party website from which you arrive, analyzing usage trends, assisting with fraud prevention, and providing certain features to you. Information about how Google uses information collected from sites that use its services is located at https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites. To prevent Google Analytics from using your information for analytics, you may install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Non-U.S. Visitors

The Website is not intended for individuals located outside of the U.S. If you are a non-U.S. resident, you acknowledge that our collection and processing of personal information is subject to United States law, and that any personal information you provide to us shall be processed in the United States, where the laws and regulations may not provide the same level of data protection rights as in the jurisdiction in which you are located.

Children’s Privacy

The Website is intended for general audiences and is not directed at children. If we become aware that we have collected information without legally valid parental consent from children under an age where such consent is required under applicable law, we will take reasonable steps to delete it as soon as possible. 

Third-Party Links and Websites

The Website may contain links to third-party websites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such other sites. The collection, use and disclosure of your information will be subject to the privacy policies of those third-party websites, not this Privacy Policy. Therefore, we encourage our users to be aware when they leave our Website and to read the privacy policies of every site they visit that collects their information.     

Revisions to Privacy Policy

We will continue to review this Privacy Policy and we may make changes to the Policy from time to time. The date at the bottom of this page indicates the last time changes were made. You should check this page periodically for updates. If we make material changes to this Policy, we will provide you with notice as required by law. Your continued use of the Website will signify that you have read, understood, and accepted the terms of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you can contact us by emailing us at info@valcv.org.

Last Updated: 9/18/24

House sends historic climate package to Biden’s desk

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Aug. 12, 2022

Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

Inflation Reduction Act is largest effort to-date from Congress to tackle climate change, expand clean energy

 

RICHMOND – Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, sending this package to President Biden for his signature and paving the way for the largest win on climate action and clean energy in our nation’s history. 

In response to this historic vote, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, released the following statement: 

“Today’s vote was truly a pivotal moment in the climate fight, and one that will reverberate large here in Virginia, building on progress we’ve already made growing a clean energy economy, creating jobs, and cutting harmful pollution. This package, while historic, isn’t a moonshot and cannot be the only consequential vote Congress takes on climate change. Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we will continue pushing for aggressive climate action while fighting unnecessary and destructive fossil fuel infrastructure that threatens our health and our future.”

Background:
The $370 billion in investments in clean energy and climate action under the IRA will result in an estimated 40 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, getting our nation closer to the threshold it needs to hit in order to prevent the worst impacts of climate change into the future (a full rundown of these investments is available here). 

In the process, the IRA will lower inflation, cut household and healthcare costs for families, and help create an estimated 9 million jobs in the clean energy sector, while yielding huge health benefits. Due to the pollution reductions that will be realized because of the IRA, our nation will avoid as many as 3,900 premature deaths per year in 2030, with reductions concentrated in communities of color. Avoided air pollution would also prevent up to 100,000 asthma attacks and up to 417,000 lost workdays in 2030. 

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.

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Virginia LCV applauds transformational Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Friday, July 29, 2022

Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Yesterday, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WVa.) announced he had reached an agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which if passed would be the largest climate action funding package in our nation’s history, resulting in a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

In response to this historic announcement, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, released the following statement:

“This is a huge, transformative moment in the climate fight. After months of negotiations and a full-court press by advocates, we now have the largest climate investments in our nation’s history. This legislation will build on progress we’ve already made here in Virginia by taking meaningful action that invests in a sustainable, just future, cuts pollution, and expands clean energy alongside efforts to reduce everyday household costs for Virginians. This package, and the negotiations that got it here, are not perfect – we are concerned about an apparent agreement outside of this bill to ease infrastructure permitting – but the benefits to our climate and our future outweigh any downside that we can see. The Senate must act to get this done.”

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.

Extreme SCOTUS ruling shows importance of Congressional climate action, defense of climate progress here in Virginia

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, June 30, 2022

Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to address climate change by reducing power plant emissions in ruling that the Clean Air Act doesn’t give EPA “broad authority” to regulate greenhouse gas pollution from the energy sector.

In response to today’s ruling, Michael Town, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“In yet another radical ruling by an extreme Supreme Court, the fight to address climate change just got that much more difficult. Today’s decision putting the onus to address this crisis back on Congress should light a fire under a stalled Senate to finish the job on reconciliation by passing $555 billion in climate and clean energy investments that cut pollution, create good-paying jobs, and put vulnerable, impacted communities first.

Today’s ruling also shows just how important it is for us to protect the gains we’ve made here in Virginia to cut pollution and secure a clean energy future. Virginia LCV will continue fighting to defend our climate policies from attacks here in Virginia, and holding the Youngkin Administration accountable when they work to roll back the vital progress we’ve made growing a clean energy economy, protecting impacted communities, and cutting the harmful pollution that threatens our health and our planet.”

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.

 

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Northam’s outgoing budget makes critical investments to protect clean water, natural resources

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021

Media contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

RICHMOND – Today, outgoing Governor Ralph Northam unveiled his 2022-2024 budget to a joint meeting of the House Appropriations, House Finance, and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees.

The proposed budget contains nearly $1 billion in investments that will increase access to nature, safeguard clean water, and protect our natural resources.

In response to this announcement, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“A state budget reflects a state’s values. The investments unveiled today by Governor Northam show a strong commitment to protecting our environment in an equitable way that expands access to nature and ensures all Virginians benefit from protected lands and cleaner water. We will be working to defend these investments in 2022 and look forward to working with lawmakers to pass a budget that prioritizes a clean and healthy environment and invests in rural Virginia.”

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.

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Virginia LCV-EF Condemns Water Permitting Decision for Mountain Valley

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021

Media contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the State Water Control Board voted 3-2, with two members absent, to approve an incredibly flawed permit allowing Mountain Valley Pipeline to proceed with construction across water bodies in Southwest Virginia, a decision that ignores a track record including hundreds of violations of Virginia’s water quality laws, and one that flies in the face of robust public opposition.

In response to today’s decision, Lee Francis, Deputy Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“Throughout this project, MVP has shown no respect to Virginia’s water quality or the Virginians that live in the path of this project. Today’s vote ignores science, overlooks one of the poorest environmental track records in state history, puts an out-of-state corporation’s interests ahead of what’s right for clean water and our environment, and comes even as another state citizen board acted to do the right thing for Virginians by rejecting MVP’s license to pollute earlier this month. While this outcome is disappointing, our work fighting this project isn’t done, and there remain multiple pathways to protecting clean water even if state regulators refuse to.”

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.

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Virginia LCV-EF applauds Air Board decision to reject permit for MVP Compressor Station

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Dec. 3, 2021

Media contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

CHATHAM, VA – Today, acting through the lens of the Virginia Environmental Justice Act, the State Air Pollution Control Board rejected a permit that would have allowed Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) to operate a compressor station in an environmental justice community alongside existing fossil fuel infrastructure already negatively impacting public health in this part of Pittsylvania County.

This decision deals a major blow to MVP’s second-phase plans to continue into North Carolina, dubbed “Southgate,” and comes just days before the State Water Control Board will weigh whether to grant MVP permits it needs to lay pipe through hundreds of sensitive water bodies along the main part of the route – a vote that could seal this project’s fate.

In response to today’s action, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“Congratulations to all the activists and community leaders who have been fighting this destructive project tooth and nail! Today’s vote is great news for clean air and our climate, and shows just how far Virginia’s come on issues of environmental justice in just the past few years. With the Air Board acting today to protect citizens in the path of this project, we hope the Water Board, too, will do the right thing here in the coming days for our environment, citizens’ health and safety, and clean water.”

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.

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Virginia LCV-EF applauds House passage of Build Back Better Act

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Nov. 19, 2021

Media contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

RICHMOND – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the landmark Build Back Better Act, which contains a $555 billion investment in clean energy and climate action – the largest in our nation’s history and one that puts us on a pathway to cutting carbon pollution in half by 2030 and meeting the urgency of the climate crisis.

In response to this historic announcement, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote in the House paves the way for the largest step we’ve ever taken as a country to address climate change, cut pollution, and expand clean energy. The members of Virginia’s House Delegation who supported the Build Back Better Act should be proud of the votes they cast today – this landmark effort will grow Virginia’s economy, protect vulnerable communities, and put us on the path we need to cut carbon pollution in half by 2030. The decision whether to respond accordingly to the largest environmental threat we’ve ever faced now rests with the Senate, and we thank U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine for helping us get to this point. We are confident they will continue to be on the right side of history.”

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.

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Virginia LCV-EF applauds Build Back Better framework

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021

Media contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

RICHMOND – Today, after months of negotiations, President Biden announced a compromise Build Back Better framework that contains a record $555 billion investment in clean energy and climate action – the largest in our nation’s history that, if passed by Congress, will put us on a pathway to cutting carbon pollution in half by 2030.

In response to this historic announcement, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“Congress is close to delivering on the strong climate action that Virginians deserve, efforts that will build on the incredible progress we’ve made in Virginia over the past two years, helping us further grow a clean energy economy all while securing cleaner air and a healthier future for all of us who call the Commonwealth home. We are at a critical moment, and it’s time for Congress to finish the job on what, if passed, will be our nation’s most significant effort to-date to address climate change.”

Background: 
On top of a number of investments that will help families, boost the middle class, and improve the lives of Virginians and people across the America, the framework announced today contains these specific clean energy and climate action investments:

  • Clean Energy Tax Credits ($320 billion): Ten-year expanded tax credits for utility-scale and  residential clean energy, transmission and storage, clean passenger and commercial vehicles, and  clean energy manufacturing.

  • Resilience Investments ($105 billion): Investments and incentives to address extreme weather  (wildfires, droughts, and hurricanes, including in forestry, wetlands, and agriculture), legacy  pollution in communities, and a Civilian Climate Corps.

  • Investments and Incentives for Clean Energy Technology, Manufacturing, and Supply  Chains ($110 billion): Targeted incentives to spur new domestic supply chains and technologies, like solar, batteries, and advanced materials, while boosting the competitiveness of  existing industries, like steel, cement, and aluminum.

  • Clean Energy procurement ($20 billion): Provide incentives for government to be a purchaser of next-generation technologies, including long-duration storage, small modular reactors, and clean  construction materials.

  • Advance Environmental Justice: A new Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator that will invest in projects around the country, while delivering 40% of the benefits of investment to disadvantaged communities, as part of the President’s Justice40 initiative.

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.

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Virginia LCV-EF mourns the loss of W. Tayloe Murphy, dedicated conservationist, former Delegate and Secretary of Natural Resources

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021

Media contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org

RICHMOND – Today, we learned of the passing of W. Tayloe Murphy, a former Delegate and Secretary of Natural Resources whose immense dedication to the Chesapeake Bay and protecting our environment helped shape policy-making for years and will always be remembered.

In response to this sad news, Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“The Virginia LCV family was truly saddened to hear of the passing of Secretary Murphy. He was a champion for the Chesapeake Bay and protecting Virginia’s natural resources, and our environment is cleaner today because of his dedication. Tayloe Murphy will be sorely missed and we send his family our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.”

About us:
We build a stronger, more diverse, and more engaged conservation voter movement in order to protect the natural environment and improve the quality of life of all Virginians. We envision an equitable and just Virginia, where all communities enjoy clean air and water, open space, a liveable climate, and a democracy that works for all Virginians. For more information, visit www.valcvef.org.