STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD VOTE SLOWS ACP TIMELINE, BUT PIPELINE THREAT REMAINS

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017

Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the State Water Control Board voted 4-3 to approve amended water quality certifications for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, pending completion of further environmental compliance plans by Dominion, a decision that slows down the timeline of this flawed project, but allows it to proceed, nonetheless.

In response, Lee Francis, communications manager for Virginia LCV, released the following statement:

“While this outcome buys us time, it’s still far from the end result for clean water we wanted – a flawed application that didn’t include required details outlining how Dominion planned to mitigate water pollution from its unnecessary pipeline shouldn’t have even gotten a hearing in the first place. It’s at least a promising sign that regulators sent Dominion back to the drawing board.”

“In the meantime, as we head toward the 2018 General Assembly and a new administration in Virginia, we’ll work closely with our lawmakers and Governor Northam to ensure the strongest oversight of this project possible while pushing for even more stringent safeguards to protect our waterways from projects like the ACP.”

 

About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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New Climate Initiatives from Northam Administration a Welcome Step Forward for Clean Air, Healthy Oceans

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018

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

SAN FRANCISO – Today, at the Global Climate Action Summit, a delegation from Virginia announced new, ambitious plans from the Northam administration to act on climate change by further reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions in Virginia and to do its part to address the growing acidification of our oceans.

The plans outline Virginia’s intention to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative, with goals to significantly decrease our state’s emissions from the transportation sector – our largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the Administration announced it will be taking the first steps toward regulating methane – one of the most potent contributors to global warming – from both natural gas infrastructure and landfills.

Virginia also plans to join the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification and to develop the state’s first ocean acidification action plan as a way to help safeguard our aquatic resources and the industries they support.

“Today’s announcement further demonstrates that even as the federal level continues to abandon efforts to address the climate crisis, Virginia remains committed to climate action and advancing a clean energy economy,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. “By addressing both our largest and most dangerous contributors to global warming and a growing threat to clean water, Northam is following through on a promise he made to Virginia voters to act on climate change and protect our public health and safety.”

The Global Climate Action Summit, which runs until Friday, Sept. 14, was organized as an effort to celebrate the achievements of states, regions, cities, companies, investors and citizens with respect to climate action and to bring leaders and people together from around the world to “Take Ambition to the Next Level.” Virginia’s commitments come alongside deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries intended to put the globe on track to prevent dangerous climate change and realize the historic Paris Agreement.

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APPROVAL OF MOUNTAIN VALLEY PERMITS PUTS WATER AT RISK, IGNORES OVERWHELMING OPPOSITION

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017

Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, after two days of hearing strong opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline, the State Water Control Board approved the necessary water quality permits allowing the project to move forward.

In response, Lee Francis, communications manager for Virginia LCV, offered the following statement:

“Today’s vote marks a sad day for Virginia’s environment. When big corporations win out over the interests of landowners, farmers, concerned citizens and conservation advocates alike, we all lose. To anyone that looked into the water permits this board just approved, it was painfully clear they fell woefully short of actually protecting water quality. Make no mistake about it; if this project moves forward, people will suffer.

“Those who have been on the front lines of this fight deserve recognition and should continue making their voices heard. This process is far from over. The incoming administration still has a chance to make this right by ensuring regulators use every tool in their toolbox to hold this project to the highest environmental standards possible, instead of abdicating their authority. Fighting this project and the even more devastating Atlantic Coast Pipeline will be a top legislative priority as we head into the 2018 General Assembly.”

 

About us:

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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As Trump Administration Moves to Gut the Clean Power Plan, Virginia Can and Should Continue to Lead on Climate Action

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018

Contact:
Lee Francis | Communications Manager
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(804) 225-1902 | lfrancis@valcv.org

 

RICHMOND – Today, the Trump Administration announced it’s moving forward with a rule to formally replace the Clean Power Plan with a much weaker rule that clearly threatens public health and moves us in the wrong direction when it comes to acting on climate change.

The rule, signed by Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler this morning, allows states to set their own, drastically lower greenhouse gas emission targets and shields high-polluting, coal-fired power plants from further regulation at the state level. The rollback comes as coal continues to decline as a domestic energy source amid the rapid rise of affordable and clean renewable energy.

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

“In yet another in a series of unrelenting actions putting polluters above public health, the Trump Administration is moving to reverse the biggest step forward America has ever taken on climate action. This reckless rollback is the opposite of “Making America Great Again” – it endangers the American public and will have devastating consequences to our economy, our health, and our climate.

“Fortunately, Virginia is leading the way with state-led action to curb harmful power plant emissions and significantly expand the commonwealth’s fleet of wind and solar. In the wake of this latest rollback, it’s more important now than ever for the Northam Administration to finalize a strong rule putting us on a clear trajectory to cleaner air, safer shores, and a healthier commonwealth.”

About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.

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DEQ Puts Water Resources in Hands of Pipeline Builder with Long History of Polluting Waterways

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, March 27, 2018 

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

RICHMOND – Yesterday evening, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced it had approved erosion, stormwater and sediment control plans for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, planned to cross 106 miles of rugged, mountainous terrain in Southwest Virginia.

In response to yesterday’s action, Lee Francis, communications manager for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“A news release sent at 7 p.m. on Monday does not necessarily signal that DEQ is proud of this decision, nor should they be. State regulators have now put the fate of our clean water resources in the hands of a pipeline builder with a long track record of environmental violations. We urge Governor Northam to abide by his pledge to hold this project, and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, to the highest standards possible. Virginia’s already off to a bad start in this regard.”

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With Notice of Violation, Northam Administration Puts ACP on Notice

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Friday, March 16, 2018

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

RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a Notice of Violation to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline for violating State Water Control Law by clear-cutting trees near streams and wetlands.

In response to today’s action, Lee Francis, communications manager for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, issued the following statement:

“Only days into preliminary construction, this unnecessary and destructive pipeline is already on the wrong side of state laws designed to safeguard our water resources. We are grateful Governor Northam is standing up for Virginians’ clean water and urge his administration to continue the strongest possible oversight of this project to protect clean water for citizens in its path as well as those who live downstream.”

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Virginia LCV Education Fund Responds to Dominion’s Coal Ash Assessments, Calls for More Stringent Protections

Written by

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Dec. 1, 2017

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

RICHMOND – Today, Dominion Energy released site-by-site assessments of its coal ash impoundments, as required by legislation from the 2017 General Assembly that also prevented final closure of these facilities until May 2018. The lengthy report essentially attempts to validate Dominion’s earlier plans to cap coal ash waste in place at multiple sites in Virginia.

Coal ash, the toxic byproduct of burning coal to general electricity, contains harmful chemicals known to cause cancer and other severe health problems. Currently, caches of this carcinogenic material are being stored in Virginia on the banks of the James River, Elizabeth River, and a main tributary to the Potomac River. In some cases, this waste is being stored in unlined pits that predate environmental regulations, which can leach harmful waste into waters we depend on as drinking sources and for recreational purposes.

“Virginia LCV remains committed to ensuring the safest possible outcome for clean water and public health during the closure process, and chief among our legislative priorities heading into the 2018 General Assembly is fighting for strong solutions to this toxic threat,” said Trieste Lockwood, government affairs manager for the Virginia LCV Education Fund. “We don’t get a second chance to do this the right way, and the risks to waterways and our economy could be catastrophic if we get it wrong. This is why legislators asked for more information in 2017 and why they should support the best possible solutions to Virginia’s coal ash problem in 2018.”

Following massive environmental disasters in Tennessee (2008) and across the Virginia border in North Carolina (2014), where coal ponds failed, sending millions of gallons of coal ash slurry into nearby waterways, the Environmental Protection Agency in 2015 required utilities to begin draining and closing these facilities. EPA, however, gave utilities a range of options to do so, including a “cap-in-place” approach, which allows utilities to bury coal ash waste in place, an approach that doesn’t fully remove this toxic threat to clean water but one clearly sought by Dominion Energy.

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