Over 200 volunteers

–CHESAPEAKE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK–

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2007

 Coal Critical Issue in Virginia Election

Groups Push Coal to the Forefront on Election Day, 100s Gather Signatures Opposing Proposed Coal Plant at Polling Locations across Va. 

RICHMOND, November 6^th—Over 200 volunteers – many of whom are college students – were dispatched to polling locations across the Commonwealth today to collect signatures on the beginnings of a “mile-long” petition opposing a proposed a new coal-fired power plant in Wise County, Virginia. Utility giant Dominion Virginia Power is seeking to build the plant, which The Richmond Times Dispatch projects to be “one of the dirtiest in Virginia.”

“The 2008 Virginia legislature will have to tackle the issue of coal,” said Josh Tulkin of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), one of the organizations spearheading the Election Day effort. “The officials elected on November 6^th will need to make difficult choices regarding Virginia’s energy future. The question thousands of Virginians are asking is, will they choose dirty energy or will they lead us on a path toward a clean energy future?”

CCAN is part of a larger coalition fighting the proposed Wise County power plant. Coalition members include Appalachian Voices, Southern Environmental Law Center, the Sierra Club, and Wise-County-based Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards.  Dominion Virginia Power is seeking approval from the State Corporation Commission for the $1.6 billion cost of the plant as well as a 14% profit. A public hearing will be held January 8^th in Richmond on their application.

The Election Day effort comes only a week after almost 200 Virginians gathered in Charlottesville for a climate change conference seeking to raise awareness about the impact of global warming on the state and build momentum for action at the local level. The conference was a sign that Virginian’s attitudes towards global warming are shifting and that more and more Virginians are demanding action on global warming.

“As a Virginia resident, I’m really worried about global warming,” said Antigone Ambrose, a Richmond resident who spent the day volunteering at her polling station. “Addressing climate change isn’t just about protecting polar bears in the Arctic anymore; it’s much closer to home. Global warming is already having significant impacts in Virginia, and, with 3,100 miles of coastline – more than Florida – the effects of global warming on the commonwealth could by huge.”

VOLUNTEERS are petitioning at polling locations in the following cities. Contact Josh Tulkin to connect with a local volunteers: Abingdon, Alexandria, Amissville, Annandale,  Appalachia, Arlington, Ashburn, Blacksburg, Blue Ridge, Burke, Broadlands, Charlottesville, Colonial Beach, Emory, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Great Falls, Harrisonburg, Herndon, Knoxville, Lanexa, Lovettsville, Lynchburg, Manassas, McLean, Occoqueen, Poquoson, Reston, Richmond, Round Hill, Salem, Springfield, Vienna, Washington, Williamsburg, and Wise.

 

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