Our Safe Coast Virginia Campaign is off and running this summer as we work to build support across the Commonwealth to pass the Virginia Coastal Protection Act in the 2016 legislative session. We’re kicking things off at the city council level by passing resolutions in favor of this critical climate legislation. Already we’ve passed a resolution in Norfolk and we’re eagerly anticipating a favorable vote in Charlottesville next month. Across the state we’re working to pass resolutions everywhere from Alexandria to Harrisonburg to Virginia Beach.
The Virginia Coastal Protection Act would direct Virginia to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative — a cooperative effort including nine East Coast states from Maine to Maryland that caps carbon emissions from power plants, requiring utilities to purchase carbon allowances for the pollution they emit. The annual proceeds from RGGI would help fund coastal adaptation and climate resilience efforts as well as renewable energy and energy efficiency programs statewide. Read more about this policy solution by clicking here.
By passing resolutions at the city council level, we can show legislators in Richmond that communities across Virginia are demanding action on climate. There’s no limit to how many resolutions we can pass and we welcome you to get more involved.
Campaigns Underway:
Albemarle County
Alexandria
Arlington
Fredericksburg
Hampton
Harrisonburg
Leesburg
Portsmouth
Richmond
Roanoke
VA Beach
If you or a group you’re affiliated with would like to join an existing campaign or start your own, please get in touch with me at Charlie@chesapeakeclimate.org. We can get you connected with groups already running local campaigns or help you get started on your own. Working at the city council level is an easy way to familiarize yourself with lobbying and we’re here to help throughout the entire process.