Last week, the Governor ceremoniously unveiled Virginia’s Energy Plan — read the news release or the 180 page report — a plan that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%… Great news, right? Well, I am not so sure… For a scathingly intelligent critique, please see what The Green Miles has to say; he hits the nail right on the head. And see here for CCAN’s press release.

Here is the good:

• The Governor is talking about climate change
• We are starting to create the link between social justice, environmentalism, and power production
• Emphasizes efficiency and conservation
• There are (weak) goals set to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions.

Here is the bad:

• Expansion of coal, petroleum and nuclear power production in state. The plan does not challenge the wisdom behind building more fossil fuel and nuclear infrastructure.
• The greenhouse gas reduction targets proposed in the plan are amazingly weak, especially in comparison to what other states have committed to.
• The plan does not recommend mandatory renewable energy purchases or a clean cars type of bill.

If you want my quick synthesis, I can sum it up in four words: where are our priorities? If we, as a state, are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, improving our energy efficiency as a state, and conserving energy; then why are we investing in old, dirty technology? The plan does not challenge or even ask for a review of the planned coal fired power plant in Wise Co. Virginia (a 500-600 MW facility that will severely compromise our states ability to make any reductions in greenhouse gas emissions). Why even talk about minimizing your global warming impact in one document if you are going to, in the same document, talk about the benefits of another conventional coal fired power plant? These two statements are not congruent in the least bit.

If we are serious about fighting global warming we need to be serious about renewable energy, conservation and efficiency. These need to be the priority energy actions for the state, not another coal fired power plant.