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A fresh start, but only a beginning 

Renewable power, global warming cap are next

President Obama has begun to chart a new course on energy and the environment. Yet, as he would readily acknowledge, the toughest obstacles lie ahead.

In January, Environment Virginia’s federal staff, Margie Alt, Anna Aurilio and Ivan Frishberg, applauded the president in the East Room of the White House as he directed his administration to take steps that will help states, including Virginia, to put more hybrids and other fuel-efficient cars on our roads, reducing our carbon footprint and our dependence on oil.

In February, our staff spent time on Capitol Hill lobbying Virginia’s congressional delegation to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The bill included an $80 billion down payment on clean energy that will create 1.5 million green jobs nation wide, including thousands in Virginia.

“We’re thrilled the president has acted so boldly and swiftly,” said J.R. Tolbert, Environment Virginia advocate. “Yet there’s a mountain of work left to do, and Obama’s going to need for all the help he can get.”

Energy companies have proposed to build new coal-fired power plants across the U.S., including proposed plants in the Wise and Surry counties. Environment Virginia is pushing for alternative plans, ones that would expand energy efficiency, and tap into our potential for wind and solar power.

The president has set a goal of generating 25 percent of our electricity from clean energy by 2025; he has also proposed a cap on carbon pollution. Environment Virginia supports both plans. Despite the pro-environment majority in Congress, approval of these measures is far from assured—especially in the Senate, where the opposition needs only 41 votes to snarl progress in endless debate.

“That’s why we’re helping to organize support for clean energy across the state,” said Tolbert. Meanwhile, we’re also working for energy-efficient building codes, increased investment in wind power, funding for our state parks and greater protections for the Chesapeake Bay.

“We can’t repair overnight the damage done over eight years,” Tolbert said. “But we’re determined to push hard, move quickly and restore real protections to our air, water and land.”