New Energy Future News

Contact: J.R. Tolbert, 706-594-5487, jrtolbert@environmentvirginia.org

Virginia Has a Bright Future in Clean Energy

Washington, DC – America can reduce global warming pollution by nearly 10 percent annually, replace the power equivalent of 170 coal fired power plants, and create or sustain more than 3 million jobs by making investment in clean energy and transportation a cornerstone of our economic recovery plan, according to a report by Environment Virginia.

“Our nation can no longer afford the toll dirty energy is exacting on our environment and economy,” said J.R. Tolbert, Advocate at Environment Virginia. “Clean energy can protect our environment and rev our economic engine to generate a brighter future for Virginia.” 

Environment Virginia’s report, Clean Energy, Bright Future, estimates the environmental benefits of $150 billion in investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power and green infrastructure such as public transit. These investments will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the leading cause of global warming, by 670 million tons per year when fully implemented.  This would represent a significant step towards reducing the nation’s global warming pollution 35 percent by 2020, which scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of global warming.

“If we continue with business as usual - dirty energy and highways to nowhere - we will be laying the groundwork for decades of increased global warming pollution,” said Tolbert. “Green infrastructure means more and better jobs now, as well as less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more secure energy in the long term,” added Tolbert.

While Virginia’s offshore wind potential could meet all of the commonwealth’s energy needs every part of the country has the opportunity to benefit from a green economic recovery and transition to a new energy economy, according to the group. For example, the city of Charlottesville will be able to replace the HVAC systems in all municipal buildings and city schools.  If funded, work could begin on the project immediately and could be completed within one year.  Fully funding this project would require a $7.5 million federal investment and strengthen the local economy.  By updating the HVAC systems currently in place the city would cut its carbon emissions by 11,800 tons per year and save between 5 – 30% on annual energy costs.  Overall, this would be the equivalent of taking 1980 cars off the road annually.

Environment Virginia’s proposals have the potential to meet the bulk of President-elect Obama’s goal of creating or sustaining nearly 3 million jobs and will help the president-elect fulfill his promise to reduce the nation’s oil dependence, according to the analysis.  

Among the recommendations in the report are weatherizing U.S. homes and businesses, training workers for new, clean energy industries, and increasing public transportation capacity to meet rapidly growing demand.  The complete report can be found at www.environmentvirginia.org

Environment Virginia warns that Big Oil, King Coal, the road-builders and other polluting interests want to dominate the economic recovery program. “We are calling on Representative Tom Perriello and the rest of the new Congress to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner safer stronger America,” concluded Tolbert.

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Environment Virginia is a state-wide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.