Policy Proposals for the VAGA 2021 Session, Part 2
The Virginia Youth Climate Cooperative (VAYCC) is an intersectional youth organization focused on achieving climate justice through direct action, legislative justice, education, and divestment. It is our goal to work with the people and the representatives of Virginia to fight for climate action in order to combat the ongoing climate crisis. The Policy Director of our
organization, Tallulah Costa, has worked with her legislative assistants (Mrudula Rapaka, Ananya Rajesh, Abigail Connelly, and Mahima Suresh) as well as the Science Research Co-Directors, Lalitha Aiyar and Nouran Alim, to develop five new policy proposals for the Virginia General Assembly to consider for the 2021 session. All of our proposals have been
thoroughly researched by both our Policy and Science Research teams. These proposals additionally reflect the goals we have for the legislature as Virginia constituents.
Summary of Proposals:
- Safety and Efficiency Improvement of Nuclear Facilities Bill
- Nuclear Energy Transition Bill
- The Algal Biofuels Bill
- Virginia CO2 Removal Pilot Program
- Environmental Partnership Bill
Primary Author: Abigail Connelly
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed Bill: Safety and Efficiency Improvement of Nuclear Facilities Bill
To be written into a bill, prefiled, and introduced to the VAGA 2021 Session.
Context of the Issue:
Climate change has been formally recognized by the United Nations as “the most systematic threat to humankind.” Considering the requirement for decarbonization in order to combat climate change and keep the global temperature rise below 2.7°F, nuclear energy is a reliable energy source with the ability to be deployed on a larger scale. In order to improve the safety and
efficiency of nuclear facilities in the state of Virginia, investment in small modular reactors, which are only one-third the size compared to the size of current nuclear power plants, is a wise suggestion considering that the compact size is expected to offer safety and economic benefits.
Virginians have been provided with a 41% electricity generation rate, as noted in observations from 2017, from four nuclear reactors steadily running at North Anna and Surry, which is a larger percentage than the generation rates of natural gas and coal. An improvement in the safety and efficiency of nuclear facilities in the state of Virginia is a wise and beneficial priority,
considering electricity generation as the main focus of nuclear energy.
Summary of the Proposed Solution:
The Virginia Safety and Efficiency Improvement of Nuclear Facilities Bill suggests the prioritization of increasing state government subsidies for small modular reactors and the provision of other financial incentives for investors which would uphold the market for small modular reactors. Small modular reactors notably decrease the risks of investors and the likelihood of a meltdown and are also adaptable to a variety of projects, including NASA’s
explorations on Mars. These small nuclear reactors can be transported by truck and can be installed and already generating power within a week of the original arrival. Nuclear power plants’ ability to reliably operate at a tremendous full power has been recorded at 92.3%, otherwise signifying that nuclear power plants operated 336 days per year, with only 29 days required for maintenance (as noted in 2016 in the United States). Nuclear power sources undergo energy production by means of nuclear fission with no carbon dioxide output, which is important, considering carbon dioxide is a significant contributor to global warming.
Additionally, nuclear greenhouse gas emissions per kilowatt hour are particularly lower than solar power, wind power, and hydroelectric power. Nuclear energy production per TWh has also exhibited a lower death rate in comparison to coal, gas, biomass, and oil.
Cost & Resource Requirements:
It is difficult to estimate the exact costs of investment in the potential purchase of multiple small nuclear reactors. It is likely that the funding will be fairly significant, however, the prioritization of the improvement of the safety and efficiency of Virginia’s existing nuclear facilities is entirely beneficial. This improvement is essential for maintaining the state’s residents’ health and safety.
Sources & Further Reading:
https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-nuclear-power-must-be-part-of-the-energy-solution-environmentalists.
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/energy/nuclearpower.html
https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/nuclear-power-global-warming
http://www.worldnuclear.org/uploadedFiles/org/WNA/Publications/Working_Group_Reports/c omparison_of_lifecycle.pdf
Primary Author: Mrudula Rapaka
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Nuclear Energy Transition Bill
To be written into a bill, prefiled, and introduced to the VAGA 2021 Session
Context of the Issue:
The International Energy Agency stated that as populations rise, the energy demand will also dramatically increase. In a crisis as serious as the current climate one, the energy being used to support cities must be clean and carbon-free. Nuclear energy is the largest source of electricity that doesn’t emit any air pollution and the only one that can constantly produce large amounts of electricity. It also makes up a very critical and large portion of Virginia’s energy economy. According to the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC), nuclear energy provides 32% of Virginia’s electricity and is the largest share of energy from any other type of source. In consideration with only renewable energy, nuclear power makes up 99% of the state’s clean energy generation and has been safely used in Virginia for the past 40 years. The VNEC states
that getting to 100% clean energy generation by 2050, a goal of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, will require a significant investment in nuclear power. Therefore, to battle the severe issue of climate change VAYCC strongly recommends implementing the following policy regarding the acceleration of nuclear energy in Virginia.
Summary of the Proposed Solution:
This bill calls the state of Virginia to support nuclear energy as a transitional fuel into a greener economy and acknowledge its significance in the state’s energy economy through making nuclear power a central part of its energy goals. This means facilitating the growth and implementation of nuclear power plants through reserving a certain part of the state’s budget towards the building of small modular reactors, involving nuclear energy in any discussion of carbon-free energy sources, and promoting any and all advancements in making nuclear energy safer. This bill also calls the state of Virginia to establish a limit on nuclear funding in order to back its transitional nature. Not only is nuclear a safe and reliable option, but it also presents several economic benefits. Dominion Energy states that each year, the nuclear sector pays around $67 million in federal taxes and almost $16 million in state and local taxes. These tax dollars are crucial to the infrastructure and development of Virginia. By supporting an increased transition and reliance on nuclear energy, Virginia’s environment and the economy will greatly benefit.
Costs & Resource Requirements:
Although it is difficult to estimate the exact cost of encouraging the development of nuclear energy in Virginia, taking a step towards a more renewable energy economy is extremely important in mitigating the severe effects of climate change. As stated before, not only is nuclear energy valuable for the state’s climate, but it is also extremely economically profitable.
Sources & Further Reading:
https://virginianuclear.org/to-meet-northams-energy-goals-virginia-must-turn-to-its-nuclear-indu stry/
https://virginianuclear.org/nuclear-energy-in-virginia/
https://www.dominionenergy.com/projects-and-facilities/nuclear-facilities
Primary Author: Mahima Suresh
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: The Algal Biofuels Bill
To be written into a bill, prefiled, and introduced to the VAGA 2021 Session.
Context of the Issue:
The production and consumption of energy contribute about 84% of all greenhouse emissions in the United States. With energy being essential for all Virginians, using safer, more efficient forms of energy is crucial to slow the arrival of climate collapse in our state. In 2018, natural gas fueled more than 50% of Virginia’s electricity net generation of energy. Natural gas is a non-renewable source of energy that releases carbon dioxide and is made of 80–85% methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Another main source of energy in Virginia is Coal, which is a well-known source of air pollution in our state and is known to release toxins such as mercury, lead, sulfur, and other heavy metals. Petroleum has also been a staple supplier of energy to Virginians. While it can be used in many ways and is non-intermittent, there are many issues with this source. It is derived from a limited resource, making it increasingly expensive. It also generates greenhouse gasses, produces hazardous substances (mixtures of plastic, sulfur and other compounds such as carbon monoxide), and is nonrenewable. It can result in oil spills such as the BP Oil spill which caused billions of dollars in losses and the more recent MV Wakashio oil spill which sent Mauritius into a state of environmental emergency. Virginia’s dependence on these sources of fuel will lead to many catastrophic occurrences and an overall decline in the quality of life for many Virginians. Legislation in Virginia must prioritize the health of Virginians over the accessibility of energy sources that destabilize our environment. If action is not taken immediately to prevent our environment from the threat of collapse, irreversible damage will occur to our ecosystems and future generations will suffer. The VAYCC strongly recommends funding research and development of the following fuel source to help put Virginia on a path to environmental rehabilitation.
Summary of the Proposed Solution:
The Algal Biofuels Bill encourages a state-wide shift to algal biofuels through more research and development of the energy source. Algal biofuels are an alternative to common biofuels and petroleum, as they are spatially efficient, not location-specific, do not result in habitat loss, and are carbon neutral. Algae is 20 times more efficient than the most productive oil-seed feedstock and would only require 3% of cropland in America to fulfill 50% of current petroleum demand,
for which it is most suited to replace. For every 100 tons of algal biomass produced, 183 tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide are fixed. Algae can be grown on land not suitable for crops and can
potentially be combined with greywater; in fact, certain strains of Algae thrive in greywater. The VAYCC supports Algal biofuels because they are a better choice for the environment and for the people of Virginia. The need for further research and production would help resolve the current problem Algal biofuels are facing: They have a low net energy yield. A jet mixer technology recently developed by The University of Utah has the potential to resolve this issue by reducing the time and energy-intensive process of lipid extraction for biofuel production. There are also other possible solutions to this obstacle, including the use of hydrothermal liquidation, oil secretion, or alkene secretion. The potential of this biofuel is immense, and investing in it would be investing in our future economy and the health of all Virginians.
Cost & Resource Requirements:
The predicted cost of research and development for Algal biofuels is $50,000–100,000 per grant. The sustainability of Algal biofuels outweigh the cost of funding research and development for it, as Algal biofuels are a source of energy that has potential and can save millions of dollars with its efficiency in the future. It will also protect the health of future generations and land resources, increasing revenue for the produce industry as land not used to produce traditional feedstocks can be used to farm food. Legislators must prioritize the health of their constituents above the initial cost for research and development of a resource that will perform much better than any biofuel in use today, as well as petroleum. With this energy source, the competition for land will diminish and everything from transportation (including aviation) to the heating and warming of homes can be powered through Algal biofuels due to the diverse list of possible fuel types algae yields: this includes butanol, biodiesel, jet fuel, and ethanol.
Sources and Further Reading:
https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-energy_.html https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=VA
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/94/2018/11/Asthma-Burden-Report_Final_1 0232018–1.pdf
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/09/f33/VA_Energy%20Sector%20Risk%20Profile. pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/brfss/default.htm
https://vaperforms.virginia.gov/NaturalResources_airQuality.cfm
https://greengarageblog.org/16-marked-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-petroleum
Primary Author: Ananya Rajesh
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Virginia CO2 Removal Pilot Program
To be written into a bill, prefiled, and introduced to the VAGA 2021 Session.
Context of the Issue:
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (U.S. EIA), Virginia has seen an overall upward trend in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption over the span of the past (approximately) 40 years. Although Virginia is home to several state and national parks and 27,000 acres of forest (USDA) that serve as carbon sinks, they cannot be solely relied on to depollute the air. Especially since Virginia is subject to frequent federal activity, the Commonwealth doesn’t necessarily have jurisdiction to regulate carbon emissions produced by federal organizations. Even if Virginia were to further implement restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, the state would still need to make up for the gigatons of carbon already in the atmosphere. Not only is the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere harmful to the environment, but it is also extremely harmful to human health. The Virginia Conservation Network states that the average car emits about 28 pounds of carbon dioxide per day, and three fourths of Virginian commuters drive to work alone. Hence, although it is crucial that we target CO2 emissions from multiple angles and take preventative measures by scaling back on carbon emissions, it would be far more practical to begin with effecting damage control through CO2 removal. If we do not take action immediately to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the destruction of our environment will be irreversible. VAYCC strongly recommends carrying out the following policy in order to reduce further damage to Virginia’s environment.
Summary of the Proposed Solution:
The Virginia CO2 Removal Pilot Program will seek to invest in research and development to reduce the role of carbon dioxide in pollution. Some of the options include direct air capture (DAC) technology and liquid biofuels in lieu of petroleum. Through direct air capture, the atmosphere will be cleaned and purged of harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide. It is similar to scrubbing technology used in power plants, but applies that same concept to the entire atmosphere. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), direct air capture is still a fairly new technology with great potential in terms of upward scalability. Similarly, ocean-based carbon removal techniques have been tested and anticipated to have immense positive ecological impacts. The WRI claims that the most cost-effective approach would be to develop and deploy
several potential technologies in tandem. Subsequently, another valuable option would be to phase out the use of petrol fuel and replace it with Algal biofuels (comparatively a more spatially
efficient option compared to other biofuel feedstocks and 20 times more efficient than the most efficient oil-seed crop). These options need to be seriously researched and considered to be implemented in the near future. This is crucial to the betterment of Virginia’s climate future.
Costs & Resource Requirements:
The expansion and potential use of DAC technology can be expensive, but is necessary. American University presents technology developers’ cost estimates for direct air capture to range from 20 to 200 USD depending on a variety of other factors such as the scale of use, moving parts necessary, and more. Similarly, the lipid extraction needed to produce algal biofuels can also be an expensive and time-consuming venture. It is difficult to determine the exact cost; however, in 2019 researchers at the University of Utah came up with a potentially game-changing jet mixer method that decreases both time and monetary cost. The benefits of implementing this policy will far outweigh the costs. Not only will we protect the health of VA citizens by reducing CO2 emissions, but the state will also be taking a step in the right direction for the betterment of our environment.
Sources & Further Reading:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm8_037652.htm https://www.eia.gov/environment/emissions/state/
http://www.vcnva.org/curbing-vehicle-pollution/#:~:text=INTRODUCTION,our%20carbon%20 dioxide%20pollution1.&text=Virginia%20needs%20innovation%20and%20bold%20leadership %20to%20address%20these%20problems.
https://www.american.edu/sis/centers/carbon-removal/upload/fcea_wps002_ishimoto.pdf https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/GreenhouseGasPlan.aspx
Primary Author: Mahima Suresh
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Environmental Partnership Bill
To be written into a bill, prefiled, and introduced to the VAGA 2021 Session. Context of the Issue:
Environmentalism is a movement that is essential to helping current and future generations survive on Earth. The use of research to better implement environmental change in communities is a common practice, especially with university partnerships. University partnerships are both beneficial to surrounding communities and the universities themselves. It provides opportunities for students and faculty to participate in real-world experiences and use their research and teachings to help others. The Carnegie classification for Community Engagement was established in 2006 to recognize colleges and universities that excel at helping communities improve, and more than 300 colleges qualified by 2010, recent additions to the list being Virginia Wesleyan University, Averett University, University of Richmond, Old Dominion University, and James Madison University. Examples of partnerships include that of the Global Universities Partnership on Environment for Sustainability (GUPES), established by the United Nations. Created in 2012, this program has had much success in bringing leaders together and pushing for sustainability in global communities. This partnership was able to help the students of the University of Nairobi revitalize the role of University labs and Colleges as the centers for research and innovation to address challenges regarding sustainability in their communities. Spreading awareness and knowledge is important in mobilizing progress, and funding towards this cause is needed to further connect places of higher education and their resources to surrounding communities in need.
Summary of Proposed Solution:
The Environmental Partnership Bill would provide grants and funding towards environmental projects, aiming to increase collaboration specifically between environmental departments at Universities and Environmental organizations in communities and cities. With this bill implemented, educated steps to better address environmental concerns in cities and communities in Virginia would make any progress made effective and well-researched. The VAYCC supports this bill because it is an effective approach to making sustainable change in our communities. Legislators should prioritize this bill as well because it can prevent further damage to our environment and any emergency costs that are created by climate collapse in the future. This bill would protect people vulnerable to climate change, such as Farmers, those in the Fishing sector, and Coastal towns such as Alexandria, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach from climate collapse. With the livelihoods of many Virginians at risk, pushing forward with this bill is critical to the health of the State and the economic sustainability of jobs in Virginia.
Costs & Resource Requirements:
Funding and grants for research for colleges can range enormously depending on the scale of the project pursued by the universities and the amount of research available prior to the partnership efforts. Funding will be expensive but can be justified as an investment that will give back to our
state in future years, as local economies have a better chance of staying afloat and our ecosystem will be further away from collapse. The prioritization of the environmental health of communities is crucial to preserving the health and wellness of Virginians as well. Taking a scientific approach to this delicate situation is the best way to ensure a positive, long-lasting impact on our environment that will enormously benefit all residents of Virginia.
Sources & Further Reading:
https://www.georgetownclimate.org/files/report/understanding-virginias-vulnerability-to-climate -change.pdf
https://community-wealth.org/strategies/panel/universities/index.html
https://www.unenvironment.org/es/node/10655
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bdX3pEIM68m-K4QpDVCtce2470kDzDAZtFYfzhbS EFk/
https://community-wealth.org/strategies/panel/universities/index.html
