Policy Proposals on Climate for the 2022 VAGA Session
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. For the past 2 years, VAYCC has
been working on a series of policy proposals. The Policy Director of our organization, Mrudula Rapaka, has worked with her legislative assistants (Pendaar Pooyan, Andrea Villafuerte, and Mahima Suresh) as well as the Science Research Director, Noyanika Vattathara, on eleven of these policy proposals for the Virginia General Assembly to consider for the 2022 session. These proposals reflect the goals and demands VAYCC is advocating to implement during 2022.
Primary Author: Mrudula Rapaka
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: The Virginia Air Data Bill
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 Session.
Context of the issue:
In the past few years, although many Virginian cities have been steadily decreasing overall year-round particle pollution levels, many threats to Virginia’s air quality remain. Data from 2018 shows that levels of ground-level ozone (also known as “smog”), that occurs when emissions from combusting fossil fuels react with sunlight, have reached unhealthy levels on certain days. However, it is difficult to assess more in-depth and accurate air pollution levels due to the fact that many counties in Virginia do not have stable and efficient data monitoring stations. The American Lung Association’s pollution report card for Virginia states that almost all of the state’s counties have no monitors collecting data. Unless each county has a monitor to collect and report accurate air pollution levels, it is impossible to combat the urgent issue of air pollution. Air pollution issues such as high smog and soot levels are not just harmful for the environment, but also for the citizens of Virginia. High levels of smog irritate the eyes and throat and can also damage the lungs of children, elderly, those who have asthma or allergies, or those who are frequently outside. Hazardous air pollutants can also pose more long-term and deadly damage, such as nervous system and organ damage. If more action is not taken to effectively combat air pollution in Virginia, irreparable damage will occur to the environment. For these reasons, VAYCC strongly recommends implementing the following policy regarding the implementation of more air quality monitoring stations.
Summary of Proposed Solution:
The Virginia Air Data Bill will work to gradually implement air data monitoring stations in each of Virginia’s counties. Virginia’s Office of Air Quality Monitoring will be the primary state agency to oversee this operation. These stations will replicate the already existing stations across the state in terms of technology and structure. Additionally, these stations will follow all existing regulations and guidelines regarding data collection and measurement. Since it is fiscally difficult to immediately implement data monitoring stations in all of Virginia’s counties, cities with higher smog and soot levels will be considered a priority. The data collected from these monitoring stations can then be used to aid governmental decision-making. Ensuring accurate data about air quality levels is available is the first step in combating this severe and urgent problem.
Costs & Resource Requirements:
It is difficult to estimate the exact fiscal costs of constructing new data monitoring stations, but it will require a significant amount of funding. However, the benefits of ensuring that statewide data is available far outweigh the financial costs. Both the citizens and the environment of
Virginia will greatly benefit, citizen health will improve, and the state as a whole will be in a much better condition.
Sources & Further Reading:
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know#sec3
https://patch.com/virginia/kingstowne/counties-virginia-most-air-pollution
http://www.stateoftheair.org/city-rankings/states/virginia/
https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/AirQualityMonitoringData.aspx
https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/0/DEQ/Air/AirMonitoring/Annual_Report_2016.pdf
Primary Author: Pendaar Pooyan
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Fracking Isn’t An Option Act
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 Session.
Context of issue:
Hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as “fracking”) is one method of natural gas extraction that involves drilling an “L-shaped” pipeline into the ground. Despite its lower emissions when compared to coal, there are numerous health risks associated with fracking. It can pollute groundwater, which harms the health of local ecosystems and communities. Luckily, in the 2020 VA legislative session, the General Assembly passed a law banning fracking in the Eastern VA Groundwater Management Area (nearly all land east of I-95 in Virginia). Since fracking is a large part of the Virginia economy, having been promoted as a way to shut down coal plants, there are many considerations for a fracking ban to address. With hydraulic fracturing employing many Virginians and serving an integral role in the state’s economy, it would be unwise to immediately terminate all fracking operations.
Summary of Proposed Solution:
The VA legislature should ask the Council on Environmental Justice and the relevant sub-departments of the VA Department of Environmental Quality to study how to proceed with a gradual ban on fracking. This study would assess the economic impacts of the issue, job displacement, the environmental pollution from fracking, and any disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities. From the information gathered in this study, the Council can issue a report to the legislature and the Governor regarding the best way to shut down fracking operations in Virginia while safeguarding the economic future of the state and its citizens. Costs and resource requirements:
Since this bill only asks for the state to further study such a wide-ranging issue, the only costs that could arise is in making sure any experts that need to be consulted may be compensated for their time if the need should arise.
Sources/further reading:
https://riverfriends.org/fracking/
https://www.dmme.virginia.gov/dgo/HydraulicFracturing.shtml
https://www.fredericksburg.com/opinion/editorial-no-need-for-fracking-in-virginia/article_b1a6d226–1d1a-5ed8–8b1a-a5c4fd40e18f.htmlhttps://www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/news-feed/virginia-lawmakers-ban-fracking-east-of-i-95
http://www.vcnva.org/fracking/
https://www.sierraclub.org/virginia/fracking
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/9/12/20857196/democratic-debate-climate-
change-fracking-ban
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Total-fracking-ban-Bernie-Sanders-Elizabeth-15090868.php
https://chesapeakeclimate.org/maryland/fracking/
Primary Author: Andrea Villafuerte
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Act to Incentivize the Purchase of Zero Emission State Vehicles
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 Session.
Context of the Issue:
Fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the air, causing the atmosphere to warm. As a result, all the forms of transportation burning these fuels are prompting the extreme changes to the climate that we see today. In fact, transportation accounts for approximately 29% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the US, the largest
contributor of all greenhouse gas emissions in the country. Because of this, it is essential to take more steps now to further incentivize the use of carbon-free transportation. Zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) emit no exhaust gas and prevent the release of any harmful emissions during operation. These come in three distinct forms; plug-in hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicles,
and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Each ZEV that replaces a conventional car saves approximately 1.5 tons of CO2 per year. We have the technology to significantly improve one important piece of greenhouse gas emissions. It is critical for Virginia’s government to place more regulations to ensure that the most possible fuel-efficient vehicles replace the least fuel-efficient vehicles from the state’s motor fleet. In the 2020 session, HB714 calls for the “[development of] carbon-free energy resources required to fully decarbonize the electric power supply of the Commonwealth, including deployment of 30 percent renewables by 2030 and realizing 100 percent carbon-free electric power by 2040.” It is clear that converting to carbon-free power in the next two decades is already on the agenda, but direct legislation limiting the purchase of carbon-emitting state vehicles has not been put in place yet. For this reason, VAYCC recommends the following policy regarding the purchase of state vehicles.
Summary of Proposed Solution:
The solution we offer would require the Virginia General Assembly to impose a new zero-emissions requirement for state vehicles. The state would gradually limit the purchases and leases of state vehicles to solely zero-emission vehicles starting at a defined year. Other states have created this goal for themselves , Massachusetts being one of them , and they have defined
that this plan will ultimately be set in place in 2024, allowing four years to find affordable replacements and transition appropriately. Virginia should place a similar goal for the transition of state vehicle purchases to only zero emissions. This would also require further encouraging the development of commercial fueling infrastructure at or around state vehicle fueling and
parking places. The VAYCC supports this proposal because it is a necessary step in improving greenhouse gas emissions that arise from vehicles. If the state transitions to limiting the purchase of conventional state vehicles, more people will be forced to use zero-emission vehicles. It will also incentivize others to convert to these vehicles as they will become more common, more
affordable, and it will be easier to fuel the vehicles with the development of commercial fueling infrastructure. Furthermore, in 2018 the US imported 11% of the petroleum that was consumed, with transportation accounting for nearly three-fourths of this consumption. Therefore, using more energy-efficient vehicles will support the American economy by reducing the impact of international supply disruptions as well as diversifying Virginia’s transportation fleet. All of this improves energy security [the association between national security and the availability of natural resources for energy consumption] in the country. Additionally, electric vehicles reduce fuel costs dramatically because of the high efficiency of electric-drive components.
Costs and Resource Requirements:
Guided by Massachusetts established prices, rebates under this law will be over $1500 per vehicle, and no rebate will be available for vehicles over $50,000. This may be slightly different in Virginia but will likely be similar. Funding must also be allocated for expanding fueling sources. Despite these costs, the cost of delaying these crucial actions to shift Virginia’s transportation fleet are far greater. The state must take every action to improve the crisis we are facing and ensure that our air is no longer polluted so heavily by outdated conventional vehicles that we have feasible replacements for. Although purchase prices may be significantly higher for
electric vehicles, fueling is usually far cheaper than conventional vehicles. In addition, as production increases and battery technology advances, prices are likely to decrease as time goes on.
Sources and Further Reading:
https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/what-zev
https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme807/node/671
https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB907
https://climate-xchange.org/2020/01/23/mass-senates-climate-bills-overview-summary-context/
https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/all?state=CA
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_benefits.html
Primary Author: Andrea Villafuerte
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Act to Add Climate Change to the Public School Curriculum
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 Session.
Context of the Issue:
In Virginia and throughout the country we are all witnessing the effects of the climate crisis. Rising sea levels, superstorms, and blazing hot summers intensify each year, and countless studies demonstrate that without immediate action it will continue to worsen. Legislative action is necessary, but even more importantly the state must take action to educate its citizens about the pressing state of affairs. The long-term future of the environment and the world is in the hands of the youth. Additionally, this generation of students will feel the direct effects of climate change more than any other. In order to best prepare the next generation of workers and leaders, they must be informed about the climate crisis and how to best tackle it. According to an NPR poll, 80% of American parents and 90% of teachers expressed that they would like to see climate change taught in schools.
Summary of Proposed Solution:
The solution we offer is a public school curriculum that integrates information about climate change and the crisis at hand. This education about the environment will be incorporated across several core subjects, including History, Science, English, Math, World Languages, and Health and Physical Education. Teachers of all different subjects will need to be educated and prepare material on these subjects — specificity should differ based on grade level. Furthermore, once the curriculum is finalized, it will be reviewed and revised by teachers, administrators, university faculty, as well as receiving public input. This curriculum should be designed, and piloted in the
next one-to-two school years. Ultimately, this will prepare students to think critically and work collaboratively. After New Jersey opted to implement such a curriculum, Governor Murphy said, “these skills will be more important than ever as today’s young minds learn how to address the issue of climate change.” VAYCC supports this proposal because education about such an issue
beginning at a young age is critical for change. As New Jersey congressman Frank Pallone said, “the K-12 climate change education guidelines will prepare young New Jerseyans to build a safe and prosperous future for generations to come.” Virginia too can become a leader in educating their youth and prioritizing knowledge and critical thinking. Finally, this initiative is not excessively costly and will have only positive impacts on the quality of education.
Costs and Resource Requirements:
In order to integrate climate change learning, teachers must be properly educated about the subject. This may come in the form of clear instructions of what each grade should be learning in each class and the teachers could perhaps take an online class to ensure that accurate information is being taught. This may have some low costs, but it should not be too costly. VAYCC
emphasizes the importance of compensating teachers for their flexibility to incorporate new material. VAYCC proposes that teachers who participate in the pilot curriculum should be given substantial compensation due to their commitment to expanding their area of teaching. Other resources and costs will depend on each school’s decisions.
Sources and Further Reading:
https://patch.com/new-jersey/morristown/nj-be-first-state-add-climate-change-curriculum
https://www.ecowatch.com/new-jersey-schools-climate-science-curriculum-2646152515.html?rebelltitem=5#rebelltitem5
Primary Author: Mrudula Rapaka
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Virginia Project Environmental Quality Act
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 Session.
Context of the issue:
Every single day, hundreds of infrastructure projects, such as constructing roads or buildings, are taking place all over Virginia. Each of these projects has a unique impact on the environment, whether it be increased carbon emissions, deforestation of surrounding land, or the depletion of natural resources. In order to assess the impact of these projects, current Virginia code requires all state agencies conducting major state projects to submit environmental impact reports (EIRs), which report any potential environmental effects. Although this may seem beneficial to Virginia’s environmental health, it is also very limiting, as the phrase “major state project” only includes the acquisition of an interest in land for any state facility construction or the construction of any facility or expansion of an existing facility undertaken by any state authority that costs over $500,000. This code leaves out many other projects that may have a significant impact on the environment, especially private developments. Therefore, other non-governmental projects that would be detrimental to the environment are not required to submit an EIR. In the past, there have been several incidents in which private developments have posed destructive impacts on the environment. The submission of an EIR would have opened up prior discussion about these projects and could have possibly even combatted their risk. For these reasons, VAYCC recommends implementing the following policy regarding the expansion of EIR submissions.
Summary of Proposed Solution:
Modeled off of the California Environmental Quality Act, a Virginia Project Environmental Quality Act would require organizations to submit an environmental impact report on all major projects that require a state permit and would have a potentially significant impact on the environment. An environmental impact report informs the public and public agency
decision-makers of significant environmental effects of proposed projects, identifies possible ways to minimize those effects, and describes reasonable alternatives to those projects. The public would then be allowed to comment on the impact report and the organization must respond to the comments. Additionally, if the project may pose major environmental threats, the
organization must alleviate these threats. If a project presents no possible environmental threats, the organization can then submit a “Negative Declaration” document that clearly states its zero impact. EIRs also ensure that the environmental impact of these projects is open to public view and criticism. Enforcing the submission of EIRs is a step in eliminating unnecessary harms from these projects.
Costs and Resource Requirements:
The adoption of a Virginia Project Environmental Quality Act would not require many resources or pose dramatic costs. In order to accommodate an EIR submitted for every single public project that requires a state permit, an improvement of the current records database is necessary.
Sources and Further Reading:
https://www.watereducation.org/aquapedia/california-environmental-quality-act
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title10.1/chapter11.1/section10.1-1188/#:~:text=%C2%A7%2
010.1%2D1188.,impact%20reports%20on%20major%20projects.&text=All%20state%20agenci
es%2C%20boards%2C%20authorities,on%20each%20major%20state%20project.
https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-guides/environmental-impact-reports#:~:text
=Environmental%20Impact%20Reports%20(or%20EIRs,reasonable%20alternatives%20to%20t
hose%20projects.
https://opr.ca.gov/ceqa/#:~:text=The%20California%20Environmental%20Quality%20Act%20(
CEQA)%20generally%20requires%20state%20and,impacts%20to%20the%20extent%20feasible
Primary Author: Andrea Villafuerte
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Act to Reform Public Utility Climate Oversight
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 Session.
Context of the Issue:
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in each region of Virginia plays a key role in overseeing energy in the forms of natural gas, water, wastewater, storm water, and electric street lighting. This department serves both residential and commercial customers, illuminates the city with street lights, and maintains the sewer system. The use of water energy is essential in eventually replacing fossil energy sources. Natural gas, although cleaner than other fossil fuel sources, has been shown to have negative effects on air pollution. Additionally, fracking for natural gas is extremely destructive and pollutes the surrounding water sources, often poisoning local communities and/or the ecosystem. Therefore, it is important for the DPU to use climate
change in its energy considerations, especially because there is no current legislation requiring the inclusion of these impacts.
Summary of Proposed Solution:
The solution we offer would require Virginia to instruct the DPU to establish a new mission statement. In this mission, they must include climate change impacts in the departments’ regulatory considerations. The Massachusetts government recently incorporated a similar bill, and they additionally required their DPU to balance five priorities in their climate considerations:
reliability of supply, affordability, public safety, physical and cyber security, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. VAYCC calls on Virginia to do the same, guiding the individual departments to oversee energy in relation to its immediate and long-term environmental impacts. VAYCC supports this solution because transitioning to alternative forms of energy is necessary
to improve the climate crisis in Virginia. Without considering and registering the specific impacts of public utilities on the environment and additions to climate change, it will be more difficult to understand how forms of energy are affecting the environment as a whole. This bill will also be very beneficial in setting the next steps of comprehensive climate policy on the right track.
Costs and Resource Requirements:
There will be little to no cost in updating the mission statement and requirements of the DPU. However, there will be some costs as members of the DPU will need to be educated on climate change; personnel will have to analyze and record climate change impacts; and down the line, it will be more costly to use more clean energy sources. It is difficult to predict the exact costs of these requirements, but the first step of this legislation is very affordable and will have immeasurable positive effects on the future of the environment.
Sources and Further Reading:
http://www.richmondgov.com/PublicUtilities/index.aspx
https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/environmental-impacts-natural-gas
https://climate-xchange.org/2020/01/23/mass-senates-climate-bills-overview-summary-context/
Primary Author: Mrudula Rapaka
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: The New E-Virginia: Adopting a Revolutionary E-Transportation System
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 Session.
Context of the issue:
Transportation is a major source of Virginia’s greenhouse gas emissions, emitting 45% of our carbon dioxide pollution. In recent years, Virginia has been cutting down on emissions coming from the power sector, such as fossil fuels. However, little has been done to address emissions from transportation. Around 75% of Virginia’s commuters drive to work alone, and each passenger vehicle emits 28 pounds of carbon dioxide a day. Since approximately 3 million Virginia drivers commute to work alone in a passenger vehicle, millions and millions of pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted everyday. As parts of Virginia become more urban, transportation emissions will likely increase. More action must be taken to reduce the severe amounts of
pollution from transportation. One possible mode of transportation that has reduced emissions levels is the use of electrically-powered bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. Although the usage of e-bicycles, e-skateboards, e-scooters, and other small transportation devices is legal, not many Virginian citizens actually utilize them due to an overall lack of awareness. For these reasons,
VAYCC recommends implementing the following policy regarding e transportation.
Summary of Proposed Solution:
The purpose of this bill is to promote the usage of e-transportation devices such as bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc. This will be done through increasing the amount of bike trails in Virginia and opening them up to these e-devices. Additionally, many major cities across the country have e-bike and scooter sharing programs, in which a citizen can rent the device using
their smartphone, utilize it for a certain period of time and then return it to the sharing location. The implementation of these sharing platforms in major Virginia cities will facilitate the adoption of these e-transportation devices. Promotion can also be done through public aid campaigns and events hosted by local governments in which citizens are encouraged to pursue the use of these devices. The encouragement of e-transportation devices such as scooters, bikes, and skateboards will not just benefit citizens and the environment, but also the economy. In 2017 alone, e-bike sales were up 91% from the previous year, totaled $77.1 million. Additionally, electric scooters
are the most popular form of shared transportation in the country, surpassing even buses and cars. To conclude, the promotion of e-transportation is essential in lowering carbon emissions.
Costs and Resource Requirements:
Although implementing a public e-transportation system will require a significant amount of funds, it will result in much greater benefits. As e-transportation grows, the need for other forms of public transport will decrease.
Sources and Further Reading:
http://www.vcnva.org/curbing-vehicle-pollution/#:~:text=Transportation%20is%20the%20largest%20source,living%20near%20heavily%20trafficked%20roads.
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ebikes#:~:text=Commonwealth%20of%20Virginia%20law%20allows,wherever%20regular%20bicycles%20are%20allowed.
https://www.livestories.com/statistics/virginia/transportation-commute
https://www.businessinsider.com/shared-electric-scooters-surge-overtaking-docked-bikes-20194#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Electric,and%20cars%20in%20the%20U.S.&text=There%20were%20more%20than%2085%2C000,with%2057%2C000%20station%2Dbased%20bikes.
https://www.itdp.org/2019/12/06/new-itdp-report-helps-cities-plug-e-bikes-and-e-scooters-into-their-transport-networks/
Primary Author: Pendaar Pooyan
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Virginia Environmental Restitution Act
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 Session.
Context of issue:
While many people know Virginia has a long history of racism, not everyone knows about environmental racism in the Old Dominion. Take the story of Union Hill, VA, in Buckingham County. Dominion Energy wanted to build a compressor station for its pipeline, and they chose Union Hill as the site for that station. Union Hill is a predominantly African-American community, and it was founded by emancipated slaves after the U.S. Civil War. As such, building the station would have dramatically harmed the health and livelihood of the community, and it was hard for the residents of Union Hill to raise their voices because not many would listen to them over Dominion Energy. Fortunately, a federal court listened, and in early 2020 this court ruled that Dominion could not have a gas permit to build the compressor station in Union Hill. Despite this victory, racial disparities continue in how Black Virginians are impacted by the climate crisis or other forms of environmental injustice. As seen already with the disproportionate COVID-19 deaths amongst Black and Latino people in VA, there is a large racial disparity in healthcare within Virginia. Such healthcare issues only exacerbate the effects of climate change (especially the temperature rise and chaotic, unpredictable weather associated with it). The placement of fossil fuel infrastructure in Virginia already has racial biases: one bill introduced in the 2020 VA legislative session, SB 992, would have made the state Air Pollution
Board permit any fossil fuel projects proposed three years before June 2019. Amongst those projects were two expansions of fossil fuel infrastructure in Charles City County, which is majority-minority, including the harmful proposed Chickahominy Gas Plant. While this proposal luckily failed in the VA House of Delegates, it shows that the issue of environmental racism has
not disappeared in Virginia. In the 2020 legislative session, Virginia passed HB 1042, which authorizes the creation of a Virginia Council on Environmental Justice. Just as states California, Washington, or Massachusetts before it, Virginia is taking the right steps to integrate
environmental justice into its decision-making. However, there are further steps that must be taken.
Summary of proposed solutions:
Since environmental justice has been determined as a state goal in the VA State Code, and a Council on Environmental Justice has been created, now is the time to make good on these promises and go further. The Council should be given the prerogative of studying and developing a proposal of environmental reparations to the marginalized communities in Virginia who have been especially harmed by fossil fuel infrastructure coupled with health disparities. While it is important that Virginia has committed to making environmental justice in decision making, that cannot make up for the current disparities that exist as a result of environmental injustice. In this context, the word disparities includes any fossil fuel infrastructure that was built and
disproportionately harmed an environmental justice community, not only by polluting, but from the health hazards those projects pose. The Council should establish the best terminology and definitions to guide the understanding of what reparations would entail and who would be impacted. This is a complex issue that the Council should take up and study the best way to address it in later legislation.
Costs and Resource requirements:
Since the Council already exists, this legislation would only conceivably require any resources that would be used to gather expertise on the issue of environmental reparations, especially when it comes to BIPOC communities.
Sources and Further Reading:
www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/news-feed/court-delivers-win-for-union-hill-citizens-over-atlantic-coast-pipeline.
http://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-and-chair-grijalva-unveil-landmark-environmental-justice-bill.
http://richmondfreepress.com/news/2019/feb/22/gore-barber-decry-environmental-racism-va/
http://richmondfreepress.com/news/2019/oct/18/questions-swirl-about-state-naacps-relationship-do/
https://richmondfreepress.com/news/2018/dec/06/state-naacp-president-muddies-groups-stance-agains/
www.gettingmoreontheground.com/2019/10/30/environmental-racism-and-dominion-energy/
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/06/03/coronavirus-race-richmond-virginia
www.governor.virginia.gov/diversity/
www.ehn.org/environmental-racism-environmental-rollbacks-2645437251.html
https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/addressing-environmental-racism
Primary Author: Mrudula Rapaka
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Nuclear Energy Transition Bill
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 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. Compared to 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 on 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-industry/
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, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 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. 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_10232018–1.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: Mahima Suresh
Sponsor: VAYCC
Proposed bill: Environmental Partnership Bill
To be written into a bill, pre-filed, and introduced to the VAGA 2022 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-K4QpDVCtce2470kDzDAZtFYfzhbSEFk/
https://community-wealth.org/strategies/panel/universities/index.html
