Issue Position: Environment and Climate Change

Issue Position

Our environment is our most precious resource, and I have spent my life working to protect it and combat climate change. I have lived through and been personally affected by several natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and several floods, to know that climate change is one of the greatest crises of our generation.

That's why I, along with other concerned citizens in Loudoun and Prince William Counties, started Zero Carbon Virginia, an organization of concerned citizens devoted to bringing Virginia's energy industry into the 21st century. We introduced the Renewables First Act (HB 1686), a bill that places a moratorium on all new fossil fuel capacity construction until renewable energy generation facilities with a capacity of at least 5,500 megawatts are in operation. Unfortunately, it, like other clean energy legislation, was rejected immediately by the House of Delegates.

We must reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and move to more sustainable energy sources to mitigate the economic, environmental and social costs of fossil fuels. We can do so while creating high quality green jobs that protect and retrain workers. I will support legislation like the Renewables First Act or Renewable Portfolio Standards that help us take bold steps towards making Virginia a leader in clean energy.

Finally, we must also preserve the green spaces and rural heritage that make Loudoun County and Prince William County so beautiful. I will work to ensure that we protect our natural resources and open spaces.

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