*"Establish[ing] statewide targets for at least an 80 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and establish an inventory based on the Climate Registry System."
*"Establish[ing] a Public Benefits Fund to provide financial incentives for conservation and energy efficiency."
*"Establish[ing] a program for decentralized residential solar, wind and similar renewable energy production."
*"Strengthen[ing] mandatory energy efficiency building codes and support local government's enforcement of codes."
*"Revamp[ing] the State's Transportation Plan and policies to shift funding priorities away from
major new highway building and expansion" to public transit, "rail for freight, beginning on I-81," and "local support for increased bicycle and pedestrian access."
*Tying "state funding to policies that will enable local governments to maximize transportation
and location efficiency in community design."
*"Plac[ing] a moratorium on new coal and nuclear plants."
Except for the moratorium on nuclear power, I strongly support the Sierra Club's energy plan and its goal of reducing Virginia's CO2 emissions 80% by 2050. I hope that Gov. Kaine's energy plan is at least as robust as the Sierra Club's!
GOVERNOR KAINE RELEASES VIRGINIA ENERGY PLAN~ Plan could reduce energy growth by 40%, reduce greenhouse emissions by 30%, increase in-state energy production by 20% ~
RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today released the Virginia Energy Plan, a proposal to promote the Commonwealth's energy independence and to educate consumers on energy conservation and efficiency. The Plan was required by the 2006 General Assembly, and was prepared by a broad-based advisory group representing citizens, consumers, the environmental community, and Virginia energy producers.
The Plan would reduce the rate of growth in energy use by 40 percent, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, and seeks to increase in-state energy production by 20 percent. The Plan also calls for expanded consumer energy education, and capitalizes on areas where Virginia has a strategic advantage for economic development and research and development.
"We make many day-to-day decisions that affect whether we use energy wisely or whether we waste it. We also make long-term choices that affect energy use, such as choices about the houses we live in, the cars we drive, and whether we are using energy efficiently in our businesses," said Governor Kaine. "I look forward to reviewing these recommendations as we continue to work to develop a clear blueprint to address the energy challenges we face."
The Plan establishes four broad goals for energy:
* The first goal calls for increased energy independence through expanded conservation and efficiency, and increased in-state energy production. The conservation and efficiency actions could reduce the growth rate of energy use by 40 percent, resulting in a leveling of per-capita energy use over time. The Plan calls for increasing in-state energy production by 20 percent through expanded production of traditional, renewable, and biofuel sources.
* The Plan calls for expanded consumer education on energy use. Increased educational efforts will arm citizens with the information they need to make smart decisions about how they use energy.
* The Plan recognizes that energy policy and environmental policy have become closely intertwined, setting a target to reduce 2025 baseline greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent. The Plan also recommends the creation of a Climate Change Commission, which would assess the level of Virginia's carbon emissions, assess what the consequences might be for Virginia if climate change is not addressed, and address what other actions Virginia should take to meet this goal.
* The Plan also sets a goal to capitalize on economic development opportunities and increase research and development in four strategic areas - nuclear technologies, alternate transportation fuels, coastal energy production, and carbon capture and storage.
Governor Kaine released the Virginia Energy Plan at Virginia Commonwealth University, where Stephen Walz, Senior Advisor for Energy Policy to the Governor, presented the University with 1,800 compact fluorescent bulbs for installation on campus.
"Our next steps are to turn the Plan's recommendations into action," Walz said. "We are looking forward to working with the Governor's Energy Policy Advisory Council as we implement the recommendations of the Plan."
The Commonwealth recently purchased 27,000 compact fluorescent bulbs to replace incandescent bulbs in facilities across the state. Use of these bulbs should save Virginia taxpayers over $125,000 per year, and reduce electric use equivalent to the amount used by 1300 homes. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1,100 metric tons per year.
The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy will be distributing 20,000 additional compact fluorescent bulbs at the State Fair of Virginia as part of Energy Conservation Awareness Week and to highlight Virginia's first Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday from October 5th through October 8th.
STATEMENT ON VIRGINIA ENERGY PLAN~responsible goals for Virginia's future~
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran made the following statement about the release of Governor Kaine's 'Virginia Energy Plan.' Delegate Moran has been repeatedly recognized as a legislative leader by the League of Conservation Voters.
"I'm proud to support the goals of Governor Kaine's energy plan and share his vision of increasing energy independence and reducing global warming. There is no issue more important to preserving our quality of life.
The goals set forth in this plan are some of the most ambitious goals in the nation and, rightly, place Virginia at the forefront of the fight to preserve our environmental future.
I look forward to announcing specific legislative proposals to begin towards these goals of reducing the rate of growth in energy use by 40%, reducing greenhouse gas emission by 30% and increasing in-state energy production by 20%. These goals represent responsible measures for Virginia's future success."
Meanwhile, the plan seems particularly weak on renewables. There's a bit on biomass and wind, and some grants and...that's it?
I really hate to say it because I've long been a big fan of Tim Kaine, but this sounds like the Bush/Cheney Energy Plan -- written by industry to benefit industry, with a few tiny environmental concessions thrown in as fig leaves.
Governor, you can do better than that.
- What does "coastal energy production" mean? I'm guessing it's drilling for oil off the Virginia coast.
- Nuclear energy? The kind that requires billions in public subsidies and still can't turn a profit?
- Cutting the rate of growth of energy use and greenhouse gas production? If you're going to put that in there, you might as well fund swimming lessons for polar bears, they're going to need them with no summer Arctic sea ice.
But don't worry, free light bulbs for everybody!
Where's a renewable portfolio standard? Where's cutting our greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, the amount scientists say is needed to avoid the worst effects of global warming? Where's decoupling?
Gov. Kaine, what are you thinking?
Governor Kaine, Ask yourself:
Are you doing
your part to
ENERGIZE AMERICA?Are you ready
to do your part?
Slowing growth via efficiency? Wow ... what a shockingly aggressive concept ... Perhaps aggressive would be to seek to match California and turn back the clock so that Virginia per capita electrical usage were the same as 30 years ago. (Note -- California has flat per capita electricity use despite 30 years of economic growth and the introduction of many new electrical devices. Virginia has had over 60% per capita growth in that same period. There is a lot of missing efficiency in Virginia life ...)