Here is an advance copy of the program schedule for the Energy Technology Summit which was held on April 7, followed by its coverage in the Bristol Herald Courier.
Some of you may be too young to know that "NINA" on a New York City job posting in the early 1900's meant, "No Irish Need Apply."
Please note the following:
1. There were no scheduled speakers from the environmental community. The program even specifies "comments are closed." Closed to whom? Closed to all but the rich execs?
2. Although the site of the conference was the University of Virginia's College at Wise, it was held in a room with seating for only 100 people. Could they possibly have been fearful of public participation?
3. The link below indicates all 100 of these seats were sold out by March 12. Why am I not surprised?
4. Note in the picture the room seems filled with older, moderately obese white men in suits. Do you see any women, any people of color, any younger people? What does this say to you?
Program as distributed on March 12
BHC story from April 8
Congressman Boucher is the chair of the House Subcommittee on Energy. He also represents all of Virginia's coal-producing counties and described himself as "historically a skeptic of mandatory controls for greenhouse gas emissions."But he didn't pander to the audience. Instead Congressman Boucher gave a straight-ahead and candid speech in which he admitted that "human activity is causing climate change" and the U.S. "has an obligation to adopt" comprehensive and national carbon emission standards. He said it is "inevitable" that this will occur and gave an 80% chance of it occurring in the 2009 Congress, if not earlier.
Essentially, Congressman Boucher recommended a "cap and trade" system which allows slow adopters to buy carbon credits while they gradually change their business to 21st century realities. He stated that he was getting industry cooperation on Federal legislation (as if there's a choice) and that the goal was a 60-80% goal in carbon reductions by 2050 -- the same goal stated by national climate control panels.
http://www.smartergrowth.net/a...
Governor Kaine will be in Falls Church this Saturday, April 12. He is hosting a town hall meeting at Luther Jackson Middle School from 1:00 - 2:30 PM. Talk to the Governor about the biggest challenges facing Northern Virginia -- traffic, growth, and how we're going to pay for it all.Ask for Better Growth Management
Governor Kaine campaigned on promises of better local growth control and links between land use and transportation. We need to remind him how important these reforms are to the future of our community.Some ideas for what to say:
* I am opposed to Senate Bill 768 under which Virginia homebuilders tried to pass more costs of development onto taxpayes. I'm glad it's on hold for a year for further study, but it will come up again during the 2009 General Assembly session. What is your position on this bill?
* New development comes with a very high price tag for the required infrastructure and services, and taxpayers carry too much of the burden. As Virginia debates the best way to plan and pay for new growth, will citizens have a seat at the table?
* Rising energy prices and climate change require a fundamental shift in the way Virginia grows and I am glad you appointed a Climate Commission. Compact, walkable development and transit are key solutions for reducing CO2 emissions from transportation. What steps can you take to support these solutions?
* The state provided millions of dollars in subsidies to VW and its 600 employees to move to the Dulles Corridor from Detroit, yet the VW offices will be up to a mile away from the proposed rail stations. Shouldn't state subsidies support your goals for smarter growth and reducing traffic?