2009 gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran yesterday addressed the Sierra Club and laid out a broad vision set to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
As we've previously reported, Moran favors a comprehensive energy policy which ranks conservation and alternative energy sources as highly as coal, nuclear, and natural gas. With yesterday's speech, he set out a vision that puts energy sustainability at the heart of broad policy:
The fact is that our challenges today are interconnected. Our transportation, land-use and energy policies effect our environment; our environmental policies and economic development plans affect each other.Leading this commonwealth requires an understanding that the challenges we face - and the solutions we seek - affect each other like never before.
That's why we must reject the false choice between growing our economy and protecting our environment. We can create jobs by investing in a 21st century energy economy. That means putting Virginians to work in good, high-paying jobs in green construction, bringing manufacturing jobs back by investing in wind turbines, and creating new industries by investing in alternative energy research.
Environmental advocates may be concerned with the shared emphasis on fossil and nuclear, but should give credit where credit is due. Between his call for an "Apollo program", and his assertion that success is "the legacy we leave to the next generation," Brian Moran has set the bar for responsible energy policy in the 2009 race. There's a lot for pragmatic progressives to appreciate in Moran's approach. Of the current contenders for the office, Moran is clearly leading this issue.
Moran Campaign Press Release:
Brian Moran Calls for New Environmental Leadership~ Important speech on the leadership needed for economic growth and innovation ~
CHESTERFIELD -Today House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran outlined his approach to the Commonwealth's environmental and energy challenges. Speaking to the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, Moran reviewed his experience, explained his values and discussed his vision for Virginia's energy economy and environmental future. Moran pledged a focus on economic growth while defining his measure of success as "the legacy we leave to the next generation."
The full text of his remarks is attached. This is the second in a series of important remarks on public policy challenges facing Virginia.
"We can create jobs by investing in a 21st century energy economy," Delegate Moran said. "That means putting Virginians to work in good, high-paying jobs in green construction, bringing manufacturing jobs back by investing in wind turbines and creating new industries by investing in alternative energy research."
During his remarks, he highlighted his work as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and chief legislative partner to Governors Warner and Kaine. He highlighted his long-time environmental record including his 100 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters in 2008. Moran discussed his work to promote LEED construction, create tax credits for renewable energy production, and invest in mass transit and rail.
"From the capitol in Richmond to the halls of Washington, it's going to take a joint commitment - the type of commitment we haven't seen since John Kennedy challenged us to land a man on the moon," said Moran. "It's going to take another Apollo mission to get this done. Virginia can't lead our nation, and our nation can't lead this world, if we stay behind in this race."
Delegate Moran outlined his commitment to fiscal responsibility on August 18th while addressing the Virginia Commissioners of Revenue and Treasurers Association in Roanoke.
Brian Moran is chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and a Delegate representing Alexandria City and Fairfax County. He is a former Arlington County prosecutor. Delegate Moran was recently named "Child Advocate of the Year" by the Virginia PTA and received a 100 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters in 2008.
Full remarks as prepared:
Remarks of Delegate Brian Moran to the Virginia Sierra Club Fall JamboreeSeptember 13, 2008 Good Afternoon. Thank you for that warm introduction. It's great to be here today to share my thoughts on protecting Virginia's environment. It's fitting that we're meeting here in Pocahontas State Park - the state's largest park. We need only look at the beauty around us to be reminded that environmental protection and conservation are not just policy positions; they are about the values we share and the legacy we want to leave to the next generation.
When I was 10 years old, I saved up the money I earned from mowing lawns to buy an acre of wooded land with a small creek running through it. And as I look back, I can see how the values I grew up with taught me a deep respect and appreciation for the environment - for our environment, values I've carried with me to this day. And these are values I'm passing on to my children - with a compost pile in the backyard and a six-year-old who knows exactly what to put in the recycling bin. Today, I still believe that every acre of land - every stream, wetland, seashore, mountaintop - every part of God's creation deserves our respect and protection.
And our commitment that they will be here for generations to come. Back when I was a local prosecutor, my wife Karyn and I were out to dinner with our friends Mark and Lisa -- that was back when we called him "Mark" not "Governor" - that night he suggested that I run for the House of Delegates. Sometimes, though, I wonder what would have happened if he would have just given me some stock tips, instead.
In the General Assembly, I've been proud to be your partner on important issues: Promoting green buildings and LEED standards for state construction; Creating a tax credit for renewable energy production; Establishing tele-work plans for state agencies and employees; Proposing a transportation plan that emphasized mass transit and rail because we need walkable, livable communities -- with fewer cars and smarter land-use planning; And I stood on the sands of Virginia Beach with the mayor and the Sierra Club to say "no" to offshore drilling.
The work you, and the 17,000 members of the Sierra Club do, make clear that we can address the issues that threaten our environment. And it's why I am so proud of my 100% rating from the League of Conservation Voters this year.
Your work is incredibly important. From your advocacy in the General Assembly and local government to education and your work in our schools, you're setting the bar high for all of us in elected office. You're holding our feet to the fire - thank you for doing that.
I believe decreasing our impact on the environment is essential. Just a few weeks ago, I purchased carbon offsets to neutralize the carbon footprint of the Virginia delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. That action alone will not solve the problem, but it is important for each of us to do our part.
I look forward to the day when we live in a more environmentally sustainable way and the cost of protecting our environment is built into the cost of doing business - when we can say that our economic activity is in sync with our environmental impact.
Since I've returned from the Democratic Convention - the first-ever green convention - I've been thinking it's disappointing that protecting our environment has become a partisan issue.
Whether it was Teddy Roosevelt, who set aside almost 200 million acres for preservation, or Richard Nixon, who created the Environmental Protection Agency, this used to be a bipartisan effort.
But these days the pro-environment Republican has become an endangered species.
Our commonwealth and our country need leaders who share our values, and who will stand up for future generations - because the stakes have never been higher.The fact is that our challenges today are interconnected. Our transportation, land-use and energy policies effect our environment; our environmental policies and economic development plans affect each other.
Leading this commonwealth requires an understanding that the challenges we face - and the solutions we seek - affect each other like never before.
That's why we must reject the false choice between growing our economy and protecting our environment. We can create jobs by investing in a 21st century energy economy. That means putting Virginians to work in good, high-paying jobs in green construction, bringing manufacturing jobs back by investing in wind turbines, and creating new industries by investing in alternative energy research.
As the Sierra Club recently reported, we can create 55,000 new jobs in Virginia with this kind of investment. We can start to build tomorrow's economy today.
Opportunities exist right here in Virginia. Whether it's working toward Virginia's first wind farm in Highland County, our switch grass plant in Chatham, or the biodiesel truck stop in Henry County, we can tackle climate change and create jobs.
Just recently, the Washington Post wrote about one state that's leading the way in wind energy -- a state that's doubled its wind capacity in the past 18 months, bringing new jobs and investments in research. That state is Colorado.
Folks, that needs to be us.We should be leading the way in wind, solar and biomass. Virginia should be getting those jobs. I can promise you one thing - if I'm fortunate enough to be elected your governor, they'll be writing those stories about us!
We should be investing in offshore wind, not offshore drilling. Offshore wind can supply 20% of our electricity needs here in Virginia. It's time we got serious about wind energy.
Let's be clear about this: We cannot drill our way out of the energy crisis. We can't cure our addiction to oil by drilling for more. We can't tackle 21st century problems with 19th century solutions.
And let's get serious about energy efficiency. It's one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions, save Virginians money and reduce our use of fossil fuels. In a recent report, Virginia ranked 38th in the nation for efficiency and conservation programs.
We must do better.
We have to start by putting smart meters in our homes, so that our families can use energy when it's the cheapest and use less of it and by making green buildings that are more energy efficient and cheaper to operate.
And we have to do more to conserve oil and gas with smarter, more efficient cars and transportation systems because the most important gallon of gas is the one we don't use.
And while we can't drill our way out of this problem, we can grow our way out of it, by investing in crops that produce biomass and biofuels.
Clearly, there is no single solution - no one way to solve this problem. And Virginia can't do it alone -- but we must do our part. We must invest in research and development, partnering with UVA, Virginia Tech, and all our great universities to ensure that future breakthroughs happen right here. Virginia can and should lead in this - one of the great challenges of the 21st century.
But doing all this won't be easy. From the capitol in Richmond to the halls of Washington, it's going to take a joint commitment - the type of commitment we haven't seen since John Kennedy challenged us to land a man on the moon. It's going to take another Apollo Mission to get this done. Virginia can't lead our nation, and our nation can't lead this world, if we stay behind in this race. This is a mission we can't postpone and a challenge we can't fail to meet.
Teddy Roosevelt set the standard for us all when he said, "The Nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets... which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value...and behaves badly if it leaves the land poorer to those who come after...."
People ask whether protecting our environment will help our economy, and it will. But this is about something greater.
Are we judged by how we best exploit our resources for economic gain? Or do we measure success by the legacy we leave behind?
We must act, as Roosevelt said, "So that our children will be richer, and not poorer because we have lived." That must be our standard. That is how we will be judged.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today and for all your hard work. Thank you and God bless you.
Second, I agree with Miles, I look forward to hearing specifics.
Third, there are a number of things I really like about this speech.
1. This is a great line: "I look forward to the day when we live in a more environmentally sustainable way and the cost of protecting our environment is built into the cost of doing business - when we can say that our economic activity is in sync with our environmental impact."
2. I couldn't agree more with this: "Whether it was Teddy Roosevelt, who set aside almost 200 million acres for preservation, or Richard Nixon, who created the Environmental Protection Agency, this used to be a bipartisan effort." Also, thanks for the shoutout to Teddy Roosevelt, one of my all-time favorite presidents (and the nation's greatest conservation president ever).
3. This is crucial: "That's why we must reject the false choice between growing our economy and protecting our environment."
4. Another great line: "We should be investing in offshore wind, not offshore drilling."
5. I'm VERY happy to see that Brian Moran "gets it" on energy efficiency (at least he does in this speech!): "...one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions, save Virginians money and reduce our use of fossil fuels." Exactly right, energy efficiency is BY FAR the biggest bang for the buck, not even close to anything else on the energy production or consumption side. This is a total no brainer.
OK, now what am I not as excited about?
1. Again, I want details, and lots of 'em. In fairness, this speech wasn't designed to do that. Nonetheless, what we need is an ambitious energy plan for Virginia which completely revamps our energy economy and puts us on a path towards 80% greenhouse gas emissions cuts by 2050. (that's 20% per decade, by the way, or 2% per year, and right now we're still INCREASING so that has to be turned around first). As the saying goes, "the devil's in the details," but they are what's going to determine whether we reach our goals or not.
2. I want explicit goals laid out, not just generalities. I want a commitment to what the science says we must do - an 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, 40% by 2030, etc.
3. I want an ambitious, binding renewable portfolio standard. I don't see that here, but I hope that Brian Moran is thinking along those lines.
4. I want to know who Brian Moran (and Creigh Deeds, and Terry McAuliffe if he gets in the race) is willing to take on - which interest groups, which industries, which companies, which corporate "malefactors of great wealth" as Teddy Roosevelt called them (and it's more true today than ever!). Specifically, i want to hear what Brian Moran thinks about Dominion Virginia Power, which is currently Environmental Enemy #1. I also want to hear how he plans to bring this company in line, after years in which its lobbyists have run roughshod over Richmond, getting their way to the point of essentially writing their own utility reregulation bill.
5. I want to hear words like "decoupling" and phrases like "net metering" used frequently, and then I want to see these concepts implemented.
6. I want commitment to phasing out coal and transitioning the economy of coal-producing areas towards a new, clean energy future. And I never want to hear the phrases "clean coal" or "carbon sequestration," because they're a complete joke. Say it with me: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CLEAN COAL. Also, "carbon sequestration" on any serious scale (e.g., one that might make a difference) is most likely decades away both from a technological and economic perspective. So let's not waste our time talking about that either, especially when we don't HAVE decades to solve our energy and environmental problems?
All in all, this was a fine speech and I commend Brian Moran for giving it. As Miles said, though, I want specifics. As an avid environmentalist, I've been burned WAY too many times (e.g., Tim Kaine's completely inadequate energy plan and his unconscionably cozy relationship with Dominion Virginia Power) to not be suspicious...give me actions (e.g., refusing to take any campaign donations from Dominion?) as well as great speeches. Thank you.
Unfortunately, we are NOT hearing that in the presidential campaign. Obama wants the support of people in MT who believe they can make money off of coal, and miners in WV and VA and KY. But we need to be realistic: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CLEAN COAL there is only coal that is not quite so dirty as most of what we have now.
It's time for Dems to get bolder and show LEADERSHIP to get us beyond our energy and climate crisis. We've heard the Apollo analogy enough times, but beyond Al Gore, I haven't heard any politicians lay out actual, specific stretch goals equivalent to putting a man on the moon in x number of years.
Despite my general weariness with the Morans, I am open to Brian if he demonstrates this kind of leadership -- as I would be to Creigh as well.
Quite apart from your substantive judgments on how each candidate approaches environmental issues, how significant of an issue do you think the environment will be in 2009 more generally (I know it is important to many of you)?
I'm not suggesting that the relative importance of an issue should necessarily excuse a candidate from developing and expressing a good, common-sense environmental set of policies on the issue. I ask the question to better understand how the dynamic of the issue may affect our choice in the primary and strategy for the general election.
I think most people are not concerned with where the energy comes from or utility regulation. They are concerned with price and reliability and that is about the extent of their concern. The farther you go up the income scale then people start becoming concerned with being green. But even then, it can range from ephemeral to zealotry. I base this mostly on my experience with coworkers and friends. Like with cars, most have only considered being "green" when the price of gas was above $4 a gallon. And those who regularly road public transportation before that was because the time was less than commuting by car. I think I can extend that generally given the lack of public interest in Dominion's reregulation, their new coal plant, and Kaine's Energy Plan.