CCAN Action Fund Statement on House Labor & Commerce Committee passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act
Richmond, VA – Today, in a major leap forward toward climate leadership in Virginia, the House Labor and Commerce Committee passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). Following the successful 13-9 vote, the bill now heads to the full House floor.
Introduced in December by Senator Jennifer McClellan, Del. Rip Sullivan, Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, and Del. Alfonso Lopez, the VCEA would enact into law Gov. Northam’s goal of having Virginia produce 100% of its electricity from clean sources by 2050. The VCEA would also eliminate all utility pollution by 2050 and require major investments in energy efficiency throughout the Commonwealth.
Harrison Wallace, Virginia Director of CCAN Action Fund, stated:
“The House Labor and Commerce committee just took a monumental step towards real climate action tonight. The Virginia Clean Economy Act will responsibly put Virginia on the path to climate stability while protecting our most vulnerable residents.
“We now look forward to seeing this on the House floor and passing this historic bill as quickly as possible.”
A broad coalition of environmental groups, clean energy organizations, and businesses support the VCEA and have been working tirelessly with the bill’s patrons and the Northam Administration to ensure its passage.
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The CCAN Action Fund is the advocacy arm of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the oldest and largest grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. For 17 years, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
