For the first time, the Virginia chapter of the sierra club has published a Virginia General Assembly Climate and Energy Scorecard. This Scorecard grades Virginia’s state elected officials on the votes they took during the 2014 General Assembly Session on legislation that will have a direct impact on Virginia’s energy policy and our strategy to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Virginia Sierra Club Legislative Chair, Susan Stillman, said, “Our planet is experiencing unprecedented changes in global climate, and human activities are primarily responsible. The Sierra Club’s positions on issues ranging from land use, transportation and water policy are all shaped by an awareness of this environmental crisis. However, one area of public policy impacts climate change more than any other: the energy we use, and how it is produced.”
“Virginian’s, by an overwhelming 75%, support government action to reduce carbon pollution. The 2014 Scorecard, and the one that we will issue in 2015, will help these citizens understand where their Senator and Delegate stand on climate action,” said Stillman. “With the EPA’s Clean Power Plan requiring state action to reduce carbon pollution from existing fossil fuel power plants, we expect to see good and bad legislation related to climate change and clean energy in the 2015 General Assembly session.“
Twenty of 40 state senators and 46 of 100 delegates received a score of 75% or greater in the 2014 Scorecard. Six legislators scored a perfect 100%, including Del. Bloxom (R-100), Del. Dance (D-63), Del. Lopez (D-49), Del. Mason (D-93), Del. Rasoul (D-11), and Del. Toscano (D-57).
To view the Scorecard online, visit the Virginia Sierra Club’s website at vasierraclub.org or like us on Facebook.
Founded by legendary conservationist John Muir in 1892, the sierra club is now the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization — with more than two million members and supporters. Our mission is to enjoy, protect and explore the planet.
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Chris Graham
