Energy Efficiency First! Support SB 71.
Energy efficiency is the cleanest, cheapest, quickest and most reliable way for Virginia to meet its energy needs. It must be Virginia’s “first fuel.”
Enacting strong energy efficiency programs will create jobs in Virginia and save families and businesses money on their electric bills while also cutting harmful air and water pollution and reducing the threat of climate change. Efficiency is an emissions-free approach to meeting a large portion of the state’s energy needs. It’s available today with more efficient appliances and industrial processes, and improved weatherization and HVAC systems for offices, schools, homes and other buildings.
Senate bill 71, patroned by Senator Donald McEachin, calls on Virginia utilities to take the lead by requiring them to reduce energy consumption 12% by 2022 by investing in readily-available energy-efficiency improvements.
The McEachin bill would create up to 10,000 new jobs in the Commonwealth. It’s exactly the “Jobs Plan” Virginia needs right now! Efficiency investments will boost Virginia’s economy and create a demand for energy efficient construction and weatherization, energy auditors and engineers, and other jobs.
Efficiency would enable Virginia to meet its energy needs without constructing new, expensive power plants like the 1500-megawatt coal-fired plant proposed for the Hampton Roads area (Surry County), estimated to cost as much as $6 billion – the most costly coal plant in the U.S. The plant would be the biggest in Virginia and would release over 14 million tons of global warming pollution every year.
With over 3,000 miles of tidal shoreline, Virginia’s coasts from Alexandria to Norfolk are extremely vulnerable to increased storm surges and rising seas resulting from a warmer planet.
Click here to download, print and share our SB 71: Energy Efficiency First one-pager.
Make a donation to the Virginia Chapter Sierra Club today!
Is Sierra Club VA planning to send an alert to ask Virginians to write their state senators about SB 71? Shouldn’t we be storming them with requests to vote in favor of this bill?