House Bill to Kill Renewable Energy Jobs in Virginia

Received an interesting email from Conservation e-Action Virginia today. Apparently trying to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for doing their job to protect Americans from the harmful effects of CO2 emissions wasn't enough for Virginia (more on this later). They had to also try to squash the renewable energy industry in the state as well. This new law would put current jobs and future jobs in renewable energy in serious jeopardy, and would reinforce the near monopoly that Dominion Power holds over Virginians. At 10% unemployment, haven't we lost enough jobs already?

If you are a voting citizen of Virginia, contact your legislator today to prevent him/her from making the mistake of supporting house bill 92 when in comes to vote tomorrow. It's easy to have your voice heard. First, find out who your local governor is here.
If you have the time or inclination, you can read the actual house bill 92 here. Otherwise read the summary of the implications of the bill below. Next, phone or email them ASAP to make your opinion known. Feel free to use the summary below directly in your email, or as an outline for a phone conversation. Try to customize your message in order to increase the impact your email will have.

Contact your Senator and ask him or her to vote NO on House Bill 92! The Coops are claiming that selling renewable energy on the retail market is "an experiment that has failed, and is simply not viable in Virginia."  To the contrary, numerous renewable energy businesses are investing money in creating a viable renewable energy industry RIGHT NOW! HB 92 would stifle Virginia's expanding green energy industry which has the opportunity to create clean jobs and clean energy all across the Commonwealth. Problems with House Bill 92:  HB 92 is anti-competition. It will eliminate competition for electric cooperatives by prohibiting generators of 100% renewable energy (whether solar, wind, biomass, waste-to-energy or other providers) from attempting to sell their product directly to consumers.   HB 92 will harm the fledgling renewable energy industry in Virginia - costing jobs and hurting our competitiveness. The Senate has heard directly from several producers of renewable energy who are operating within Virginia and have expressed a desire to enter the retail market to sell renewable energy. These businesses will be severely hampered by HB 92 and will prevent them from making necessary investments to establish a viable and thriving renewable energy business within the Commonwealth.   HB 92 will allow electric coops to buy out-of-state Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), mix them with brown power, and sell it as 100% renewable power. If the Coops are allowed to call the purchase of RECs "100% green power," they will qualify as an allowed monopoly by state law. This bill will do nothing to foster the development of a renewable energy industry inside of Virginia. RECs produce green power somewhere in the U.S. but they won't create new clean energy jobs right here in Virginia. TAKE ACTION: Email your State Senator NOW to urge him/her to vote NO on HB 92!   Allowing renewable energy businesses to compete will improve our economy by producing jobs and clean energy all across Virginia! Please take a moment to customize your message and increase your effectiveness.

Conservation E-Action Virginia is a project of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.