"We need to change the political climate in order to stop change in the global climate." -- Sen. Chap Peterson (D-Fairfax)"We need to change the political climate in order to stop change in the global climate." -- Sen. Chap Peterson (D-Fairfax)
Today in Richmond, conservationists from across the state gathered to deliver that message to our members of the General Assembly. It was part of lobby day at the state capital, as the MLK holiday allows people from all over the state, supporting a whole range of issues, to talk with their legislators and staff.
Our message had both policy and political components. From a policy perspective, we asked legislators to support the Clean Energy Future Act, which would establish a green jobs training program and a statewide renewable energy standard of 20%. From a political perspective, we wanted to let legislators know that if they show leadership on energy and environmental issues, we'll have their back.
So did they hear us above the ongoing battle over gun rights? Who needs a push on the Clean Energy Future Act? Details after the jump.
Were the 150+ people gathered to lobby on conservation issues heard? Definitely. In fact, with so many people in town to talk about guns, legislators and staffers seemed relieved to talk about something else for a few minutes.
I visited about ten offices, meeting with Sen. George Barker and speaking with legislative assistants at other offices since the General Assembly was in session. I visited with the LAs of Dels. Bob Brink, Adam Ebbin, Al Eisenberg, David Englin and Margi Vanderhye, as well as the LAs for Sens. Peterson, Ticer and Mary Margaret Whipple. I was impressed that almost every office was able to carve out a few minutes to meet with someone who wasn't even in their district, only getting turned away from the office of Sen. Dick Saslaw, whose secretary told me that both Sen. Saslaw and his LA already had packed schedules.
Congratulations are in order for Sens. Edwards and Whipple and Dels. Eisenberg, Englin, and David Toscano. All are signing on as patrons of the Clean Energy Future Act.
Who still needs a push? Every senator on the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, where passage of the Clean Energy Future Act is uncertain. Sen. Barker was also noncommittal about signing on as a co-patron, saying he was still studying the bill. Unfortunately, the General Assembly moves at light speed, and we're running out of time for study.
Overall, I came away with a great sense of hope that the General Assembly finally is grasping the urgency of both the threat of global warming and the potential of clean energy. As I heard one representative of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network say, "There are still people afraid to support climate action. But the difference this year is, now there are just as many people afraid to be seen as not supporting it."