This Month: > Gov. Kaine: 2009 to be the Year of the Environment > New EDF Poll Shows that the Majority of Americans Favor    Action on Climate Change Now > VHDA Recognized for Its Green Building Initiative > Upcoming Events > Gov. Kaine: 2009 to be the Year of the Environment In his remarks to the Greater Richmond Technology Council's Sustainability Summit attendees, Governor Tim Kaine repeated a message that has been stated throughout his administration: energy and climate change will be the focus of 2009 for his administration. Thanks to groundwork laid in 2008, Virginia is poised to implement effective changes to increase energy efficiency and combat climate change. The Governor's Commission on Climate Change has been chief amongst the building blocks. In November, the Commission released over 100 recommendations. After holding its final meeting on December 4th, the Commission is expected to issue its final report by December 15th. Be on the lookout for bills on energy and climate change related issues to be introduced in the 2009 General Assembly. On the federal level, Gov. Kaine expects his priorities to align with that of President-elect Barack Obama who has voiced support for implementing comprehensive climate change legislation in the near future. The US Congress will take up the issue as well. > New EDF Poll Shows that the Majority of Americans Favor Action on Climate Change Now Environmental Defense Fund released a new poll on November 10th showing that the majority of Americans believe that the current economic crisis makes it even more crucial to address climate change -- because investing in clean energy will create millions of new jobs and rebuild the economy. "The public thinks there's not a minute to waste," said Steve Cochran, national climate campaign director at EDF. "They want economic revitalization and action to address global warming to go together, and they want it paid for." Over three-quarters of respondents said it is important to address the problem of global warming, and half of the sample says that the issues of oil addiction and economic problems need to be addressed together. Echoing the sentiments of EDF's national survey, A poll by University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs discussed in last month's VCI Newsletter (link) revealed that seventy-two percent of respondents want the government to "take immediate action" on climate change. > VHDA Recognized for Its Green Building Initiative The National Council of State Housing Agencies recently recognized the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) for its Green Building Incentive Program at the council's annual conference and tradeshow. By offering developers of affordable apartment buildings tax credits and allocations for building in a more environmentally friendly capacity, VHDA has helped to increase the percentage of green apartment options throughout the Commonwealth. In fact, more than 3,600 green housing units have been built since VHDA introduced the EarthCraft certification. "This is a well-deserved award for a program that in just one year has more than doubled the percentage of developers building environmentally friendly affordable apartments," said Governor Kaine in a news release. > Upcoming Events Governor’s Commission on Climate Change Meeting        December 4, Richmond: General Assembly Building Virginia Conservation Network’s Legislative Workshop        December 6, Richmond: General Assembly Building Making Green by Going Green        January 30-31, Richmond: Marriott Hotel 20th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium        March 31-April 2, Lexington: Virginia Military Institute

Website News 9 South 12th Street, Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23219 804.648.6299