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This Month: > President Obama’s Call To Action > EDF Unveils New Green Jobs Tool > Town Hall Meetings > Upcoming Events 
> President Obama’s Call To Action "To truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America." -- President Barack Obama In his first address to a joint session of Congress on February 24th, President Barack Obama called for Congress to take action on climate change to boost the economy and protect our environment. This historic push for a cap on carbon from the Oval Office will greatly assist with getting a strong bill out of Congress, but the obstacles remain immense. The timeframe is still fluid but achievable goals have been set. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has set a goal to have a bill by Memorial Day. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has promised to hold a floor vote before the end of the year. On the Senate side, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said recently that he hopes to hold a floor debate on climate change before the end of the summer. We will need your help in the coming months to ensure that the Virginia Congressional delegation votes in favor of a cap and trade system and, as always, we will keep you updated with the debate in Washington. > EDF Unveils New Green Jobs Tool Environmental Defense Fund released on February 27th a groundbreaking online map that identifies and profiles more than 1,200 companies in Virginia and other key manufacturing states poised to grow their business and create new jobs when Congress passes a cap on global warming pollution. The interactive map, online at LessCarbonMoreJobs.org, was released at the first meeting of Vice President Joe Biden's task force on middle class jobs in Philadelphia. It highlights hundreds of companies and communities in coal country, the rust belt and other manufacturing regions poised to benefit from demand for clean energy technologies created by a cap on carbon. Vice President Biden hosted EDF President Fred Krupp and a range of experts to highlight new ways to increase renewable energy jobs and improve America's energy efficiency. Krupp said EDF's map shows that a carbon cap will create new markets and new customers for companies in the supply chain for low-carbon energy technologies and services. "Our nation is rich with a skilled and dedicated workforce waiting for the economic opportunity that comes with a cap on carbon, especially in the current economy," said Krupp. "A cap creates customers for U.S. manufacturers, and new customers mean new jobs. If there was ever a time we needed new customers at home and abroad, that time is now." LessCarbonMoreJobs.org identifies the locations, products, and services as well as select case studies and worker profiles for companies in Virginia and 11 other states: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Tennessee, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, and Florida. "Virginia businesses will grow and create more jobs for our citizens once a cap on carbon is in place," said Rob Jones, Director of the Virginia Climate Initiative, EDF's branch in Virginia. "This new tool serves as a way to highlight Virginia companies working on green initiatives and educate more people about green jobs' positive effect on our economy." Among the business leaders highlighted is Blue Crump, owner of Cityspace Construction, a Richmond-based contracting firm that offers alternative, environmentally friendly home and building materials, solar power and heating systems. "With Cityspace's emphasis on renewable energy and green building, a focus on green jobs in Virginia will have a direct impact on our growth," Crump said. "In the midst of a stalled construction industry, many are poised for the growth green jobs will generate. Through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy, and redefining responsible building, Virginia's climate is prime for the creation of green jobs. Generating job opportunities through environmental stewardship for Virginia couldn't come at a better time." > Town Hall Meetings VCI, along with other environmental groups across the state, sponsored and/or attended town hall meetings on green jobs in Richmond, Fairfax and Norfolk recently. Each event featured assorted speakers and drew different crowds, but the message remained the same: green jobs can repower Virginia. We would like to thank Representatives Bobby Scott, Gerry Connolly and Glenn Nye and staff for their participation. Representative Boucher is hosting town halls meetings across his district, and we encourage our members to attend and ask about his climate change policy. The meetings will take place: Saturday, March 7, 2009 9:30 AM - Lee County Town Meeting Lee County High School Auditorium Ben Hur, Virginia 11:30 AM - Wise County Town Meeting Powell Valley High School Big Stone Gap, Virginia 2:00 PM - Scott County Town Meeting Scott County Courthouse (Circuit Courtroom) Gate City, Virginia Saturday, March 21, 2009 9:30 AM - Washington County Town Meeting Meadowview Community Center 12:00 PM - Smyth County Town Meeting Chilhowie Community Center > Upcoming Events CBF Alternative Spring Break 2009 March 3-13: Throughout Virginia Climate Change and its Impact on Northern Virginia March 11, Alexandria: Huntley Meadows Park Visitor Center Ecosystem Services: Marketing Environmental Solutions March 12-13, Charlottesville: Omni Hotel 20th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium March 31-April 2, Lexington: Virginia Military Institute Life without Carbon (WCAN Lecture Series) April 13, Williamsburg: William & Mary College Earth Day Richmond 2009 April 18, Richmond: Manchester Neighborhood Earth Day Celebration at the Virginia Living Museum April 18-19, Newport News: Virginia Living Museum 
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