This Month: > Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act Marks Beginning of Senate Climate Change Negotiations > VCI Launches Facebook Page > Virginia University Students Ramp up Action on Climate Change and the Environment > A New Partnership for Renew Virginia & Other Virginia Announcements > Upcoming Events > Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act Marks Beginning of Senate Climate Change Negotiations Virginia Climate Initiative joined the Environmental Defense Fund in welcoming the release of draft legislation that gives the United States Senate its vehicle for enacting a comprehensive bill to cap U.S. global warming pollution. "This draft is an important starting point for Senators to negotiate effective climate legislation that can win 60 votes," said Environmental Defense Fund Legislative Director Elizabeth Thompson. "With the work of the Governor's Commission on Climate Change, Virginia has proven to be a leader in taking action to combat the effects of climate change," said Rob Jones, Director of the Virginia Climate Initiative. "We urge Senators Warner and Webb to support efforts to develop meaningful legislation to move this vital initiative forward." The discussion draft released on September 30th by Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer and Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry would put a mandatory cap on U.S. global warming pollution and give the private sector the flexibility to pursue the most affordable emissions reduction opportunities. The draft calls for reducing U.S. emissions by 20 percent from 1990 levels in 2020, slightly more than the reductions called for in the House-passed American Clean Energy and Security Act. The bill is silent on how emissions permits would be allocated, leaving room for negotiations as the bill moves forward in the Senate. > VCI Launches Facebook Page VCI has created a Facebook page, designed to keep you informed of legislative developments in D.C., and climate change news from Virginia, and around the U.S. Visit our page, become a VCI fan, and stay abreast of press clippings, environmental events, and news videos centered around upcoming climate legisation! > Virginia University Students Ramp up Action on Climate Change and the Environment As a climate change bill begins to wind its way through Senate committees, university students in Virginia are introducing a number of exciting new and environmentally friendly initiatives to help make their campuses, cities and country greener. On September 3rd, University of Richmond launched its Green Bike program, for which 35 green beach-cruiser bicycles were placed around campus. Anyone can use these bikes, and the only requirements are that they not be taken off campus, locked up, or hidden in students' rooms. "The ultimate goal is for people to start riding bikes instead of driving around," said program founder and senior Karen DeBonis in the student newspaper, The Collegian. The University of Richmond campus environmental organization, GreenUR, has other environmental initiatives planned for later in the month of October too. Throughout the week of October 26th-30th Green UR will be hosting Environmental Awareness Week. Planned activities include movie nights, a vegetarian awareness day at the campus dining hall, and a waste audit in which organization members dress up in white protective suits and dig through the previous day's trash to determine just how much waste can be recycled. The week will culminate in a concert with themes of environmental awareness. Meanwhile, Virginia Commonwealth University launched its "Year of the Environment" on October 1st, including a film screening, student presentations, and even painting a dumpster. The year-long project intends to "highlight the contributions and leadership that universities can bring to further improve Virginia's sustainable practices and the impact on our precious natural resources," according to the event's website. Over the weekend of October 23rd-25th, environmental advocacy groups from universities across Virginia will meet at George Mason University for Virginia Power Shift 2009, which intends to "empower individuals and campus organizations to fight for a just and sustainable clean energy future" by attending speakers, lectures, workshops and more socially-oriented activities such as hikes and cookouts. The conference is currently in the planning stages, and there are still many opportunities for students to get involved to help shape the direction of the conference. It's not just students who are working toward greening of Virginia campuses. As of October 1st, twelve presidents of colleges and universities in Virginia have signed the President's Climate Commitment, which seeks to combat climate change by "taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions" and "integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience." Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, George Mason University and James Madison University are among the signers of the pledge. Fore more information on Virginia universities' environmental action, view the recent article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. > A New Partnership for Renew Virginia & Other Virginia Announcements With more stringent fuel economy standards on the horizon, the electrification of vehicles certainly seems like it will become a growing segment in vehicles on the road. Automakers, such as Ford Motor Company, have already announced offerings of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles in 2011 and 2012 models, in addition to traditional hybrids. Taking note for the need to charge hybrid vehicles, Governor Tim Kaine announced on September 22nd a partnership with Dominion Virginia Power to install electric vehicle charging stations at certain state rest areas. The partnership, which is part of the Renew Virginia initiative, is designed to accommodate most of today's hybrid electric vehicles and use of the stations will be complimentary. Job Posting -- The Alliance for Climate Protection (Repower America) has announced openings for 3 positions: State Director, State Communications Director, and Field Organizer. VCI would like to congratulate Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Preston Bryant for being sworn in on September 29th as Chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, after having been officially appointed by President Obama on September 24. Also, be sure to check-out a Q&A article with former Senator John Warner on climate change. Senator Warner remains actively engaged on the issue, and his insight is quite inspiring. > Upcoming Events Commonwealth of Virginia Energy Symposium (COVES)        October 7-8, Lexington: Virginia Military Institute - Marshall Hall VSBN Greening VA Universities and Colleges Conference        October 22, Richmond: Virginia Commonwealth University - Student Commons Potomac Watershed Trash Summit        October 28, Washington D.C.: 2900 K Street NW Green Living and Energy Expo        November 6-7, Roanoke: Roanoke Civic Center Green-Up Hampton Roads Expo        November 12th, Chesapeake: Chesapeake Conference Center

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