The Virginia General Assembly will convene in Richmond for its 2023 session on January 11 and adjourn around February 25.
We urge you to become informed about the major conservation bills we anticipate and to talk or write to your state legislators before they go to Richmond. A good starting place is the Virginia Conservation Network website, which posts information on issues of concern to its members, including ASNV. A good reference on the issues is VCN’s Common Agenda, which encapsulates the common position of VCN’s membership on many issues ranging from land conservation to clean energy to waste management.
The allocation of resources for Chesapeake Bay and flood resiliency in the biennial budget are of significant interest to conservation voters. Conservation advocates also are concerned about Governor Youngkin’s announced plans to end Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI has been successful in capping and reducing CO2 emissions from the power sector using a market-based cap-and-invest initiative, and 50% of the revenues from RGGI are dedicated to making low-income housing more energy efficient. Some state legislators have announced efforts to repeal the 2021 Clean Cars legislation that reduces pollution by tightening emissions standards for cars and light trucks.
On the positive side, ASNV hopes to see bills discouraging the sale and use of invasive plants; encouraging more thoughtful siting of solar projects that avoids destroying forests and farmland; and promoting rooftop solar panels, including solar panels on schools.
Please watch for action alerts from ASNV as the session progresses, and make sure your Delegates and Senators know that you care about conservation and protecting and improving habitat for birds, other wildlife, and human health.
To find your member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, visit Who's My Legislator? Please note that in 2023 Virginians will elect all members of the General Assembly.