The editorial published in the Sunday, Sept. 13, edition of the Bristol Herald Courier “Balance Benefits Everyone,” failed to grasp the consequences of continuing to rely on harmful fossil fuels for our energy.
Regardless of how tough the “environmental standards,” a coal-fired power plant is still the last thing this state, this country and this planet needs.
Rather than feeding our addiction to fossil fuels, we need to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency. An analysis conducted by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy of federal clean energy legislation states that Virginia stands to gain a $583 million net increase in wages through energy efficiency improvements alone.
Efficiency will save consumers money and create jobs in Virginia. The opportunity to do this is here and now – and is sitting in the hands of the U.S. Senate. Environment Virginia urges Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb to support strong clean energy legislation this fall so that tens of thousands of Virginians can get back to work repowering the commonwealth in a way that is healthy and beneficial to future generations.
Sarah Driscoll
Richmond, Va.
Driscoll is an issue associate with Environment Virginia.
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