Good news from Prince William County, where Democrats are in charge, after many years of right-wing Republican “governance” (in air quotes)…check out this press release from Food & Water Watch. Also, see here for the resolution (nice job by Supervisor Kenny Boddye!), which states that ” the Prince William Board of County Supervisors hereby endorses the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ interim climate mitigation goal of 50 percent greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels by
2030.” (click here to watch video of yesterday’s debate)
Prince William County Votes 5- 3 to Pass Climate Resolution Committing the County to a 100% Renewable Energy Grid by 2035
Grassroot groups lead efforts to push the Prince William County Board of Supervisors to vote on their very first climate resolution.
Woodbridge, VA — Yesterday the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted 5-3 to pass the county’s very first climate resolution. The resolution pledges Prince William County government operations will source 100% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030, with the entire county sourcing 100% of their energy from renewable sources by 2035. The resolution also commits to reaching 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 across all industries. The Board also promised to incorporate equity principles and environmental justice into the county’s Community Energy Master Plan (CEMP) as well as the entire Comprehensive Plan.
Residents all over the county commented virtually in support of the resolution with grassroots groups like Mothers Out Front Prince William County, Greater Prince William Climate Action Network, and Active Prince William leading the campaign.
“Committing to Supervisor Boddye’s climate resolution is a step in the right direction for Prince William County. Measurable progress can only be made with stated objectives and goals, like those outlined in his climate resolution, in order to begin laying the needed groundwork to lead our county and region to a more sustainable future,” says Meredith Holland, Associate Director of the Greater Prince William Climate Action Network.
“Counties like Prince William are making it clear that we need a 100% clean renewable energy grid by 2035 to combat the climate crisis,” says Jolene Mafnas, Food & Water Action’s Virginia Organizer, “Right now, Virginia’s statewide 2045 timeline to renewables is dangerously too slow and only applies to Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power facilities. Yesterday’s vote signals to the General Assembly that the Commonwealth deserves more ambitious climate solutions and Food & Water Action will keep fighting until all of Virginia is on the track to a just transition to 100% clean renewable energy by 2036.”
“One of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Virginia comes from the transportation sector,” says Rick Holt, Chair of Active Prince William. “To meet the planned reduction targets in Prince William County by 2030 and 2050, we call for a transparent inventory process, together with smarter investment in bike/pedestrian mobility, expanded public transportation, Transportation Demand Management, and creation of communities where people can safely walk, or bike, to their destination.”
“After decades of inaction on the climate crisis and being the only county in Northern Virginia without set goals to reduce our emissions and transition to renewable energy, Supervisor Boddye has taken the first bold step to turn around that lackluster trend,” says Tiziana Bottino, Mothers Out Front’s Northern Virginia Organizer. “As a resident, I am thankful for this resolution because it will bring millions of dollars in cost savings, good local jobs, and resiliency in the face of worsening natural disasters. As a mother, I am thankful for this resolution because it means I can look at my children with pride, as we are finally taking action to protect their future and preserve the planet they and future generations will be left with.”
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