From State Senator (and soon-to-be-Congresswoman) Jennifer McClellan:
McClellan Statement on Youngkin Rejection of Ford Battery Manufacturing Jobs
RICHMOND – Today, Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) released the following statement on Governor Glenn Youngkin’s decision to withdraw Virginia from consideration for a Ford Motor Company battery manufacturing plant over his criticism of China and clean energy. The multi-billion dollar facility would have provided lithium iron phosphate batteries for Ford’s electric vehicles.
“Following the passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020, we’ve seen a massive spike in clean energy job creation and economic investment in Virginia,” McClellan said. “Our clean energy policies make Virginia a beacon for one of the fastest growing industries in America and a home for thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs. It is deeply disappointing that Governor Youngkin would turn away business investment and jobs from Ford Motor Company, due to political considerations and a new obsession with China. It’s clear that the Governor has put his personal politics above jobs for Virginia communities.
“Other Republican and Democratic governors are in a race to bring clean energy jobs to their states, yet Governor Youngkin refuses to compete. This follows the Governor’s refusal to join a bipartisan offshore wind energy coalition, despite the booming offshore wind industry in Hampton Roads. Virginia has moved from the back of the pack to become a national leader in clean energy – creating jobs along the way. I will continue fighting for those jobs and opportunities, regardless of the Governor’s political games.”
McClellan was the Senate patron of the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), which made Virginia the first southern state with a 100 percent clean electricity standard. The VCEA paved the way to. Since the VCEA’s passage in 2020, Virginia has brought in thousands of new clean energy jobs, including the creation of the largest offshore wind project in America and 300 offshore wind turbine blade manufacturing jobs coming to the Portsmouth Marine Terminal.
McClellan was also the Senate patron of the Solar Freedom Act, a law to increase electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and the Pipeline Accountability, Oversight, and Protection of Virginia’s Water Act. McClellan was chief co-patron of the Virginia Clean Car Standard.
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