Common Sense for the Commonwealth

On a late-November Wednesday, hundreds of Virginians from across the state converged on the state capitol in Richmond for a Common Sense for the Commonwealth rally for clean energy. Prior to the rally, activists attended and spoke at a Virginia General Assembly legislative hearing on the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan to slash carbon pollution from existing power plants. The Sierra Club partnered with other local and state groups to turn people out for the hearing and the rally.

"This was a fantastic day for clean energy supporters," says Kate Addelson, conservation director for the Virginia Sierra Club. "Over 200 people gathered under the Bell Tower on the grounds of the state capitol, and we filled the hearing room to the point where there was standing room only -- at least 225 folks!"

Coalition activists arrived early at the hearing to reserve prime seats and pass out "Clean Energy = Virginia Jobs and Healthy Families" stickers. Expert testimony was given by the Southern Environmental Law Center, followed by comments from citizens including Virginia Sierra Club conservation chair Bill Penniman.  "Many of the legislators seemed to be preoccupied with the question, 'What's the cost of compliance with the Clean Power Plan?'" Penniman says. "I put the question back to them, 'What's the cost of not reducing carbon emissions?' That seemed to get their attention."

Addelson says that of the 13 people who spoke during the public comment period, 10 spoke in support of the Clean Power Plan, two spoke against, and one was neutral. Below, Sierra Club interns Allison Wishon and Abby Kemp, Virginia Chapter organizer Kendyl Crawford, intern Jamie Pham, chapter conservation director Kate Addleson, and chapter director Glen Besa outside the hearing room.

"We reject the false choice between a healthy environment and a strong economy," says Corrina Beall, the Virginia Sierra Club's legislative coordinator. "Climate change is already starting to affect our families and communities. It's time for our leaders to get serious about clean energy solutions and take full advantage of the opportunity provided by the Clean Power Plan."

Following the hearing, the rally kicked off on the capitol grounds, emceed by Kendyl Crawford, below at right. The opening speaker was Terra Pascarosa, chair of the Club's Chesapeake Bay Group and a field staffer with the Moms Clean Air Force. That's Pascarosa speaking, below, with activists Dawud Muhammad, Allison Wishon, and Crawford. 

Other speakers included Freeda Cathcart of the General Federation of Women's Clubs; Michael James-Deramo of the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition; Alfonso Lopez of the Virginia House of Delegates; Jediah Jones, legislative director for state senator Donald McEachin; and Clark Mercer, chief of staff for Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam.

Ralliers observed a moment of silence, above, to recognize Virginians already being affected by climate disruption, followed by a moment of noise to sound the alarm for climate action in the Commonwealth and demand action from state leaders.

Daycare staff from the Trinity Family Life Center brought about two dozen children who played with an earth parachute and inflatable earth balls, above, and held up signs they'd made themselves, below.

The rally concluded with a sing-along with the Green Grannies of Charlottesville, below.

Addleson says it was exciting to see a crowd that was both geographically and culturally diverse. "A broad swath of people from all parts of the state have been mobilized by recent events to join the climate movement," she says. Over 200,000 Virginians submitted comments in support of the Clean Power Plan, which bodes well for the 'people power' we're going to need in 2015 to ensure that our elected officials act to pursue clean energy in Virginia."

Addleson gives a special shout-out to Kendyl Crawford for her leadership role in building a statewide climate movement and engaging new and diverse constituencies from all around Virginia.

"The climate movement in Virginia is in a really exciting place right now," Crawford says. "We're on the cusp of something amazing, as we are seeing unprecedented action and involvement from students, the environmental justice community, and the central part of our state. We are at a moment where we are simultaneously partnering with new organizations, building activist networks, and then connecting them across the state."