 | By Zach JarjouraConservation Program Manager |
This piece was originally published in the Winter 2016-2017 issue of the Old Dominion Sierran, the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter's quarterly newletter. The full issue can be found here.
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Given our new political landscape it is more important than ever to stand up and fight for our future. And, we have the best opportunity to achieve progress at the state and local level.
Unfortunately, you can’t have a serious conversation about climate change or energy in Virginia without mentioning the 500 pound gorilla in the room– Dominion, the biggest corporate contributor to Virginia’s politicians and the biggest obstruction to clean energy and climate action in Virginia.
As a regulated monopoly utility company, Dominion receives benefits from the state for providing reliable, affordable electricity. The company’s investments should reflect what is in the best interest of Dominion customers and Virginia residents. But they don’t.
Dominion’s “preferred” energy plan would result in a more than 80 percent increase in carbon pollution. Dominion’s plan is risky for the economy as well as the climate. Their own research shows that clean energy makes more economic sense for customers than burning dirty fuels. But Dominion continues to put profits over people. Therefore, we launched Dirty 30 Days of Action targeting #DirtyDominion.
More than 1,500 people participated in the Dirty 30 Days of Action, November 14 to December 14. From marching on Dominion, to tweeting, to making a call or signing a petition to Virginia public officials and Dominion executives Tom Farrell and Bob Blue.
The highlight of the Dirty 30 Days was on November 19, when more than 100 Hampton Roads activists joined the March On Dominion. The Sierra Club, Virginia Organizing, Mother’s Out Front, and Chesapeake Climate Action Network gathered at the Church of the Ascension in Virginia Beach for an afternoon of story sharing, action taking, and marching.
Johvanny Torres and Michelle Cook told how their communities have been impacted by climate fueled flooding and local faith leader, Mark Hoggard, spoke about the moral need to take action on climate change. Attendees learned how to get involved locally in the climate fight.
You can be sure in 2017 we’ll be ramping up the pressure on #DirtyDominion. We’ll call on our public officials to stand up even stronger in the face of Dominion’s rush to build fracked gas infrastructure. Even in the face of inaction at the federal level, Virginia has vast clean energy potential due to our resources. Offshore wind alone could power at least 25 percent of Virginia households. Our clean energy future is within grasp, but we need to stand together to make it happen.