by Courtney Musser
Signed into law on 16 August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) proposes climate-related investments totaling nearly $370 billion. Among other things, the bill will facilitate transitioning the economy away from its current dependence on fossil fuels towards a greater reliance on electricity generated by clean energy sources (solar, wind, etc.). As electricity prices are relatively stable, this transition will remove a source of inflationary pressure, namely fossil fuel price volatility, thereby reducing inflation in the long term.
The IRA is wide-ranging in its scope and application, so we will focus here on the three primary ways in which the bill incentivizes consumers directly, using either tax credits (which offset tax balances due) or rebates (paid regardless of tax liability), to make better, that is greener, choices.
1. Tax credits for clean energy systems and battery storage
2. Tax credits for electric vehicles
3. Tax credits and rebates for homeowners who undertake energy efficiency improvements
The bill also provides a number of financial incentives for existing homeowners (either single or multi-family) who undertake energy efficiency improvements.
Update on the Virginia General Assembly 2023: Top Environmental Legislation
WHEN: Feb 15, 2023 07:00 PM
WHERE: Zoom DETAILS: Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Lobbyists will bring us up to date on the good bills and the bad. They will share how we can promote our positions on legislation that is still in play. The General Assembly Session ends on February 25, 2023. RSVP SPONSOR: York River Group of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter CONTACT: tmatteson1@mindspring.com
Getting involved in Local County Elections
Here are ways you can get involved in helping with local county elections.
Interview and endorse candidates for 2023 local elections. Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William will all hold elections for their local Boards of Supervisors in November 2023. The Great Falls Group will develop a candidate questionnaire in each county, send it to all candidates, conduct interviews, and decide on endorsements. Volunteers are needed for various roles in this process, including:
* Develop content for the questionnaires, and review and edit questionnaires.
* Contact candidates and get them to complete the questionnaires.
* Set up interviews with candidates.
* Participate in interviews with candidates. Take notes on candidates' responses.
* Participate in meetings to discuss interviews and decide on endorsements.
We have new opportunities for volunteers in the Sierra Club Great Falls Group. See nine ideas here to find some that are a fit for you. Local volunteering for the environment helps you and your community by:
Cutting down on emissions by traveling close to home
Giving you a sense of belonging in your own community
Opening you socially to more people in your area
Supporting local projects and people
Teaching you more about your community and other ways to help
The personal connections you can gain from volunteering locally canopen you up to a wide range of advantages. Not only will you make new friends but you’ll also be able to develop relationships in the long-term for as long as you live in the area.
You learn more about what’s going on in your area, like events, groups and clubs, and more.
For the GFG weekly environmental events email, join thelistserv here and select subscribe (or unsubscribe).
The MeetUp group for Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) is a special activities section of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. The group organizes hikes and other events in Virginia, DC and Maryland. No Sierra Club membership is necessary to participate. SCPRO welcomes all people on a variety of outdoor adventures, nature walks, conservation outings, and exploration of our natural and regional history. Join SCPRO MeetUp here
Data Center Update!
After the approval of the Prince William Digital Gateway for development of 2,100 acres adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park, members of the General Assembly introduced bills to try to protect natural resources and public lands and to better understand the long-term impacts of data centers.
We are grateful to Senator Chap Petersen and Delegate Danica Roem for leading the charge! Please contact your senator and delegate in support of the bills listed below (SB1078, SJ240 and HJ522).
We do know that the sheer volume of data centers are having quite an impact.
Loudoun Now Letter to the Editor: Data Center Challenges
Natalie Pien wrote a letter to the editor of Loudoun Now with serious concerns about the status of data center development in the area:
January 19, 2023
Editor: The internet is an essential part of our life and we need data centers to support it. However, data center challenges in Loudoun County and Virginia were recently exposed and cannot be ignored.
As a climate activist, I am alarmed by the huge amount of electrical energy data centers use. Collectively, Loudoun’s Data Center Alley consumes enough electricity to power five times the number of homes in Loudoun. And because fossil fuels are a major energy source to generate electricity, climate changing greenhouse gas emissions increase each time a data center is put into operation. Every data center approved by Loudoun County and neighboring jurisdictions exacerbates climate change and makes the critical transition to renewables more difficult.
Virginia county struggles to streamline difficult solar permitting process
Solar installers and homeowners have become so frustrated with permitting projects in Prince William County that some have given up. County officials say they are trying to improve the process and point to signs of progress.
