Taxonomy Archives: Virginia

May 11, 2012

VDOT opens bids for design-build of controversial 29 bypass

VDOT officials today opened bid submittals from companies seeking to win a multi-million dollar state contract to design and build the controversial Western Bypass of U.S. 29 just north of Charlottesv...

May 1, 2012

Environmental groups laud approval of energy efficiency programs, but urge more be done

In a ruling late Monday, the State Corporation Commission approved several energy-efficiency programs proposed by Dominion Virginia Power, the largest electricity utility in the commonwealth, but impo...

March 16, 2012

Medical & Health Groups File Suit to Protect Limits on Mercury, Air Toxic Pollution

Today five professional medical societies and public health groups took legal action to support public health safeguards that reduce mercury and toxic air pollution from power plants.

February 17, 2012

Polluters Move to Block Landmark Mercury Protections

Today representatives of the nation’s dirtiest polluters and their friends at special interest groups like the National Mining Association, filed the first lawsuits to block long overdue action to cle...

February 14, 2012

Study: Southeast biomass has carbon spike before long-term climate benefits

A new study of southeastern forests in the U.S. finds that in the long run, burning wood instead of fossil fuels to make electricity can reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but not ...

February 2, 2012

Virginia Should Focus on Offshore Wind, Not Oil

The Obama Administration today released the final environmental assessment clearing the way for leasing of federal offshore tracts for site assessment and location of commercial wind farms off the coa...

January 24, 2012

General Assembly Support Needed to Continue Virginia’s Successful Regional Trains

Virginians for High Speed Rail, the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce jointly re...

January 19, 2012

SELC and Former DEQ Director Bob Burnley Respond to Gov. McDonnell’s Announcement on Uranium Mining

Today, Governor McDonnell announced that he will ask the General Assembly not to take any action this legislative session on uranium mining.

December 21, 2011

First air standards slash levels of mercury and other toxins

EPA today provided long overdue and vitally important health protections for American families and children by issuing standards for toxic air pollution from power plants, said the Southern Environmen...

December 19, 2011

NAS Report Validates Major Environmental, Health Concerns Raised by Uranium Mining Opponents

The long-awaited report issued by the National Academy of Sciences today echoes numerous pitfalls with potential uranium mining, milling and waste disposal in the Commonwealth that many concerned Virg...