Opinion
The Virginia General Assembly session has reached its midpoint, marking some wins and losses for key environmental measures.
These measures would enhance our management of Virginia’s living resources, provide better planning for our growing solar industry, improve water quality, protect public health, and align with Governor Youngkin’s recent recommitment to Chesapeake Bay restoration.
At this point known as “crossover,” bills started in one chamber must be passed in order to move to the other chamber for consideration, a key moment for legislation focused on flood resilience, protection of vital species, and advancements in clean energy.
Key environmental wins and losses include:
Protecting Virginians from Flooding and Extreme Weather
• HB 2034 introduced by Delegate Shelly Simonds: This establishes efforts to protect the state’s existing tidal and nontidal wetlands, which are natural water filterers and sponges. This bill passed the House and will now head to the Senate.
• HB2630 introduced by Delegate Rodney Willett and HB2638 introduced by Delegate Patrick Hope: Another natural sponge that cools our neighborhoods and reduces our energy use, trees would be easier to preserve and replace under these two bills that expand local authority. Both passed the House are under consideration by the Senate.
• HB 2077 introduced by Delegate Paul Krizek and SB 1335 introduced by Senator David Marsden: These bills allow federally-recognized tribal governments access to Community Flood Preparedness funding. Both bills passed their respective chamber.
• HJ 434 introduced by Delegate Michael Feggans and HJ 437 introduced by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler: HJ434 direct studies on how state and localities would fund Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) plans. HJ437 reestablishes the Joint Subcommittee of Recurrent Flooding. Both bills passed the House and on to the Senate for consideration.
Protecting and Restoring Key Species
• CBF is disheartened that legislation for an oyster stock assessment helping ensure the wise management of the state’s oysters as well as legislation and an accompanying $3 million budget amendment to move forward with a much-needed study of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay did not advance in the General Assembly. CBF thanks Delegate Paul Milde for introducing the menhaden efforts and again notes the increasing need for scientific studies into the impact of factors including climate change and an industrial fishery on this important forage fish.
• CBF continues to support HB2782 introduced by Delegate Shelly Simonds that removes the one-fish daily limit for blue catfish longer than 32 inches, helping to reduce the predatory pressure of this invasive species in the tidal waters of the James, Rappahannock, and York Rivers. HB2782 has passed the House and is under consideration by the Senate.
Durable Future for Clean Energy
• To achieve established clean energy goals without unduly compromising farmland or forests, CBF supported legislation from Senators Deeds and McPike and Delegate Sullivan to create a state advisory body for localities considering utility-scale solar projects. The legislation also required a regional energy plan. CBF is disappointed this measure did not advance.
Reducing Pollution
The General Assembly showed continued strong support for reducing pollution in the budget by proposing funding for three key pillars of pollution reduction: agricultural best management practices, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and investment in the Stormwater Local Assistant Fund, a matching grant program for projects that reduce polluted runoff such as stream restoration and rain gardens.
Practices like fencing cattle out of streams, planting streamside trees and grasses, and many others are the most cost-effective steps Virginia can take to restore the Bay and local streams. At the same time, many of Virginia’s sewage treatment facilities have made important progress in nutrient reductions in recent years due to investments made by the General Assembly.
CBF Virginia Policy Manager Jay Ford released the following statement:
“Protecting Virginians from costly flooding, extreme storms, and the health impacts of pollution is a bipartisan issue. This crossover period saw robust support for pollution reduction and measures to proactively prepare the Commonwealth for costly storms and flooding on our horizon.
"While we celebrate the progress made on several key environmental fronts, the losses related to menhaden and oyster studies and the need for a comprehensive clean energy strategy highlight the urgency of the challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay.
“This moment presents a significant opportunity for legislators to demonstrate their commitment to a healthy environment and resilient communities. We urge them to prioritize the measures that will ensure a cleaner, healthier Virginia for the next generation.”