Richmond—Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) today introduced energy efficiency legislation that would mandate a savings of 12% by Virginia utilities by the year 2022, an action that would produce economic development and create almost 10,000 jobs the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy estimates.

In a press conference, Senator McEachin said, "We are here today to talk about what we can do to create jobs, and economic development, decrease family utility bills and, in the process, reduce pollution and help improve the environment. To accomplish all these goals, I have introduced Energy Efficiency legislation. Increased demand for weatherization products and energy efficient construction and construction materials for homes, commercial buildings and schools would create jobs right here in the Commonwealth and allow green businesses to grow and prosper. The jobs created by these businesses would be well paying, skilled jobs that would engage our workforce and help many Virginians make a better living to support their families.

I believe that nothing is more critical right now than job creation. As we all know, many traditional manufacturing jobs are gone and probably gone forever. We must be creating new jobs, in new industries and looking at job creation in new ways. This bill achieves those goals."

He went on to further explain the benefits of the proposed legislation. "Moreover, the numerous jobs created and the industries that are founded will help improve the environment and reduce pollution. We will diminish mountaintop removal, an activity that scars the landscape, threatens streams and rivers and endangers local communities.

As we create these industries and increase our energy efficiency, we would no longer need new expensive power plants that contribute to pollution and global warming. The proposed Old Dominion Electrical Cooperative coal plant would potentially release almost 15 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, augmenting atmospheric warming. Our shorelines and population centers, right here in Virginia, are vulnerable to rising ocean levels, and more powerful storms, both of which result from global warming.

With these concerns in mind, it is even more important that we pass this legislation which will create jobs, grow industries AND help protect our environment."

Remarks as prepared for delivery

Good Morning. We are here today to talk about what we can do to create jobs, and economic development, decrease family utility bills and, in the process, reduce pollution and help improve the environment. To accomplish all these goals, I have introduced Energy Efficiency legislation. This bill mandates that Virginia utilities reduce energy consumption by 12% by 2022, accomplishing this by investing in easily and readily available energy efficiency improvements. These investments would create businesses, and produce jobs, both critical in these perilous economic times.

Increased demand for weatherization products and energy efficient construction and construction materials for homes, commercial buildings and schools would create jobs right here in the Commonwealth and allow green businesses to grow and prosper. The jobs created by these businesses would be well paying skilled jobs that would engage our workforce and help many Virginians make a better living to support their families.

I believe that nothing is more critical right now than job creation. As we all know, many traditional manufacturing jobs are gone and probably gone forever. We must be creating new jobs, in new industries and looking at job creation in new ways. This bill achieves those goals. As a matter of fact, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that this legislation, with its 12% mandate, will create almost 10,000 jobs right here in Virginia.

Moreover, the numerous jobs created and the industries that are founded will help improve the environment and reduce pollution. We will diminish mountaintop removal, an activity that scars the landscape, threatens streams and rivers and endangers local communities.

As we create these industries and increase our energy efficiency, we would no longer need new expensive power plants that contribute to pollution and global warming. The proposed Old Dominion Electrical Cooperative coal plant would potentially release almost 15 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, augmenting atmospheric warming. Our shorelines and population centers, right here in Virginia, are vulnerable to rising ocean levels, and more powerful storms, both of which result from global warming.

With these concerns in mind, it is even more important that we pass this legislation which will create jobs, grow industries AND help protect our environment.