Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

Issue Position: Environment

Preserving Virginia's Natural Beauty

"I've spent my life protecting our environment and preserving our precious natural resources. We have a duty to ensure that future generations can enjoy clean air, clean water, and the beauty of Virginia's outdoors." -Senator Deeds

From his experiences at Douthat State Park-where he was a summer ranger in his youth-to his fight to clean up the Kim-Stan Landfill, Senator Deeds has been a leader in preserving the environment. He believes that we all have a responsibility to be good stewards of our natural resources and that we need to address the fundamental moral issue of our generation: the pollution of our air and water and destruction of our climate.

Senator Deeds' environmental priorities are clear: preserve our environment, provide incentives for home and business owners who conserve energy, and invest in a greener future. Virginia can lead the way to an energy independent America, but only if our next Governor has the experience and vision to deliver results.

Preserving Our Environment

In 1999, when Virginia ranked last in the nation in per capita expenditures for natural resources, Senator Deeds led the way in preserving Virginia for future generations. That year Deeds wrote and passed Virginia's land preservation tax credit program-one of the most progressive environmental protection laws in the country. Since its passage, more than 100,000 acres have been preserved.

The land preservation tax credit program continues to help preserve Virginia's natural beauty. The program has even helped Governor Kaine towards his goal of preserving 400,000 acres by 2010.

Supporting Virginians Who Conserve Energy

In homes, offices, manufacturing plants-and even government buildings-throughout the Commonwealth we can make smart investments in building materials that will pay for themselves down the road.

Deeds has lead the way in applying new standards that guide the design and construction of homes and office buildings. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards act as an independent certification process in the construction and renovation of buildings that are cheaper to operate, produce less waste, conserve energy and water, and are healthier and safer for occupants. He successfully fought to require all new and renovated state-owned facilities meet LEED standards.

If you've bought a new refrigerator, washing machine or computer monitor recently, hopefully you've seen an Energy Star rating sticker on it. Energy Star is a joint program of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency that helps consumers, business and governments save money and reduce our impact on the environment. This year, Deeds worked to require state agencies and institutions purchase Energy Star rated appliances and equipment whenever they are available.

Investing in Energy Research and an Alternative Fuel Economy

Two of the country's premier research universities are located right here in the Commonwealth: Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia. As Governor, Deeds will establish a bold new collaborative effort between the two schools that will harness our natural resources to improve upon existing technologies and develop new ones to reduce Virginia's dependence on foreign oil and other fossil fuels.

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