Dominion Re-Regulation & Smoke-Free VA: Contact Gov. Kaine Now!

Two important action alerts to pass along:

* The American Cancer Society urges you to write Gov. Tim Kaine to tell him to modify HB2422 to include a smoking ban. I've written before on my support for this strategy. You can email the governor through their action alert.

* The Virginia Conservation Network has issued an action alert asking you to write Gov. Kaine to ask him to overhaul the Dominion re-regulation bill. Here's the letter the Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment board sent to Gov. Kaine based heavily on the VCN's earlier alerts, feel free to use the language for your letter:

February 20, 2007

Gov. Tim Kaine
Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Dear Gov. Kaine:

On behalf of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, a community nonprofit with hundreds of volunteers working to create a more sustainable Arlington, I am writing today concerning electric utility re-regulation. We ask you to oppose SB1416 and HB3068. Any utility restructuring plan should safeguard consumers and advance Virginia toward a sustainable energy future.

We oppose higher rates to pay for new power plants that will only make the air dirtier, increase the effects of global warming, and cost consumers billions over the next decade. Instead, utilities should be required to invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation programs. Programs such as a systems benefit fund, net metering, and peak-demand management, will lower electric bills while protecting public health, the environment and our economy.

We should invest in renewable energy sources that will lower our long-term energy price tag by reducing the impact of global warming. Already, our federal leaders have recognized that something must be done to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and Fortune 500 companies like GE, DuPont, Alcoa and Duke Energy have endorsed national carbon caps.

There are also major questions to be answered about whether the General Assembly has drafted this legislation in the best interests of Virginians or in the best interests of one of the Commonwealth’s top political donors. The Virginia Public Access Project reports Dominion has made nearly $3.8 million in campaign donations the past 10 years. Eleven legislators own at least $10,000 in Dominion stock, and Sen. Benjamin Lambert is a member of Dominion's board of directors and owns more than $250,000 in Dominion stock.

We have the opportunity to restructure the electric utility industry in a way that benefits consumers, power companies, and the environment. But we have to do it
right.

Sincerely,
Miles Grant
Board Chair
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment

Note: Action alerts are not to be confused with Action Cats. Thank you.