Here's to a 2013 uranium victory!

Well it's almost here: crossover, the midway point of the General Assembly session, and bad bills are dropping like flies. Most notably Senate bills to regulate uranium mining -- effectively lifting the state's 30 year ban -- and to establish severance taxes on uranium were both withdrawn when it became clear they would suffer defeat. This was a major victory for conservationists, farmers, health care advocates, and the business community from Southern Virginia and Hampton Roads. All these constituencies worked together to convince lawmakers that uranium mining was a high-risk, low-reward proposition in Virginia, and we will continue to collaborate to insure that no pro- uranium mining provision is slipped into the state budget. Thank you for being a part of this conservation victory. If you know that your lawmakers supported keeping the band, take a minute to call and thank them. While you're at it, call Governor Bob McDonnell (804-786-2211) to let him know you hope he will respect the legislature's decision and declare the debate over. Uranium mining wasn't the only bad idea to meet its end this week. A flawed bill that would have allowed government projects to be exempt from oversight by local wetlands boards was also withdrawn. House bills restricting local government authority to implement United Nations' "Agenda 21" (a favorite conspiracy theory of some on the far right) were quietly defeated. Also defeated were several bills to manipulate or eradicate the Land Preservation Tax Credit. Similarly, a shortsighted bill to ease the inspections required for alternative onsite septic systems (which pose a risk to streams and people if they leak) did not advance. A few good bills, have also bit the dust, including a budget amendment to increase funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts, a bill to prioritize fuel price stability in electricity planning (HB1943), and several bills to fix the flawed Public Private Transportation Act (SB860). So what legislative reforms remain viable? First and foremost, a $200 million bond initiative included in the governor's proposed budget is still navigating the often-opaque budgeting process. Half the bonds would be used to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities in keeping with Virginia's latest blueprint for Chesapeake restoration. Approximately $56 million would be used to keep raw sewage out of James River by finishing repairs on the combined sewers of Richmond and Lynchburg. Much of the remainder would help establish a new grant program for local governments implementing newer, more protective MS4 stormwater permits. Another positive bill (HB1398) working it's way toward passage will provide that any unexpended funds for the Land Preservation Tax Credit program and reassigned to grant programs such as the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation and Civil War Sites Preservation Fund. On energy, a deal between the attorney general and private utilities that will end bonus payments under the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) as well as for new fossil fuel plants appears certain to pass. While conservationists have raised concerns about removing the incentive for renewable energy investment, we have not taken a stance on this complex, mixed-bag deal. Instead, conservationists have focused on improving the flawed RPS. A modest measure to prevent double-counting of renewable generation is moving forward (SB1259/HB2180). Another would require the use of Tier I renewable energy certificates (RECs), which come only from non-emitting sources. Private utilities have signed off on this approach, but it remains unclear if SB1269 will pass over the objectives of waste incineration and biomass facilities. On transportation, SB977 and HB1692 will, if passed, incrementally improve the Public Private Transportation Act (PPTA) by making deals more transparent and allowing more competitive bidding. The big question, however, is what if any transportation funding bills will pass. With several bills in the mix (SB717, HB2313) VCN has elected to emphasize our principles rather than favor a single legislative vehicle (no pun intended). In short, conservationists cannot support additional transportation funding without a re-evaluation of the mega-projects that consumed most of the more than $3 billion in bonds approved just two years ago. Costly rural highways like US 460, US 29 Bypass, Coalfields Expressway, etc. are taking a disproportionate share of transportation dollars, while existing transportation networks fall into disrepair. The Midtown Tunnel between Norfolk and Portsmouth is a notable exception, but it is being funded in part by unpopular tolls using the PPTA. If you're concerned about transportation, be sure your lawmakers know you support a fix-it-first approach that prioritizes transit and existing communities. Stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks. Bookmark our interactive bill chart. Thank you for supporting Virginia Conservation Network, and a special thanks to everyone who braved the cold for Conservation Lobby Day on the 28th (If you haven't already, check out the photos on our Facebook page). All the best, Nathan Lott Executive Director