Environmental group emphasizes Terry’s commitment to climate action, a clean environment in making key endorsement
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, July 8, 2021
Contact:
Lee Francis | Deputy Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
(434) 989-3197 | lfrancis@valcv.org
RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters officially announced its endorsement of Terry McAuliffe for Governor ahead of must-win statewide and House of Delegates elections this fall for the future of environmental protections in Virginia.
“Over the past four years, we’ve made unprecedented gains for Virginia’s environment, passing some of the strongest climate action measures in the country and we are proud to endorse a candidate in Terry McAuliffe who is committed to building on this progress and going even further,” said Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.“During his first term, Governor McAuliffe laid important groundwork in addressing climate change, fighting to advance climate action and clean energy even as a hostile legislature worked to block these efforts at every turn. We look forward to protecting Virginia’s Conservation Majority in 2021 and working with the McAuliffe Administration to continue to advance measures that protect clean air, clean water, and a safe, clean and accessible environment for all Virginians.”
McAuliffe’s opponent in this race, Donald Trump-endorsed Glenn Youngkin, opposes the landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act, which ensures that Virginia will run on 100% clean energy by 2045, and instead touts ideas that threaten public safety, our economy and our future by not addressing the quickly accelerating pace of climate change.
McAuliffe, however, comes into this race with an already strong environmental record and with bold plans moving forward to continue to protect our environment, address the climate crisis, create clean energy jobs, and cut the pollution that threatens our health and puts us all in harm’s way.
“Climate change threatens Virginia’s resources, our communities, our economy, our health, and our national security. The time to take action is now, and that’s exactly what I’ll do as governor along with the support of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters,” saidTerry McAuliffe. “With my bold plans, we will create good paying clean energy jobs, revitalize our infrastructure, and transition Virginia to a clean energy future by 2035. Extreme Republicans like Glenn Youngkin will block our progress combating climate change. I’ve stopped their efforts before and I’m ready to do it again.”
Background:
In 2019, Virginia LCV worked to secure the Commonwealth’s first “Conservation Majority,” giving us environmentally friendly majorities in both the Senate of Virginia and House of Delegates along with the Governor’s Mansion. Over the past two legislative sessions, this majority has helped drive unprecedented gains for climate action and clean air, clean water and the Chesapeake Bay, expanded open space and public lands, and environmental justice protections that will help protect frontline communities.
With the Conservation Majority facing its first test this fall, as voters select a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and candidates for all 100 seats in the House of Delegates, Virginia LCV will be endorsing and helping elect conservation champions, while working hard to connect with voters across the state, making the link between environmental protections and public health and safety, and elevating climate action and the environment as core voter issues. More information about Virginia LCV’s electoral and endorsement efforts is available at www.valcvpac.org.
About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visitwww.valcv.org.
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