In December 2008, Governor Timothy M. Kaine launched Renew Virginia, a year-long series of legislative and administrative actions promoting renewable energy, creating green jobs, and encouraging preservation of the environment.
Governor Kaine won passage of several bills advancing his initiative during the 2009 session of the General Assembly, including rewarding electric utilities for productively investing in energy efficiency, setting a goal of raising the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 15 percent by 2025, and encouraging development of biofuels from non-food crops.
He also has continued to work toward his goal of forever protecting 400,000 acres of open space from development, a goal he will reach during his term.
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Governor Introduces New Program to Review Emissions From Older Facilities
On June 23, Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced a groundbreaking initiative to survey air pollution from facilities throughout the Commonwealth that were initially grandfathered by the 1970 federal Clean Air Act. Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will determine whether older facilities previously not subject to direct reviews currently comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The survey is a major administrative action as part of Governor Kaine's Renew Virginia initiative and will enable DEQ to work with individual facilities as appropriate to reduce pollution and ensure compliance with air quality standards. Virginia will be the first state in the nation to systematically evaluate the emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particles at grandfathered sources.
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New Program Aims to Reduce Environmental Impacts of Virginia Tourism Industry 
The Renew Virginia initiative includes the following actions :
- Under the leadership of Secretary of Commerce and trade Patrick O. Gottschalk, an Interagency Task Force for Energy Project Recruitment will work with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to build Virginia’s compelling case for renewable energy-related businesses. The task force will include state agencies, university research centers, and federal laboratories based in Virginia.
- The Governor has tasked VEDP with assembling an aggressive marketing plan for promoting Virginia’s business case for new investments and employment generating projects in renewable energy production and energy efficiency projects.
- The Governor’s 2009 legislative package, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks, will improve energy conservation, encourage green businesses to relocate to the Commonwealth, and help create a customer base for those already present.
- Through his roles as Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council and of the Southern Governor’s Association, Governor Kaine has pledged to work for more aggressive policies for Bay cleanup, and to create a dialogue within the Southern States on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and how our natural resources can be an asset for the nation in the area of energy independence.
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Governor Lauds Fauquier County Stream Restoration Unveiling
Landowners Dennis and Tracey Liberson restored more than a mile of Bolling Branch and 2,300 additional feet of tributary streams that flow through their property in an effort to improve water quality for people and wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
"I am extremely thankful to the Libersons for their care of this property," Governor Kaine said. "As my Administration continues our quest to conserve 400,000 acres of open space in Virginia, I commend the Libersons for setting an example and a high standard for all of us."
A New Agreement to Address Climate Change Issues is Forged with the Federal Republic of Germany
Governor Timothy M. Kaine and Germany's Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Sigmar Gabriel, signed a bilateral Joint Declaration at the German Embassy today that commits each government to the common goals of combating the effects of climate change, achieving greater energy efficiency, collaborating on energy research and development initiatives, and developing a more climate-friendly economy. This is the second bilateral climate change agreement signed by Governor Kaine. In February, Governor Kaine signed a similar agreement with the United Kingdom.
Action on Energy Bills Advancing Renew Virginia Initiative is Announced
Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced action taken on several energy bills as part of his Renew Virginia initiative. Legislators are scheduled to consider the Governor's actions during a reconvened session on Wednesday, April 8, 2009.
"Legislative action is a major part of my Renew Virginia initiative, and the energy bills I have signed will move Virginia toward a more sustainable and energy efficient future," Governor Kaine said. "We must continue to reduce our impact on the environment while ensuring that we have reliable and reasonably priced energy sources."
See all Governor's Releases for Renew Virginia