Virginia Renew Virginia http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/rss/HomePageRSS.cfm Renew Virginia - Latest News Releases (c) Renew Virginia 2009 Commonwealth of Virginia <![CDATA[Governor Kaine Announces More Land Preserved Toward 400,000 Acre Goal]]> October 22 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today highlighted the Virginia Outdoors Foundation's approval of 17,000 acres throughout Virginia to be placed under conservation easement. He also announced that the Roanoke City Council has agreed to support plans to establish two perpetual conservation easements on Mill Mountain and the surrounding 600 acre park.

"One of the best things we can do for our children today is to preserve the environment for tomorrow," Governor Kaine said. "These actions will bring us even closer to meeting my goal of preserving 400,000 acres of open space by the end of the decade."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1119 <![CDATA[Governor Kaine Encourages Virginians to Use Energy Sales Tax Holiday Starting Today]]> October 9 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine encouraged Virginians to take advantage of the state's third annual sales tax holiday on ENERGY STAR and WaterSense-qualified products.

During this annual holiday, which will take place October 9-12, consumers can save money by buying certain qualified products tax-exempt, which will also deliver savings for years to come through lower home utility bills. As with last year's holiday, high-efficiency products with ENERGY STAR or WaterSense certification will be exempt from sales tax.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1110 <![CDATA[New Regulation to Protect Seaside Waters for Aquaculture Operations is Announced]]> October 7 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced a new regulation to reduce shellfish condemnations on the Eastern Shore by protecting clam and oyster production in seaside waters. The regulation ensures that the best wastewater disposal methods are evaluated, resulting in the least environmental impact.

"Clams and oysters are vital to Virginia's economy and thriving environment," Governor Kaine said. "This new regulation protects the seaside waters that clams and oysters need to thrive. In addition, it will safeguard important shellfish habitat areas and the sustainability of Virginia's aquaculture industry by providing additional protection for these waters on the Eastern Shore."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1107 <![CDATA[Governor Kaine Announces $40 Million in Recovery Funds for State Energy Plan ]]> October 6 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the allocation of $40 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to implement the Virginia State Energy Plan (SEP), a blueprint for funding energy-related initiatives throughout Virginia. The funding will help create jobs, encourage energy conservation, and promote alternative energy generation through rebates to residential and commercial consumers, as well as grants to localities and individual projects.

"Today's announcement is another positive step forward in improving the high quality of life that Virginia is known and continually recognized for," Governor Kaine said.

The $40 million in ARRA funding will be allocated to the Virginia Efficiency Rebate Program, the Renewable Energy Rebate Program and for biomass and waste-to-energy projects.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1106 <![CDATA[Significant Improvements in Virginia Air Quality is Announced ]]> October 2 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced significant improvements in Virginia's air quality during the past decade. Between 1999 and 2009, the Commonwealth saw a 96 percent decrease in the number of days that exceeded the national air quality standard for ground-level ozone at monitoring stations statewide, with summer 2009 standing out as the best year on record.

"We've made incredible strides in the last decade to improve our air quality through deliberate pollution reduction initatives," Governor Kaine said. "By tackling ozone pollution in particular, we're making steady gains that protect the environment, promote human health, and will continue to benefit Virginians for generations to come."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1102 <![CDATA[Energy Efficiency Rebates and Third Annual Energy Sales Tax Holiday Announced ]]> October 1 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced thelaunch of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate program, a new program toencourage the purchase of high-efficiency equipment and products. The programwill use $15 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment actto provide rebates to residential and commercial consumers on certain qualifyingequipment and products.

Governor Kaine also highlighted Virginia's third annualsales tax holiday on ENERGY STAR and WaterSense qualified products, which willtake place October 9-12, 2009. During this annual holiday, consumers can savemoney by buying certain qualified products tax-exempt, which will also deliversavings for years to come through lower home utility bills. As with last year'sholiday, high-efficiency products with ENERGY STAR or WaterSense certificationwill be exempt from sales tax.

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    • ]]>     http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1101     <![CDATA[72 New Jobs in Green Building Sector is Announced ]]> October 1 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced that Shenandoah Sustainable Technologies, LLC (SST), a Rockingham County based sustainable construction company will add 72 jobs and $600,000 in capital investment throughout Virginia over the next three years. The company serves residential, commercial and faith-based communities with a variety of sustainable utilities, including geothermal heating/cooling systems, solar and wind power, and rainwater and wastewater collection systems.

    "One of the goals of my Renew Virginia Initiative is to position the Commonwealth as a leader in alternative energy generation, energy conservation, and research and development. An expansion like this, especially in these economic times, tells me that Virginia's business climate positions us well to come out of this recession strong," said Governor Kaine."By developing and nurturing a green energy industry here, we will not only address our growing energy needs in a more responsible way, but we will also help stimulate Virginia's economy."

    ]]>     http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1099     <![CDATA[Loan Program for Energy Efficiency Projects is Announced ]]> September 25 — Governor Kaine announced the recapitalization of the Commonwealth's Energy Leasing Program, a loan program to finance energy efficiency projects in state agencies. The Commonwealth has secured $40 million in financing for the projects, including $10 million in capital from Grant Capital Management, a state-certified SWAM vendor.

    "One of the goals of my Renew Virginia initiative is to make Virginia a leader in energy efficiency, and there's no better place to set a good example than in our state agencies and universities," said Governor Kaine.

    ]]>     http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1092     <![CDATA[Potential for Offshore Wind in Virginia is Highlighted ]]> September 22 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the Commonwealth's intentions to develop offshore wind resources. Following a multi-year study by the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, a number of offshore wind developers have contacted the Commonwealth to share their plans to lease federal waters off Virginia to develop wind power.

    "There is great potential for offshore wind development not just off the coast of Virginia but all along the Eastern Seaboard," Governor Kaine said. "With the great resources in the Hampton Roads region, Virginia has the added potential to be the manufacturing and economic center for this burgeoning green industry."

    ]]>     http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1084     <![CDATA[Partnership with Dominion Virginia Power to Promote Clean Fuel Vehicles is Announced ]]> September 22 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced as part of his Renew Virginia initiative a partnership with Dominion Virginia Power to install electric vehicle charging stations at certain state rest areas. These charging stations, installed at no cost to the state, are designed to accommodate most of today's hybrid electric vehicles and use of the stations will be complimentary. Earlier this month the first electric vehicle charging stations were installed at the westbound New Kent Safety Rest Area on Interstate 64 and can charge up to four vehicles at a time.

    The stations charge vehicles at 120 volts and will eventually be upgraded to 240 volts. During the fall, the Virginia Department of Transportation will continue to work with Dominion to identify other facilities for electric vehicle charging stations installations.

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