Our next Green Drinks meeting will be on Wednesday, February 26, 6 pm at YNot Italian in Greenbrier. Speaker is TBD.
What is Green Drinks? Green Drinks is mostly for people working on environmental issues, but anyone can come -- people from environmental groups, businesses, government, academia, and as individuals. There is no 'us and them'. Green Drinks is a chance to mingle, share insights, inspire and delight each other. Come out and order some food or a drink (each participant pays for their own drinks and food; if drinking, please do so responsibly!) and join the conversation. Please do share the invite with others who may be interested.
Story of Plastic
"The Story of Plastic is a searing exposé revealing the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. Different from every other plastic documentary you’ve seen, The Story of Plastic presents a cohesive timeline of how we got to our current global plastic pollution crisis and how the oil and gas industry has successfully manipulated the narrative around it. From the extraction of fossil fuels and plastic disposal to the global resistance fighting back, The Story of Plastic is a life-changing, Emmy-winning film depicting one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. A discussion with local experts will follow." - Sierra Club post.
Citizens for Responsible Lighting
General Assembly Updates
Cross Over Date for the General Assembly is Tuesday, February 4th. This is the date by which all bills introduced in one chamber need to be passed in that chamber (e.g. the House) and then "cross over" to the other chamber (e.g. the Senate) to be considered. From the Virginia Conservation Network and other sources, here are the status of some bills of interest:
HB 1883 - Passed House 96-0; referred to Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor
SB 1040 - Passed Senate 26-14; sent to House
- Modifies the renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) program for electric utilities, specifically expanding the definition of "behind-the-meter solar" to include solar electric generation and battery storage systems connected on the customer's side of the utility meter. The bill increases the requirement for Phase II utilities to meet a portion of their RPS program requirements with behind-the-meter solar, wind, or anaerobic digestion resources of three megawatts or less, starting at 3% in 2026 and increasing to 5% in 2028. It also removes the previous 50-kilowatt minimum requirement for solar or wind generation facilities to qualify for third-party power purchase agreements.
HB 1941 - Passed House 66-33; referred to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
SB 1166 - Passed Senate 29-9; sent to House
SB 1166 - Passed Senate 29-9; sent to House
- Mandates that retailers must post conspicuous signage near each invasive plant display that identifies the plant as invasive, educates consumers about invasive plant species, and encourages them to ask about alternative plant options.
HB 1950 - Assigned to House Appropriation Committee, Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
- Establishes a new Living Shoreline Grant Fund to be administered by the Marine Resources Commission, with the purpose of providing grants to local governments or federally recognized tribes in Virginia to match federal or other funding sources.
HB 2638 - Reported from House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources 22-0; sent to full House, vote on Monday, Feb 3.
- expands local government authority to conserve and replace trees during the development process, increasing tree canopy percentage requirement particularly for low density developments. Allows hardship exceptions. Allows localities to monitor tree canopy conditions for up to 20 years after planting. Provides detailed provisions for how tree canopy can be preserved, replaced, or credited, including allowances for off-site tree planting, preservation of existing trees, and bonus credits for planting trees that provide environmental benefits like pollution reduction or wildlife habitat. Additionally, the bill enables localities to establish tree canopy banks or funds to facilitate tree preservation and planting efforts
SB 823 - Passed Senate 21-19; sent to House
- Requires Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power to develop comprehensive plans for renewable energy facility construction that prioritize local economic development and workforce opportunities. Specifically, when constructing renewable energy facilities, these utilities must submit a plan to the State Corporation Commission (SCC) that addresses (1) utilizing local workers, (2) demonstrating economic development benefits for Virginia including capital investments and job creation, (3) advancing workforce development goals through apprenticeship and training programs, and (4) prioritizing hiring and training of local workers, workers from historically economically disadvantaged communities, and veterans.
SB 960 - Reported from Senate Finance and Appropriations with substitute, 11-4, sent to full Senate
- Directs the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to investigate whether the current method of allocating electricity costs unfairly requires non-data center customers to subsidize the electricity costs of data centers.
SB 1077 - Senate Commerce and Labor Hearing on Feb 3
- (Recommend Oppose) Repeals several existing provisions related to carbon dioxide emissions regulations and renewable energy portfolio standards.
See more environmental bills and details at Virginia Conservation Network Bill Tracker
HPPDC Climate Action
At their January 16th meeting, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) board approved updated Resilient Design Standards advising local governments to factor in increases in rainfall and sea level. The planning commission recommends that local officials plan for
- plan for at least 1.5 feet of relative sea level rise by 2050, 3 feet by 2080 and 4.5 feet by 2100,
- plan for precipitation levels that account for projected climate change, adopting a standard that increases NOAA Atlas 14 values by a minimum of 10%,
- incorporate "tailwater elevations" used for stormwater management calculations and design standards accounts for sea level rise based on projected project lifespan.
- should account for sea level rise based on projected project lifespan.
- adopt design storm requirements that account for this sea level rise and increased rainfall.
Virginia Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP)
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is hosting public outreach meetings across the Commonwealth to solicit community feedback on strategies and actions for DEQ’s development of a statewide Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). This plan will focus on identifying Virginia-specific opportunities and challenges, as well as evaluating potential paths to reduce climate pollution. The Tidewater public meeting will be held at 6pm on February 5, 2025, at the DEQ Tidewater Regional Office, 5636 Southern Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Meeting materials will be provided prior to the meeting date via the CPRG Bulletin, DEQ's website (https://www.deq.virginia.gov/CPRG), and Virginia Regulatory Town Hall. Materials will also be distributed in-person. There will be a virtual listening option via Webex for those unable to attend in-person. CCAP Tidewater Regional Office Community Listening Session | Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Calendar | Virginia DEQ
Connecting Chesapeake
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Because of the configuration of our roadways, including chokepoints created by waterways and highways, much of the proposed Connecting Chesapeake routes overlap with the designated Core Network routes in the Trails and Connectivity Plan approved by the City Council in November. This includes the routes along Military Highway, Battlefield Blvd/Atlantic Avenue, and Indian River Road. The City has approved funding for bike lanes on Indian River Road and is currently doing design work. Likewise, the City of Norfolk has SmartScale funding to implement bike lanes on Indian River Road, Campostella Road (north extension of Atlantic Ave), and Wilson Road with implementation expected to start next year. Volvo Parkway with its existing 7' to 8' sidewalk/multiuse path is another critical connection in Chesapeake for bicycles and the Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee is advocating to extend this path all the way to Battlefield Blvd.
Feedback has been provided to HRT regarding the need to incorporate these bike route plans into their design work. Transit and bike lanes can and do co-exist in many cities. It is not and should not be an either/or proposition. HRT will be providing a briefing to the City Council at their Work Session on February 25.
City Planning Updates
Haven't heard much new information on City efforts to update the Comprehensive Plan. No new public meetings have been announced.
The Greenbrier Area Plan is planning on holding a public meeting, perhaps in March, to share the draft plan with a target of getting the plan approved by mid-summer.
The Deep Creek Area Plan should start public engagement in the spring.
The Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master Plan update is expecting to have its next Advisory Committee meeting in February.
Planning Commission Updates
In December, the Planning Commission acted on the following. These should go before City Council in January:
- (Recommended Approval) The South Norfolk Historic District Design Guidelines focusing on guidelines to help ensure that renovations and construction within the district were appropriate to the historic character and qualities of the neighborhood.
- (Recommended Denial) Homestead Pet Crematorium that would have a net loss of about 0.6 acres of tree canopy in the Sunray area.
The Raceway Fueling Station on the corner of Battlefield and Robert Hall Blvds. on a currently undeveloped wooded lot that would have a net loss of about 2.5 acres of tree canopy was Continued Indefinitely (no new date set for review).
In January, the Planning Commission Meeting Agenda has no projects of significant impact.
City Council Updates
In January, the City Council
- Approved Tow Yard on a 1.1 acre lot in Camelot
Action Alerts
- Chesapeake residents in the Elizabeth River watershed can receive a free native tree from the Elizabeth River Project. Limit one tree per home; homeowners are responsible for planting and providing proof of planting within 30 days. Free Tree Program - Elizabeth River Project
Volunteer Opportunities
- Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism: 2025 Volunteering Opportunities - Park and Facility Planning Division (signupgenius.com)
- Friends of Indian River Volunteer Opportunities including Adopt-A-Park/Invasive Species Removal at Indian River Park
In the News
- Trump Executive Orders Target Environmental Policies and Regulations - National Law Review
- 2024 Is Officially the Hottest Year on Record | Scientific American
- Most of Greenbrier Mall to be auctioned off in February | WAVY.com
Stay on top of the latest news and join the conversation in our Facebook group at Greening Chesapeake.
