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September 26, 2007 |
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COMMENTARY An Energy Saving Plan Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently released Virginia's first-ever official Energy Plan required by legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2006. The Plan was developed by the Virginia Energy Plan Advisory Group representing citizens, consumers, environmental advocates, and Virginia energy producers. While the purpose of the Plan is to ensure reliable energy supplies at reasonable rates in the future, much of the emphasis is on the critically important need to conserve energy as a part of meeting future demand. The Plan seeks a 40 percent reduction in the rate of growth of energy use. The Plan proposes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025. It seeks to increase in-state energy production by 20 percent as a way to make the state energy independent through expanded production of traditional, renewable, and biofuel sources. The Plan calls for more consumer education programs to enlist consumers in the effort to reduce energy demand. As a result of my efforts and those of others, legislation passed this year to regulate the electric utility industry included an energy conservation goal of a ten percent reduction of 2006 electricity consumption by 2022. Estimates are that reaching that goal would reduce the need for four to five generation stations with Virginia consumers realizing in the range of $200 to $700 million in net savings through 2022. Transportation is the single largest energy using sector of Virginia's economy consuming 43 percent of total energy use in the state. Energy saving in this area could come from targeting the vehicle miles traveled through transit-oriented development, improved availability of mass transit, and fuel efficient and alternative fueled vehicles. Efforts are already underway to reduce energy use. The General Assembly approved a sales tax holiday from October 5 through October 8 for the purchase of qualified Energy Star appliances. The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy will distribute for free 20,000 compact fluorescent bulbs at the State Fair of Virginia in Richmond held September 27 through October 7. Dominion Virginia Power has filed an application with the State Corporation Commission to create energy conservation pilot programs to test the best ways to get the public to reduce its need for additional energy. The goals of the Virginia Energy Plan are modest compared to those in many states, but the good news is that there is a plan in place to move the Commonwealth in the direction of energy saving. The Plan is also positive in calling for the creation of a Climate Change Commission to assess the levels of Virginia's carbon emissions and to seek their reduction. Please review the Virginia Energy Plan at www.dmme.virginia.gov. Let me know your reaction, questions, or comments at kenplum@aol.com. |
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Delegate Ken Plum's Weekly "Virginia Report" |
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Tonight – Wednesday, September 26 at 10:30 p.m. – Sarasi Jayarante, high school student and founder of the Keep Reading Foundation – "The Gift of a Child's Future Through Books" Tuesday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 3 at 10:30 p.m. – Tom Whipple, Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas – "Reeducating Ourselves About Energy" |
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Re-Election Campaign |
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Ken is a candidate for re-election to the House of Delegates on November 6, 2007. To ask Ken a question about the issues, e-mail kenplum@aol.com. To contribute electronically to his campaign, go to www.kenplum.com. |
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Announcements |
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The proposed revisions to the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia have been published with the announcement of the agenda for the Virginia Board of Education meeting TODAY. The proposed revisions to the regulations can be viewed at www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/VA_Board/Meetings/207/sep-itemA.pdf. For complete information on the regulations and their revision process, including the process schedule and opportunities for public comment, go to www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/dueproc/regulationsCWD.html. VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES ESSAY CONTEST VIRGINIA CAREER WEEK: Discover Your Career is October 7-13. A special VIRGINIA CAREER WEEK Web page can be accessed at www.vcef.net. Events and resources are sponsored by the Virginia Career Education Foundation and Partners. An advanced visualization of the Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan using Google Earth is now available at www.mwcog.org/clrp_viz. See what's in the plan for 2030 around the region and in your neighborhood. OCTOBER IS VIRGINIA ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH VOTER REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE VOTING In Person Absentee Voting is available beginning Monday, September 24, at the Office of Elections, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax. In Person Absentee Voting will also be available at Fairfax County's seven satellite locations including the North County Government Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, beginning Wednesday, October 17. You can also vote absentee by mail, but you must submit an application for an absentee ballot by October 30 at 6:00 p.m. It is recommended that you send in your application well ahead of the October 30 deadline to guarantee that you will receive your absentee ballot in time to vote and return it before the November 6 election. All mailed absentee ballots must be received in the Electoral Board office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb for information about Absentee Voting and to download an application to vote absentee. |
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Calendar of Events |
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The State Fair of Virginia will be held September 27 through October 7 at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Visit www.statefairva.org for information about your favorite State Fair events including rides on teh Midway, concert schedule, livestock competitions, and blue ribbon exhibits. The Eighth Annual Mental Illness Awareness Week Conference, "Recovering Hope," will be held on Friday, September 28, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks, 11787 Lee Jackson Highway. For information call the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board at 703.324.7000. Sign up for the Northern Neck River Ride in Kilmarnock, Virginia, September 28-30, 2007. Virginia's Northern Neck, "the Garden of Virginia," is the host for the 2nd Annual Northern Neck River Ride. Tour this special and unique peninsula located between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers with 500 cycling enthusiasts. Register at www.riverride.org. Recycle your old computer equipment and shred personal documents for recycling at Fall for Fairfax on Saturday, September 29, 10:00 a.m . to 4:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, Lot B, 12000 Government Center Parkway. Annandale United Methodist Church presents "A Community Dialogue on Homelessness" on Sunday, September 30, 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Be a part of a frank discussion about homelessness in Fairfax County. Learn how you can be a part of the solution. Contact JoAnne Jennings at 703.324.3453 or visit www.Annandale-umc.org and click on the Community Dialogue. Another sales tax holiday is coming up! From October 5 to October 8 both state and local sales tax are not to be charged when you purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products that cost $2500 or less. The following products are eligible: ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, and room air conditioners. ENERGY STAR qualified products use 30% less energy than conventional models without sacrificing features, style or comfort. The James River Green Building Council will present "Re-Nature by Design: Overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder in Our Communities" on Friday, October 12, 2007, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond. More information about the symposium can be found at www.jrgbc.org. Save the date for THE RESTON HOME TOUR – Showcasing Reston's Savory Style on October 13, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Enjoy a self-guided tour of five extraordinary private homes in Reston's unique neighborhoods featuring new and renovated kitchens, outstanding collections, remarkable architecture and interior design. Meet Walter Scheib, former White House Chef, in the Manor House kitchen at Linden Springs where he'll tell 'insider' anecdotes, demonstrate his culinary skills, offer tastings and signed copies of his new book, White House Chef – Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen (until 4:00 p.m. – tour continues until 5:00 p.m.) From 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Wine Cabinet at North Point Village will offer wine tasting, appetizers and wine education. Ticket Prices: Until October 5, $20; October 6-13, $30; Groups of 10 or more, $20 each. Tickets are now on sale at Reston Museum and more Reston venues posted on www.restonmuseum.org. This year's Commonwealth of Virginia Energy & Sustainability (COVES) Conference will be held on October 16-18 at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. Visit www.covesva.org for registration and conference details. National Constitutional Convention: A Call to Reform, a national conversation on the U.S. Constitution and needed changes, is sponsored by the University of Virginia Center for Politics and will be held on October 19 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Register at www.centerforpolitics.org. The "2007 National Conference on the Creative Economy – Successful Companies, Engaged Communities" will be held October 24-25 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Visit www.creativeeconomies.org for more information. The Greater Washington Board of Trade's 2007 Potomac Conference will be "Green as a Competitive Advantage" held on Monday, October 29, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Key Bridge Marriott, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington, and on Tuesday, October 30, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, DC. This conference will gather regional business, government, and civic leaders to develop a regional leadership agenda that positions our region at the forefront of sustainability, environmental protection, and "green" business. Call 202.857.5970 or visit www.bot.org. Attend the Family Day Care Provider Professional Development Conference on Tuesday, October 30, at the Waterford at Fair Oaks, 12025 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax. For more information visit www.infanttoddler.com. The Center for Multicultural Human Services presents "We Are America Now: A Celebration of Immigrant Contributions to our Community" on Friday, November 2, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the McLean Hilton. Visit www.cmhs.org for information about nominations for leadership awards to be presented at this event and to register. Teen Driving SafeD Day – "One Day to Save the Rest of the Days of Your Life" – will take place Saturday, November 3, at the Fairfax County Government Center. Federal, state, local, and private agencies and organizations will be setting up displays, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and be presenting seminars to teens and their parents on the issues relating to teen driving safety. Visit www.TeenDrivingSafeD.org for more information. The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council will host a one-day regional conference, "Turning a New Leaf," on Friday, November 9, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus. The conference will feature tracks on conservation landscapes, green development, and creative stormwater management. Topics include eco-friendly lawns, native alternatives to traditional plantings, backyard forests, rain gardens, stream restoration techniques, and public-private partnerships for green development. Registration has begun. Visit chesapeakelandscape.org for more details. The Virginia Recycling Association will hold its Annual Meeting of the Members on Friday, November 9, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville. To join the VRA and/or register for the Annual Meeting, visit www.varecycles.org or call the VRA at 804.302.4231. Citizens may review and comment on potential ("candidate") transportation projects and programs to be included in the Commonwealth Transportation Board's Six-Year Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2009-2014. The meeting will be held on November 13, 6:00 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Contact Laura Southard at Laura.Southard@VDOT.Virginia.gov or call 804.370.8109 for more information. Attend the "Development and Urban Forest: Discovering Common Ground" conference on Friday, November 16, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Algonkian Conference Center at Algonkian Regional Park, 47001 Fairway Driver, Sterling, VA. For registration information, contact Becky Woodson at becky.woodson@dot.virginia.gov. |
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Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum
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Delegate Kenneth R. Plum | 2073 Cobblestone Lane | Reston | VA | 20191 |
