Virginia is for lovers. But nowadays it is also for Green extremists.

Leftists are abusing the levers of power to force a radical climate change agenda on their constituents.

Through a new law entitled the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) that was just signed by Governor Northam this week, the Left plans on mandating 100% “renewable” electricity by 2040 – which will increase annual utility bills by at least $500.

The VCEA is just the Green New Deal with a different name.

Collister Johnson, who sits on CFACT’s Board of Advisers, has been instrumental in orchestrating the ever-growing push back against this Green policy initiative.

Johnson has just been named as a senior adviser to The Northern Virginia Republican Business Forum (NVRBF). The NVRBF has now officially announced they are joining the effort to petition Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to rescind the VCEA.

In the NVRBF’s press release, CFACT’s article summarizing why the policies contained in the VCEA are such a bad deal for Virginia was prominently featured. Here’s an excerpt:

“This law requires the State’s energy companies to convert to ‘net zero’ carbon dioxide emissions.  In Dominion Energy’s recent plan submitted to the State Corporation Commission, to achieve this goal Dominion will raise each electricity user’s yearly bill by 40% or $500 more per year than the average Virginian now pays and ruin the environment with the clear cutting of 490 square miles of Virginia forest land.”

The NVRBF goes on to explain that since the COVID crisis began, there are an estimated $184 million in unpaid electric bills from Virginians who can no longer pay to keep the lights on. While a moratorium on disconnecting residents from power is in place, it will expire on August 31st. Even if that deadline is extended, residents are still on the hook for the rate debts they have accumulated.

Virginia’s legislators have enacted a law that will make this mountain of electricity debt even more daunting for the Commonwealth’s poorest residents.

What’s worse, is that the VCEA will have zero benefit to Virginia’s environment.

CFACT’s Johnson explains further:

“The VCEA has absolutely zero positive impact on climate, and a devastating negative impact on the environment. Under the VCEA, Virginia will not have cleaner air, purer water, or a more beautiful countryside. Fifteen years from now, not a single Virginian will be able to feel, touch, or smell any difference or improvement in the environment resulting from the VCEA. But they will be able to see a landscape ruined by solar panel eyesores and ugly transmission towers.”

It’s all economic pain for no environmental gain. Clearly Virginia deserves better.