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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia E-News |
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| Commentary |
Savings through Energy Efficiency
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Save some money and energy by purchasing Energy Star appliances during Virginia's sales tax holiday October 10-13. During this period, purchases of certain Energy Star and WaterSense products purchased for non-commercial use and costing $2,500 or less will be exempt from sales tax. Eligible Energy Star items include dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, air conditioners, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and programmable thermostats that carry the Energy Star designation. The exempt WaterSense items include bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories, and toilets. Your immediate savings will be the amount of the sales tax, but your long-term savings will be in a reduced demand for energy to power the more efficient appliances.
Recent research indicates that similar savings could be realized across society, and our current energy crisis could be averted through energy efficiencies. The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) terms energy efficiency "the quickest, cleanest, and cheapest solution to our current energy crisis - as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as to address issues such as energy security and pollution." (www.ase.org) A recent report from the Alliance, "Funding Mechanisms for Energy Efficiency," provides information on other ways states can directly fund energy efficiency programs beyond the sales tax holiday as offered in Virginia.
A report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) issued last month found that "by investing in energy-efficient technologies, the Commonwealth of Virginia can reduce its electricity needs by one-fifth; deliver cleaner, less expensive power to Virginia consumers; create thousands of new jobs; and better position the state to more cost effectively meet its future energy requirements." (www.aceee.org) The ACEEE report agreed with that of the ASE that "energy efficiency and demand response are the lowest-cost resources available to meet the growing energy demand and the quickest to deploy for near-term impacts." ACEEE estimates that an average household in Virginia could save $5 on its monthly electricity bill by 2015 and $20 per month by 2025 by participating in energy efficiency programs.
As a member of Governor Kaine's Climate Change Commission I will be working for inclusion of energy efficiency policies in its report and for passage of legislation to increase energy efficiency efforts. In the meantime, there are many actions that we as consumers can take to reduce our personal demand for electricity. In addition to purchasing Energy Star appliances, we can use programmable thermostats in our homes, use only CFL bulbs, turn off the lights when we leave the room, and have an energy audit completed on our homes. My weekly Virginia E-News electronic newsletter contains regular suggestions on energy reduction for homeowners. Go to www.kenplum.com to subscribe. There is too much potential for savings in energy through efficiencies to not become part of our individual behavior as well as public policy in the Commonwealth. |
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Delegate Plum's
"Virginia Report"
on Reston Comcast
Channel 28 |
Tonight - Wednesday, October
8 at 10:30 p.m. - Patricia Nicoson, Dulles Corridor Rail Association - "Dulles Rail Rolls Forward"
Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 15 at 10:30 p.m. - Dr. Sean O'Brien, Center for the Constitution at Montpelier - "The Birth of Our Constitution"
Online - Watch this week's show and other "Virginia Report" programs at: http://www.rc
tv28.com/video
VR.htm. | |
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| Climate Change Citizen Action |
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According to Natural Lifestyle NEWS, solar water heating systems are an ideal investment for use in the Mid-Atlantic region. Depending on how much space you have facing south, southeast, or southwest, you can use the energy of the sun to create warm water for your home. Find out more at www.naturallifestyle.net/September30-2008.htm. Samsung Electronics America Inc. has launched a recycling program to take back consumer electronics in all 50 states at no cost. The company will offer permanent collection sites for consumers to drop off their old Samsung electronics, excluding home appliances. It also will hold collection events in partnership with electronics recyclers and retailers across the country, where it will accept its old products free of charge. It will accept non-Samsung products for a fee. A list of the fixed drop-off locations and scheduled collection events is available at www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect. |
| Voting Information for November 4 Election |
Check Your Voter Registration Status:
Take advantage of a new web tool to confirm your registration status, polling location, and other vital information. Visit www.sbe.virginia.gov, click on "Online Services" at left, and then select "Verify Your Voter Registration Status" or call 703.222.0776.
Absentee Voting:
The Fairfax County Office of Elections initiative, "Voters on the Move," informs registered voters about the options for absentee voting in this fall's November 4 General Election. Fairfax County voters who will be commuting and working for 11 or more hours on Election Day, between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., may qualify to vote by absentee ballot. Information on who is eligible to vote absentee is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb/absentee.htm. To make absentee voting accessible, the Office of Elections offers in-person absentee voting at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, through Saturday, November 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Absentee Voting will also be available at seven satellite locations throughout the county on Wednesday, October 15 through Saturday, November 1. Satellite times and locations are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb. To facilitate the absentee voting process, the Office of Elections Web page, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb, has an interactive online absentee ballot application form. The link allows eligible voters to complete their application directly online. The form may then be printed, signed, and either faxed or mailed to the Office of Elections. The Web page also includes information about absentee voting deadlines, eligibility guidelines, and voting absentee in-person.
Applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received by Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at 5:00 p.m.
Final day to vote absentee in person is Saturday, November 1, 2008.
For detailed information about absentee voting and related topics visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb.
Election officers are needed to assist with the conduct of the General Election on November 4. Apply today at www.sbe.Virginia.gov/officers.
Parks Bond Referendum Information:
Information about this year's Fairfax parks bond referendum is now available on the Fairfax County Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bond. This online resource offers specific information about projects expected to be funded, general information about bonds, and a form to request a presentation about the referendum. |
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Announcements |
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Ken and Jane Plum have a new grandson, Conrad Anthony Kilinski, born October 3. He lives with his parents Helen and Steve Kilinski and big sister Emma (nearly 3 years old) in Fredericksburg.
Virginia is leading the nation in growth of high-tech exports, according to the American Electronics Association (AeA), the nation's largest high-technology trade association. Virginia experienced a $1.1 billion increase in high-tech goods exports since 2006 - the largest increase of any state. The growth led to an 11th-place national ranking for Virginia compared to its 21st-place ranking in 2006. The finding was released last week in AeA's annual report, "Trade in the Cyberstates 2008: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade," which ranks all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Virginia also recently received the Presidential "E Star" Award personally from President George W. Bush for superior export performance.
For the third straight year, Virginia has ranked at the top of Forbes.com's "Best State for Business" list. The Commonwealth finished in the top 10 in four of the six categories examined in the annual review published by Forbes.com, the online arm of Forbes magazine. The survey examined states in six categories: business and living costs; job and income growth; business climate; educational attainment; venture capital investment and quality of life.
Metro's Customer Satisfaction Measure (CSM) finds that 85 percent of Metrorail riders and 78 percent of Metrobus riders are satisfied with Metro service. The numbers have remained constistent since 2004 when Metro started the customer satisfaction survey. In addition, 95 percent of Metrobus riders and 98 percent of Metrorail riders said they would recommend Metro to a friend or relative. |
| Calendar of Events |
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The League of Women Voters is holding Voter 101 classes - "Everything You Need to Know and Share about Elections" and "So You Think You Have a Right to Vote." Obtain the latest information on election. Classes are as follows: Today - Wednesday, October 8, 7:30 p.m., Chantilly Regional Library; Sunday, October 12, 2:00 p.m., Sherwood Regional Library; and Wednesday, October 15, 7:30 p.m., Reston Regional Library.
Oktoberfest is returning to the Reston Town Center Pavilion on October 10 and 11, 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, it features the best in fall brews and delicious traditional Oktoberfest faire from area restaurants. Enjoy live entertainment at the main Pavilion throughout the event. Visit www.restonchamber.org for information about sponsorship and restaurant participation opportunities.
The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program and Covanta Energy will host a secure document shredding and compact fluorescent light recycling event on Saturday, October 11, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Braddock District Supervisor's Office at 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke. The event is free and open to all Fairfax County residents. Bring up to 5 medium-sized boxes of documents per household to be shredded. Bring compact fluorescent bulbs for recycling; broken bulbs will be accepted if they are securely wrapped in plastic. No long fluorescent tubes, please. Event details for this and future environmental events may be found at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/recycling.
The 7th Annual Reston Home Tour will be on Saturday, October 18, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year's tour, "A New Perspective," will feature five private homes and a special chef presentation at Linden Springs Manor House. Get tickets online at www.restonmuseum.org. Those interested in being a Reston Home Tour docent may contact Donna Shaffer at [email protected] or 703.437.1099. The Reston Home Tour is presented by Reston Historic Trust to benefit Reston Museum at Lake Anne Village Center.
Join in the Community Walk for the Homeless on Sunday, October 19, 2:00 p.m. at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, 11975 Bowman Towne Drive. Walk from the Shelter to St. Anne's Episcopal Church, where educational activities for all ages will be offered before returning to the Shelter. The walk is approximately 2 miles long and will take 2 hours. For registration and more details, contact Alexandra Robbins at [email protected] or call 571.323.9572.
Attend a unique opportunity to learn about truancy and dropout prevention from nationally known experts by attending the Truancy and Dropout Prevention Policies: Strategies for Virginia's Youth seminar on October 22, 2008, in House Room 3 of the Capitol in Richmond. Coffee will be served at 9:00 a.m., and the seminar will begin at 9:30 a.m. Contact the Virginia Commission on Youth at 804.371.2481 for more information.
The Virginia Council for Litter Prevention & Recycling will host a conference October 22-24 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fredericksburg. Save the date; more information on registration will be available soon.
Our troops need support from us at home. Support our men and women deployed overseas by participating in an ongoing project called Adopt a Soldier. Give a few hours of your time on Saturday, October 25, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the James Lee Community Center, 2855-A Annandale Road, Falls Church, to pack "We Care Packages" for the soldiers. Collect or donate items to pack in the boxes. Individuals or groups can collect items to be placed in teh boxes. Items can be dropped off at the James Lee Community Center by October 24. Call 703.324.4386 for more information about volunteering.
Are you new to Reston? Get to know your Reston Association (RA) at an event for newcomers and also for those not-so-new to Reston on Thursday, November 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at RA's Main Conference Room, 1930 Isaac Newton Square. Learn more about RA and its many services, amenities, and programs available to you. Meet staff and Board members, and find out about volunteer opportunities. Light refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded.
Join the Reston Epilepsy Awareness Stroll on Saturday, November 15, 2008, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School. For questions, to volunteer, and to register, contact Dana Douglas at [email protected], 703.698.0229, or contact Kristen Cortes at [email protected], 724.944.7685. There will be free t-shirts for walkers donating $20.00 or more.
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Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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