Energy Capital of the East Coast

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

The Governor's 2011 Conference on Energy has been announced for October 17-19 at the Richmond Convention Center.  Once again the logo for the conference proclaims "Virginia:  Energy Capital of the East Coast."  For a state that imports nearly 20 percent of its electricity and virtually all its petroleum products and is in the lower half of the states in promoting alternative energy sources, the claim that the Governor tosses around in his speeches that Virginia is the East Coast's energy capital hardly seems to fit reality.  If the slogan is to indicate the debates that are likely to take place in the Commonwealth next year on energy issues, it might be a better fit.

The Energy Capital of the East Coast is likely to see intense debates next year on uranium mining, off-shore drilling, wind farms, fracking, and renewable energy sources.  A move on the part of uranium mining interests will attempt to repeal the ban on mining uranium that has been in place for several decades.  While the current focus is on mining in Southside, a repeal would affect all deposits in the state including those closer to the water supply of Northern Virginia.  I and the conservation community oppose lifting the ban because of the potential risks to human health and safety.

Although the amount of oil off-shore of Virginia is debatable, the Governor continues to promote "drill, baby, drill!" as a solution to many of the state's problems including funding transportation.  There will be a move on the part of the Governor to secure leases from the federal government.  Whether such leases will be available is unknown, and whether Virginia could realize any tax money from them is highly problematic.  The most recent oil spill along the Gulf coast quelled much of the interest in drilling off the coast of Virginia.  Of much greater interest recently has been the prospect of wind farms off the Virginia coast to generate electricity.  Technical studies have found that the wind off the Virginia coast is strong and sustainable enough to support wind turbines to generate electricity.  The gigantic turbines would be far enough off the coast so as to be barely visible from land.  Financing of such a project seems to be the major hurdle.

Natural gas extraction in the state will be controversial as proposals are made to use fracking to free natural gas from the shale.  Under this method, water and chemicals are pumped into the shale under tremendous pressure causing the shale to fracture and release the gas.  The impact on the water supply of the chemicals used is open to serious discussions as there are currently claims in Pennsylvania that drinking well have been adversely affected.

With these heavyweight issues, alternative energy will not receive much attention.  Maybe Virginia is the energy-debate capital of the East!

 by the Virginia and Fairfax

 Education Associations

This month the Virginia Education Association and the Fairfax Education Association endorsed Ken's campaign for re-election to the House of Delegates.  Ken's consistent support and strong advocacy for public education as a legislator and citizen earned him VEA's "Solid as a Rock" award earlier this year.  Kitty Boitnott, VEA President, said, "I look forward to working with you in the next session to restore the cuts to public education funding and to work to ensure that our schools have the state support that they need to prepare Virginia's children for tomorrow's jobs."  

County Announces CERT 

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team.  CERT is about readiness, people helping people, and rescuer safety.  CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency situations where citizens initially will be on their own and their actions can make a difference.  Training is conducted by Firefighters or other trained CERT leaders.  Sessions are usually scheduled either on successive weekends or weekday evenings.  People who have taken the CERT training are better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster.  Trained individuals and teams are ready to:

* provide immediate assistance to victims in their neighborhood

* organize spontaneous, untrained volunteers to provide needed services

* collect disaster intelligence to assist professional responders who are trying to allocate limited resources

Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/citizencorps/cert.htm for more information about this exciting program.

Personal Property Tax Due October 5 

The 2011 Personal Property (car) Tax bills are being mailed to Fairfax County residents, with payment due by October 5.  There is no vehicle decal unless you are a resident of Clifton or Herndon and then you are required to purchase a decal from your town.  More informaiton on the Personal Property Tax can be found at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta or call 703.222.8234, TTY 703.222.7594.  Tax relief may be available to residents age 65 and older or individuals with disabilities.  In additionk, effective January 1, 2011, eligible disabled veterans residing in Fairfax County can receive tax relief on one motor vehicle owned and regularly used by the disabled veteran. Go to the website or call for details.

Daytime Volunteers Needed 

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging's Volunteer Solutions program has a need for daytime volunteers to drive people to medical appointments.  Volunteers may drive as their schedules permit.  For more informaiton, call the Volunteer Intake Line at 703.324.5406; TTY 711, email dfsaaavolunteer@fairfaxcounty.gov or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteersolutions.htm.