Terry McAuliffe is announcing a plan today to combat the harmful effects of climate change. The plan also includes an effort to secure a clean energy future for Virginia by setting a target to reach 100% clean energy by 2035, aligning the Commonwealth with President Biden’s climate goals and efforts to pass a federal climate and infrastructure bill this year.
The plan includes investing in energy efficiency, restructuring Virginia’s regulatory structure to protect consumers and incentivize the transition, and decarbonizing Virginia’s transportation sector.
McAulliffe anticipates that 13,000 new jobs a year will become available to help Virginia transfer to new energy. Part of his plan includes collaborating with Virginia’s institutions of higher education and clean energy industries to expand capacity for relevant courses, develop a hands-on curriculum, and expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that provide students with the skills required for these well-paying jobs. McAuliffe said he also wants to prioritize re-training for the 24,000 Virginians who currently work in predominantly rural fossil fuel industries so they can access the clean energy jobs of the future.
“Climate change is one of the greatest threats to the future of our Commonwealth and our communities, yet Republicans continue to deny its impact, putting Virginians’ lives and futures at risk. Securing our clean energy future is critical to securing our future, and I promise you that Virginia will lead the nation in tackling climate change and transitioning to clean energy,” McAuliffe said Thursday. “We’re going to get Virginia to 100% clean energy by 2035 by partnering with President Biden and investing critical federal dollars, secure our vital coastal communities like Hampton Roads, tackle inequities and environmental racism, and build a brighter future for all Virginians.”
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