Virginia

Program Saves Enough Energy Thus Far to Power 72,000 Homes; Nearly 3.8 million CFLs purchased will save Virginians $150 million in energy costs

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 17 -- Virginians are saving about 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity through Dominion Virginia Power's compact fluorescent light bulb instant discount program. That is enough energy to serve 72,000 typical Virginia homes, based on 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, per home. Click here to learn more: http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/energy-conse....    » read more »

The Ignite Institute will create 415 jobs

November 16, 2009 -- FAIRFAX – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the creation of The Ignite Institute, a nonprofit medical research institute established by Inova Health System and Dr. Dietrich Stephan, a recognized leader in the field of molecular medicine.

The Institute is the first entity built around the application of personalized medicine innovation in the community health setting. The project's $200 million investment in Fairfax County will create 415 jobs.    » read more »

Stress Langley's Capacity & Facilities

November 12, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) and Representatives Glenn Nye (D-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) this week requested a Virginia delegation staff briefing on Air Force plans for future basing of the F-22 Raptor aircraft fleet. In a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Virginia lawmakers emphasized that Langley Air Force Base (LAFB) in Hampton is a “world-class installation” with the excess operational capacity to support increased numbers of the F-22.    » read more »

Authorizes state agencies to prepare for potential effects from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida and a coastal Nor'easter

November 11, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine has this evening declared a State of Emergency for Virginia in response to the combined effects of the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida and a coastal Nor'easter. The declaration immediately directs state agencies to take necessary actions to protect the health and safety of citizens throughout the Commonwealth.    » read more »

Mid-Atlantic Governors agree to formal tri-state partnership to develop renewable energy source

November 11, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland, and Governor Jack Markell of Delaware agreed today on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of offshore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region. The three states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a formal partnership that will build on the region's significant offshore wind resources to generate clean, renewable energy and a sustainable market that will bring new economic opportunities.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia and Governor Jack Markell of Delaware agreed today on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of off shore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region. The three states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a formal partnership that will build on the region’s significant offshore wind resources to generate clean, renewable energy and a sustainable market that will bring new economic opportunities.    » read more »

Energy efficiency, other green technologies to be incubator's focus

HANOVER, Va., Nov. 10 -- The Dominion Resources GreenTech Incubator, a center to assist new businesses focused on energy efficiency and other clean and green technologies, is scheduled to open early next year in Ashland, Va., with financial support from Dominion (NYSE: D), one of the nation's largest producers of energy.

Modeled after other successful technology incubators, the Dominion Resources GreenTech Incubator will provide assistance with research, financial services, business planning and other issues as well as office space for start-up companies. As the companies grow, they are expected to move to nearby locations, boosting the local economy.    » read more »

15,000 entrepreneurs helped by the online business formation process, reflecting 8,587 new businesses formed

November 09, 2009 -- ROANOKE -- Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that Virginia's Business One Stop, an online tool for entrepreneurs, has been utilized by more than 15,000 entrepreneurs to aid their business operations and create jobs. The Business One Stop is an on-going project through the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and began in May 2008 to consolidate business licensing, registration and permitting into one a single user-friendly online system.    » read more »

Nov 8 2009 -- In Congressman Connolly’s Virginia district, the Affordable Health Care for America Act will:

• Improve employer-based coverage for 586,000 11th CD residents.

• Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 87,000 households in the 11th CD.

• Improve Medicare for 73,000 beneficiaries in the 11th CD, including closing the prescription drug donut hole for 3,800 seniors.

• Allow 19,000 small businesses in the 11th CD to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 16,800 small businesses.

• Provide coverage for 46,000 uninsured residents.    » read more »

11/03/2009 -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding three new hazardous waste sites that pose risks to human health and the environment to the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country.

To date, there have been 1,610 sites listed on the NPL. Of these sites, 340 sites have been deleted resulting in 1,270 sites currently on the NPL (including the three new sites added in today’s rulemaking). There are 63 proposed sites awaiting final agency action: 58 in the general Superfund section and five in the federal facilities section. There are a total of 1,333 final and proposed sites.    » read more »

October 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner announced today that the U.S. Department of Treasury will award $29 million in bonds to American Municipal Power, Inc., for financing of a solar energy project in the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. When completed, this solar project could provide up to six-megawatts of daily power for the regional transmission grid.    » read more »

More than 8,000 ARRA Projects Planned, Nearly 5,000 Under Construction

October 14, 2009 -- FAIRFAX, Va. – President Barack Obama joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today at the site of the Fairfax County Parkway Extension in Virginia to announce more than 8,000 highway projects have been funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) since its passage in February.    » read more »

ARRA bonds to fund energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy installations at public schools

October 14, 2009 -- FREDERICKSBURG -- Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the availability of $119 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) bond authorizations for local school divisions to finance energy efficiency improvements and renovations, as well as renewable energy projects for public school buildings.    » read more »

Compromise Would Provide Up to 14 Additional Weeks of Benefits to Workers in All 50 States

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today called on the Senate to pass a comprehensive proposal, which he cosponsored, to extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers in all 50 states. Nearly two million out-of-work Americans face expiring benefits by the end of the year.    » read more »

Consumers can purchase energy-efficient products tax free October 9-12; claim state rebates and federal credits on qualifying products

October 09, 2009 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today encouraged Virginians to take advantage of the state's third annual sales tax holiday on ENERGY STAR and WaterSense-qualified products. During this annual holiday, which will take place October 9-12, consumers can save money by buying certain qualified products tax-exempt, which will also deliver savings for years to come through lower home utility bills.

As with last year's holiday, high-efficiency products with ENERGY STAR or WaterSense certification will be exempt from sales tax.    » read more »