Green New Deal Virginia is a left-of-center to left-wing coalition in Virginia that seeks to enact radical environmentalist legislation based on the Green New Deal in that state. The coalition consists of various left-of-center and left-wing groups who seek to expand the role of government in the state’s economy.

The coalition desires to replace reliable sources of energy with weather-dependent sources of energy such as wind and solar. Its proposed legislation also imposes an immediate ban on all conventional energy projects such as a pipelines and extraction of coal, oil, and natural gas. ¹

In addition to eliminating reliable sources of energy and replacing them with less reliable weather dependent sources of energy, the coalition also supports making union fee payments obligatory by repealing Virginia’s right-to-work law. ²

Background

The Green New Deal Virginia coalition is a left-of-center to left-wing coalition that seeks to implement radical environmentalist legislation based on the Green New Deal on the state level. Its proposal is based on ideas proposed by the radical environmentalist group Sunrise Movement. ³

The coalition was launched in 2018 by Virginia Delegates Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) and Elizabeth Guzman (D-Woodbridge). The coalition was initially founded by the Sunrise Movement, NAACP Virginia state chapter, Sierra Club Virginia chapter, Virginia Organizing, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Food & Water Watch, and a host of what the coalition described as “intersectional” organizations. ⁴

Proposals

Among the stances in the proposed Green New Deal legislation are a ban on conventional-energy-generated electricity and its replacement by weather-dependent electricity sources such as wind and solar by 2035. The legislation also seeks to immediately ban all conventional energy projects such as the building of infrastructure such as pipelines and the extraction of oil, natural gas, and coal. ⁵

The legislation would also require Virginia utilities to invest in community solar projects. It would also force the development of zero-emission vehicles to replace gasoline-powered vehicles. It would also force workers in unionized workplaces to pay union fees to work by repealing the state’s right-to-work law. ⁶

The legislation would also require new projects be diverted to minority communities in the name of “environmental justice.” It would also require the new energy projects to be unionized and subject them to labor regulations that would drive up the cost of the projects such as the prevailing wage and project labor agreements. ⁷

The coalition supported expanding paid leave during the COVID-19 epidemic. It also supported an eviction moratorium and energy shutoff moratorium, as well as police and criminal justice reform. ⁸

Leadership

Karen Campblin and Lee Williams are the co-directors of the coalition. ⁹ Campblin is also the chair of the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee of the Virginia State Conference NAACP. ¹⁰ Williams is also a member of the Sierra Club Virginia chapter. ¹¹

1. [1]“The New Virginia Economy Act.” Green New Deal VA. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://www.greennewdealva.com/the-new-virginia-economy-act.
2. Woolsey, Angela. “Virginia’s Green New Deal, Unveiled.” Fairfax County Times, October 18, 2019. https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/virginia-s-green-new-deal-unveiled/article_f55f24fe-f1e1-11e9-ad88-b30500e2af8f.html.
3. Woolsey, Angela. “Virginia’s Green New Deal, Unveiled.” Fairfax County Times, October 18, 2019. https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/virginia-s-green-new-deal-unveiled/article_f55f24fe-f1e1-11e9-ad88-b30500e2af8f.html.
4.  Virginia Delegates Rasoul, Guzman Launch ‘Green New Deal’ Coalition with Economic, Environmental, Social Justice Groups.” Chesapeake Climate Action Network, December 20, 2018. https://chesapeakeclimate.org/virginia-delegates-rasoul-guzman-launch-green-new-deal-coalition-economic-environmental-social-justice-groups/.
5. [1]“The New Virginia Economy Act.” Green New Deal VA. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://www.greennewdealva.com/the-new-virginia-economy-act.
6. Woolsey, Angela. “Virginia’s Green New Deal, Unveiled.” Fairfax County Times, October 18, 2019. https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/virginia-s-green-new-deal-unveiled/article_f55f24fe-f1e1-11e9-ad88-b30500e2af8f.html.
7. “VA Introduces Green New Deal.” Poor People’s Campaign, January 11, 2020. https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/update/va-introduces-green-new-deal/.
8. Kreydatus, Beth, Golden Carter, Emily Satterwhite, and Kim Williams. “A Growing Coalition for a Green New Deal in Virginia.” Virginia Mercury, September 15, 2020. https://www.virginiamercury.com/2020/09/15/a-growing-coalition-for-a-green-new-deal-in-virginia/
9. VA Introduces Green New Deal.” Poor People’s Campaign, January 11, 2020. https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/update/va-introduces-green-new-deal/.
10. [1]“VA Introduces Green New Deal.” Poor People’s Campaign, January 11, 2020. https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/update/va-introduces-green-new-deal/.
11. [1]“VA Introduces Green New Deal.” Poor People’s Campaign, January 11, 2020. https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/update/va-introduces-green-new-deal/.