SENATE ADVANCES BILL TO REPLACE PROFFERS
February 7, 2008 – Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
A controversial bill that would dramatically revamp the way localities get development to pay for itself won approval from a Senate committee yesterday, clearing the way for a vote from the full Senate. Sen. John Watkins' bill would replace the current proffer system with capped impact fees, something developers want but has local government leaders complaining. - BY CHELYEN DAVIS

SAFETY THE ONLY ISSUE IN URANIUM DEBATE
February 4, 2008 - Roanoke Times Editorial
The commentary from Walter Coles of Pittsylvania County ("Uranium mining: Can it be done safely?" Jan. 6) gives us common ground for the start of discussion. Coles owns much of the land and his family and fellow stockholders stand to benefit the most financially from the mining and milling activity. In 1980, my family stood to gain much from uranium activities as, according to the syntilometer tests, I owned the most radioactive hill in Northern Virginia. Some of the same men who are working with Coles approached me nearly 30 years ago. But my family would not take on the responsibility of potentially contaminating neighbors' wells and the Rapidan River, possibly for generations, for personal benefit. - BY BILL SPEIDEN

THREAT OF POWER SHORTAGES GENERATING NEW URGENCY
February 3, 2008 - Washington Post
Electric power has already become painfully expensive in Washington and its suburbs. Now, local utilities say, it could become something even worse: scarce. With its humming data centers and air-conditioned mansions, the region is using 18 percent more electricity than in 2001. And as demand has gone up, so have prices. Some homeowners have seen their rates jump by half or more..."They have absolutely no interest in anything that will reduce demand," said Christopher Miller, president of the Piedmont Environmental Council, a group opposed to the line. - BY DAVID FAHRENTHOLD, LISA REIN, and KIRSTIN DOWNEY

Public Hearings on proposed Wise County Power Plant
Date: February 19, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
Location: Richmond, VA (Location To Be Announced)
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has granted a few more days for public hearings and comments (until March 15) on the proposed Wise County coal plant.
For Talking Points, Meeting Details, and More: visit www.cleanenergyva.org/

Sign the Bipartisan Redistricting Petition
Add your voice to the growing crowd of Virginias who believe that the time is right to cut down on gridlock, bring people together, and solve problems in Richmond. Every 10 years, the party in power draws district boundaries to help themselves stay in power. It fundamentally undermines our democracy and it needs to stop. This year we have a chance - this year we can pass bipartisan redistricting reform and end partisan gerrymandering in Virginia. But we need your help to do it. Virginia Conservation Network supports a Bipartisan Redistricting Commission that will give voters a voice in the redistricting process, increase competition at the ballot box, and help hold politicians accountable.
Sign the petition for Bipartisan Redistricting Reform today
For More Information: click here.

2008 General Assembly Session - Legislative Positions
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters hosts an list of positions on 2008 legislation.
VCN shares the positions found online at http://capwiz.com/valcvef/issues/bills/

New Report Identifies the Benefits and Barriers to Forest Certification
Forests contribute, perhaps now more than ever, to the Commonwealth by moderating climate, cleaning and storing water, creating jobs and economy, and provided both scenery and solace. Yet our forests are changing in ways that have profound and long term impacts.
DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT

Living Simply: Making Green and Just Choices
When:  Tuesday, February 19, 7 p.m.
Where:  VCU Student Commons Ballroom Virginia Rooms B and C, Richmond, VA
“Living Simply” will consider how citizens in the Richmond area can live and consume in more ecologically and socially conscious ways.  Local experts will discuss how economic choices each of us makes affect our community, economic justice, and the environment.  Following the panel, participants will break into interest groups, networking with others familiar with local farmers markets, urban gardening, energy alternatives, public transit, green building, natural products, organic foods and fair trade opportunities here in Richmond.
Panelists:
Karl Bren--Green Visions Consulting and Earthcraft Virginia
Rev. Jeanne Pupke--Senior Minister, First Unitarian Universalist   Church of Richmond
Noah Scalin--ALR Design and Sprout
Azibo Turner--Vanguard Ranch Limited Natural Gourmet Products
For More Information: contact the Richmond Peace Education Center, 232-1002, or rpec@rpec.org

The Carbon Trading/Green Building Connection
When: March 6, 2008
Where: Fairfax, VA
A one-day conference presented by the Virginia Sustainable Building Network on
For More Information: Visit www.vsbn.org

Renewable Energy Internship Program in Germany
When: Late May 2008 – August 2008
CDS has partnered with the American Council on Renewable Energy and InWEnt to offer a renewable energy internship program in Germany for students with 2 years of college German or the equivalent.
For More Information: Visit www.cdsintl.org/fromusa/tree.htm

VIRGINIA FOREST WATCH - Executive Director
Location: Roanoke or Charlottesville, VA preferred
Deadline: Feb. 15, 2008
The Executive Director will lead the staff consisting of a Public Forest Program Director and a Private Forest Program Director, facilitate the development and execution of our strategic plan, lead fund-raising efforts in conjunction with the Board of Directors, and serve as a spokesperson for Virginia Forest Watch.
Qualifications: 
Candidates for this position will possess a commitment to sustainable forest management practices. Candidates are have experience in fund-raising, management, and highly developed communications skills.  Frequent travel is required.
To Apply:
Send an email with your cover letter, resume, writing sample and references to: vafw@mounet.com   
For More Information: Email Steve Brooks at vafw@mounet.com or call 276-479-2176
To learn more about VAFW visit www.virginiaforestwatch.org

NEW RIVER VALLEY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIP - Coordinator
The New River Valley Planning District Commission is looking for a project coordinator to staff the New River Valley Green Infrastructure Partnership. The Coordinator will lead an evaluation of existing natural resource and built infrastructure information for plan development and prioritization by localities and communities. Additionally, the Coordinator will develop organizational structure and identify funding sources for growth preparedness projects.
For more information: Please contact David Rundgren or Abigail Convery at 540-639-9313 or dave.nrvpdc@nrvdc.org.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation- Grasses for the Masses
Combined with efforts to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution and soil runoff, the Grasses for the Masses program helps improve the Bay’s health by increasing the amount of grasses in the Bay. It’s easy. CBF provides the equipment, instructions and support needed for growing the grasses.
Workshops: Richmond on February 13 and 23 or Alexandria on February 19 and 26
Register for a workshop: please sign-up on-line today.
For more information click here or contact Jess Barton at Jbarton@cbf.org or (804) 780-1392

Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund – Small Watershed and Conservation Innovation Grants Programs
Deadline: February 29, 2008
The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program provides grants of $20,000 to $200,000 each to organizations and local governments working on a local level to protect and improve watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin while building citizen-based resource stewardship. The program also provides small grants for project planning and design.
For More Information: CLICK HERE
To register for the Webcast on 1/23: Visit http://www.nfwf.org/chesapeake
Contact Amanda Bassow, amanda.bassow@nfwf.org , Brian Kittler, brian.kittler@nfwf.org or call (202) 857-0166.

FARM FOUNDATION - FUNDING FOR CONFERENCES TARGETING RURAL ISSUES
DEADLINE: Applications may be submitted at any time
The Farm Foundation provides support to private and public organizations to present multi-state or national conferences and workshops that address economic and policy issues critical to agriculture and people in rural communities. The Foundation seeks project proposals that specifically address one of the following priority areas: Consumer Issues, Environmental Quality and Natural Resources Issues, Globalization, New Technologies, Role of Agricultural Institutions, or Rural Community Viability.
For More Information: Visit www.farmfoundation.org/guidelines.htm