TOXIC RELEASES UP IN VIRGINIA IN 2006
March 27, 2008 - Richmond Times-Dispatch
Factories, power plants and other sources in Virginia reported an 18.6 percent increase in toxic-chemical releases in 2006, a state report says. Reported releases to waterways nearly doubled. The industries released 66.3 million pounds of toxic materials, up from 55.9 million pounds in 2005. The substances, such as sulfuric acid, chlorine and mercury, are considered so potent that, in sufficient concentrations, they could kill or cause cancer, reproductive problems or other disorders in people, fish or wildlife. - BY REX SPRINGSTON

GROUP ENDS SUIT TO BLOCK PLANNED METRO LINE TO DULLES
March 27, 2008 - Washington Post
The group seeking competitive bidding for construction of the planned Metro extension to Dulles International Airport has withdrawn a federal lawsuit seeking to block the project. TysonsTunnel.org, a coalition of McLean area businesses and residents, said yesterday that the urgency of court action has been lessened by the Federal Transit Administration's announcement in January that it could not fund the $5 billion, 23-mile extension unless the contractor and state officials make fundamental changes. – BY BILL TURQUE

Own Stock in Dominion?  Send Sierra Club your Proxy for the May 9 Shareholders Meeting
Dominion keeps moving their annual shareholder meetings further away from their HQ here in VA. Last year the Sierra Club followed the Dominion to its shareholder meeting in Boston. This year, on May 9, Sierra club will followed them Chicago to voice opposition to dirty energy and the Wise County power plant. 
Take Action
If you own shares of Dominion and oppose the coal plant, please get your proxy and share it with the Wise County Coalition fighting the power plant. 
For More Information: Visit www.wiseenergyva.org  
Designate your proxy: Contact Kayti.wingfield@sierraclub.org

Sierra Club launches Power2Change Campaign
2008 is a critical year for Virginians and for all Americans. Will we continue to rely on dirty fossil fuels or will we begin to make the transition to clean renewable energy and more efficient use of electricity to address global warming.  Between now and Earth Day the Sierra Club’s Power2Change campaign will be gathering petitions urging all candidates for public office whether at the local, state or federal level to commit to a clean energy future.
For More Information: Visit www.sierraclub.org/power2change/   

Help Defeat Dominion’s Proposed Wise County Power Plant 
In response to over 1500 requests from citizens, Virginia's Citizen Air Pollution Control Board agreed last week that it-rather than the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)-will make the final decision on whether to grant Dominion the air pollution permit the company would need to build the plant.  This is extremely important, because the Board, unlike the DEQ, makes all its decisions in public and it has made clear that it will hold the permit to a high standard.
TAKE ACTION
Dominion will continue pushing for approval from the Board and we need to continue building opposition to this disastrous project.  Here are some of the most important things you can do to help:

• Citizens of Southwest Virginia will be delivering our Mile-Long Petition against the plant to Dominion's headquarters in Richmond at 1:00 on May 8-the day before Dominion's shareholders' meeting.  There will be a major rally, so please mark your calendar and plan to attend!
• We need your help to meet our 50,000 signature goal for the petition!  We are more than half-way there, but we need your help for this final push.  Go to The SIGN UP PAGE to order a petition packet now!
• Keep an eye out for future action alerts!  Governor Kaine will soon be appointing two additional members to the Air Pollution Control Board and we need to be sure that he appoints responsible members who will fairly review Dominion's permit, rather than insiders with ties to Dominion. 

More Information: http://www.cleanenergyva.org/

Chesapeake Climate Action Network - Second Annual Spring Climate Rally
When: Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 PM
Where: The George Washington University Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st Street NW, Washington DC
For More Information: www.chesapeakeclimate.org/pages/page.cfm?page_id=262 

The Virginia Association of Nonprofits Hosts Town Halls 
Dates and Locations: 4/7 - Blacksburg | 4/8 - Danville | 4/9  Richmond | 4/23 - Virginia Beach |5/6 - Charlottesville
In 2006 the Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations (VANNO) hosted similar Town Hall meetings to assess the needs of the nation's so-called "third sector."  That grassroots effort identified three major priorities for the sector: service delivery effectiveness, advocacy and grassroots activity, and public awareness and support.  The 2008 Town Hall meetings will follow up on the 2006 meetings and identify ongoing additional concerns and needs.  Town Hall feedback will be used by VANNO to address the needs of Virginia's nonprofit sector and by NCNA during the National Congress in Washington, DC, Jun 1-4, 2008.  Town Hall participants can register to attend the National Congress at a discount. 
For More Information: contact Deborah Barfield Williamson, VANNO Executive Director at (804) 565-9871 or info@vanno.org

Virginia Municipal League hosts Green Government Regional Forums
Dates and Locations: 4/15 in Virginia Beach | 4/17 in Fairfax County | 4/22 in Abingdon | 4/29 in Lynchburg
These four regional gatherings - designed for local elected officials and professional staff alike and open to the public - will provide practical help for local governments to begin or to advance their energy saving and sustainability efforts. The forums will discuss many of the policies and actions described in the Green Government Challenge that can lead to becoming a VML-certified "Green Government."
For More Information: http://www.gogreenva.org/?/regional_forums

Audubon Society of Northern Virginia presents Birdathon 2008 – From Dawn to Dusk
Team up with friends and family, get into the woods, count bird species during the height of spring migration, and raise funds for the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV).  Anyone, from amateur to expert, is encouraged to participate.
Five Simple Steps:
1. Form a BIRDATHON team and pick a date between April 25 and May 11, 2008.
2. Notify the ASNV office of your BIRDATHON teammates and date.  ASNV will send a BIRDATHON packet so that you may start asking friends and associates to pledge money for each species identified on your count.
3. Conduct your BIRDATHON in your favorite green spaces in Northern Virginia.  Compete with other teams for most species found and most money raised for ASNV. 
4. Collect pledge donations and turn in the money to ASNV.
5. Thank those who contributed to your BIRDATHON, using our template or your own acknowledgements.
For More Information: Call 703-256-6895 or e-mail info@audubonva.org

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Seeks Clean the Bay Day Partners
Date: June 7, 2008
As a cleanup site host, your organization will be asked to register and oversee volunteers during the cleanup, ensure that the litter collected is disposed of properly, and report the results of the cleanup to CBF.  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will provide promotional materials, recruiting and planning support, and recognition materials. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage your membership/visitors and to become part of one of the largest, one-day, environmental improvement events in Virginia.  This is a unique opportunity to introduce citizens to the Bay and its many treasures.
For More Information on Clean the Bay Day, or how you can host a site, please visit cbf.org/clean or contact Amy Lutz-Sexton by phone at 757-622-1964 or via email at ALutz-Sexton@cbf.org.

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