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Welcome! We're the largest local Sierra Club group in Virginia, with more than 4400 members in the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, Arlington County, and parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties. | |||||
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Local Issues |
Local Issues for Mount Vernon Group Member Action
The Mount Vernon Group is actively working on a number of current, local environmental issues. A number of these are described below.
The Group relies heavily on volunteer support as it works on these issues--hopefully improving the quality of life for current residents and future local citizens.
Won't you consider donating a few hours of your time? Volunteering can be big or small--we need you, and whatever time you can give! Join in today.
Alexandria's Mirant Power Plant: Air Pollution and Health Hazards in Northern Virginia
What: The Mirant coal-fired power plant along the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria is one of Northern Virginia’s major polluters and contributors to ozone formation. In 2003, for example, the Mirant plant released 2,129 tons of nitrogen oxide, over 1,000 tons more than the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality allows for coal-fired power plants. The Mount Vernon Group joined with the Alexandria City Council and other area environment groups and civic associations to demand that the Mirant plant either "clean up or shut down." The plant supplies less than 1% of the region's energy supply, though federal officials contend that its operation is necessary to national security.
Why Important? The Washington D.C. area has serious air pollution problems. According to current EPA standards, the region is in "non-attainment" of federal air quality mandates (the region was in "severe non-attainment" before the EPA relaxed its standards). The kind of air pollution generated by the Mirant plant contributes to smog, code-red ozone days, and various health problems, including asthma. What's more, the Mirant plant generates mercury as a byproduct, which contaminates the Potomac River, endangering fish in the Bay watershed and those who eat it (particularly children and pregnant women).
What You Can Do: Alexandria city officials and other area leaders continue to work to close the plant. Contact U.S. Representative Jim Moran, Alexandria City Mayor Bill Euille, and other local officials to let them know you support the "clean up or shut down" mandate. Help the Mount Vernon Group lobby the Virginia General Assembly for relevant legislation, by contacting your Delegate or Senator by phone, email or letter--or better yet, join others traveling to Richmond to testify or meet with officials in person! Fill out the Volunteer Form to join others working on this issue.
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Rail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
What: The new Woodrow Wilson Bridge has been engineered for rail, but the inner lanes of each bridge span still await designation as HOV, Express Bus, or Rail Transit. In Fall 2005, Virginia Governor Mark Warner announced that the state would launch a mobility study to examine options for new Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The Virginia Department of Transportation is beginning phase one of the Governor’s mobility study, which will include consideration of rail.
Why Important?: Rail on the Wilson Bridge would connect the Yellow Line in Virginia (at either the Eisenhower Ave or Huntington Metro Stations) to the Green Line in Maryland at the Branch Ave Metro Station. Adding rail would double the capacity of the bridge: two lanes of rail have at least the same capacity as an entire twelve lane highway. This becomes especially important as the region prepares for Eastern Fairfax County for Department of Defense realignments and for National Harbor traffic, which will send thousands more people across an already overburdened road corridor.
What You Can Do: Contact Virginia Governor Tim Kaine today and ask him to make rail on the Wilson Bridge a top priority for his transportation planning. Volunteer with the Mount Vernon Group to learn more about the campaign to get rail service on the Wilson Bridge, and how to get involved. Visit www.SierraClub.org/metrodc/ for more information about how you can help.
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What: The TCOF campaign explores how agribusiness--and the everyday food choices we make--have environmental impact. The national campaign, which has local "legs" in our area, teaches about "eco-friendly" cuisine and how, as consumers, we can have a positive impact on the planet even through everyday acts like grocery shopping.
Why Important? The average meal travels 2,000 miles from farm to table. All the energy expended in harvesting, processing, packaging, storing, refrigerating, and transporting our food is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions. Buying food that is produced locally not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but has many additional benefits. Shopping at farmers' markets, roadside stands, pick-your-own operations, and joining CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture programs) helps keep dollars in the local economy, allows you to learn more about where your food comes from and how it is produced, keeps small family farms in business, and provides a regular opportunity for a community gathering (in the case of farmers' markets).
What You Can Do: Support farmers' markets, roadside stands, pick-your-own operations, and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture programs). To find a farmer's market near you, visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/States/Virginia.htm. The Foodroutes.org Web site contains information about how to locate a CSA program near you. Join in local True Cost of Food dinner events to talk about these important issues, and enjoy a great, environmentally-friendly meal at a local restaurant. During the summer and fall, participate in the Mount Vernon Group's "Local Food Challenge" and pledge at least 25% of your food budget to local sources.
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Alternative/Renewable Energy for Virginia
What: The Mount Vernon Group is working with other local Sierra Club groups and the Virginia Chapter leadership to push Virginia to adopt legislation and practices that would promote the use of cleaner, alternative energy sources within the Commonwealth. In 2007, the Virginia Chapter created the "Citizens Energy Plan for Virginia," which offers a new vision to help Virginia cut its global warming pollution while creating jobs and building a new energy economy based on conservation, efficiency and clean, renewable energy.
Why Important? Scientific consensus affirms global warming is occurring and that it is primarily caused by the use of such fossil fuels as coal and oil. Assessments from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict that unchecked higher temperatures, rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather phenomena caused by global warming pose some of the most significant threats faced by humanity. With our legacy of ingenuity and commitment, Virginia is capable of meeting this challenge, but action will be needed by government, citizens, and business alike. As the federal government moves toward carbon regulation, those states currently enacting progressive energy policies will realize competitive advantage in the future and be better able to support growth and provide high standards of living to their citizens.
What You Can Do: Reduce your own energy consumption by doing an energy audit of your home; purchasing Energy Star appliances; using compact fluorescent lightbulbs; installing low-flow showerheads and turning down your water heater; and more. Investigate alternative/renewable energy options from your utility company (more information below). Volunteer with the Mount Vernon Group to help us push for relevant legislation, conduct public education campaigns, and more.
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Global Warming: Cool Communities Campaign
What: So far, the federal government has not signed the Kyoto Treaty. However, over 300 mayors across America have taken the lead by signing the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement challenge issued by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels to reduce global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution in their cities to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. These Cool Communities are taking decisive action to reduce heat-trapping emissions, lower energy bills, save taxpayer dollars, and protect our environment.
Why Important? The Mayors’ Agreement has underscored the growing consensus that action is needed now to slow global warming. The Sierra Club is taking grassroots action in the form of the Cool Cities Campaign.
What You Can Do: Mayor Bill Euille of Alexandria has signed the Mayors’ Agreement but the pledge is only the first step. Additional steps are to conduct a global warming emissions inventory, create a solutions plan, and implement and monitor progress. We need help tracking these additional steps by the City as it seeks to reduce its carbon footprint. In Fairfax County, Sierra Club members have been meeting with staff and local officials to make Fairfax a “Cool County,” and Arlington County has announced its AIRE initiative. The campaign needs your participation and assistance to maintain the momentum by building community support from religious, business and civic organizations throughout the County. Contact Bruce Parker, Sierra Club Mount Vernon Global Warming Issues Chair, bruce@chesdata.com for more information.
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