MEDIA ADVISORY: 
TODAY at 6:00 p.m.
Virtually on Zoom

CONTACT: 
Tiffany Potter: tiffany@progressva.org: 434.906.0870

Virginians will hold ‘People’s Hearing on Climate Justice’  today at 6 p.m. to share their stories about how their lives have been impacted by climate change and discuss the necessity of environmental justice in the Commonwealth. Community members will share their stories with legislators and demand action from our lawmakers. 

Members of the press are invited to attend and learn more about how just environmental policies mean a stronger future for all of us. There is important environmental justice work to be done in the upcoming General Assembly session that includes holding utility monopolies accountable for overcharging ratepayers, ensuring that a community has a just transition plan when coal plants close, and strengthening of the Environmental Justice Act passed last year.

What: A virtual People’s Hearing on Climate Justice 

Who: Taysha DeVaughan of Wise County, and of Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, will speak about just transition principles and the impact of power plant closures on communities. 

Ebony Guy, member of the Danville Chapter and state governing board member of Virginia Organizing, will talk about the struggle for many in our communities to pay artificially inflated bills from utility monopolies and the gross overcharges from Dominion Power over the past several years. 

Irene Leech, a professor at Virginia Tech, will discuss the impact of both the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Mountain Valley Pipeline on land she owns.

Adam Malle of Wise County, will speak on the impact of power plant closures. 

Carl Poole of Norfolk will talk about the impact of the coal industry on the health of nearby neighborhoods and the disproportionate impact on Black, Brown, and low-income communities

Kenneth Gilliam, Policy Director at New Virginia Majority, will serve as the emcee of the event.

When: 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021

Where: Online via Zoom

Why:  Everyone deserves to live in a healthy environment, breathe clean air, drink clean water, and access affordable, clean energy. Unfortunately, that is not the reality for many Virginians. By featuring the stories of community members, we will highlight the need to pass meaningful legislation now to protect our environment and our communities. 

This event is hosted by Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, New Virginia Majority, Progress Virginia, Virginia Environmental Justice Collaborative, and Virginia Organizing.