People of color are most impacted by climate change and therefore must be at the center of efforts to create a new and environmentally sustainable economy. New Virginia Majority seeks the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies – a concept also called “environmental justice”. We do local and state work as part of a national movement to build a sustainable economy that is not dependent on coal or carbon.

We fight for:

• The Clean Power Plan and Reductions in Carbon Emissions - We are currently working with partner organizations and community members to decide how to best reduce emissions, keep jobs, and give all Virginians clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.
• The Virginia Coastal Protection Act - Establishes the Commonwealth Resilience Fund that would generate funding for some of the much needed jobs, initiatives, and efforts to deal with sea level rise and flooding in Hampton Roads.
• Addressing Coal Ash - In Norfolk, we just began a project to address the health and safety impact of Norfolk Southern leaving coal ash containers uncovered in the predominantly African American community of Lambert’s Point. Norfolk Southern refuses to cover the coal due to costs. Black lives matter, but Norfolk Southern jeopardizes the health of over 500 families who live at Lambert’s Point.