Sen. Surovell Receives Fourth Environmental Award of 2016

From the Office of Sen. Scott Surovell:

Senator Scott A. Surovell (D-36) was honored with a 100 percent/A+ from the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club for his dedication to protecting Virginia’s environment. This is now Sen. Surovell’s fourth recognition for his environmental legislation and advocacy this past legislative session.

Senator Surovell received The Potomac Riverkeepers Network: Protector of the Potomac Award.

“United States Congressman Gerry Connolly and Virginia State Senator Scott Surovell will share our 2016 award for the exceptional role they have played in safeguarding their constituents and our water ways from the devastating impacts of coal ash waste” said Jeff Kelble, president, Potomac River Keepers Network.

The senator also received the Virginia League of Conservation Voters: 2016 Environmental Leader Award.

Virginia LCV recognizes Senator Scott Surovell for introducing Senate Bill 537, which would have mandated safe closure of all of our state’s coal ash ponds by requiring this toxic waste to be excavated and transferred to dry, lined and permitted landfills and then requiring remediation of these sites. By doing so, this bill would have eliminated the very real risk to our water resources posed by capping this waste in place in outdated, unlined ponds. This bill was one vote short of making it to the full Senate. We thank Senator Surovell for his leadership and we fully intend to work with him to make this bill a reality in 2017.

Senator Surovell also received the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Legislative Hero Award, an award given to all legislators with a 75 percent of better voting record.

This past legislative session, Sen. Scott A. Surovell introduced Senate Bill 537 to require Virginia to remediate coal ash consistent with steps implemented in other Southeastern states. Coal Ash is a by-product of coal combustion that contains many toxic heavy metals such as lead, hexavalent chromium, arsenic and cobalt. There are six legacy coal ash sites in Virginia, including Possum Point on the Potomac River, Chesapeake, Chesterfield and Bremo Bluff on the James River, one site on the Clinch River in Carbo and Glen Lyn on the New River.

In the 36th Senate District, Dominion Virginia Power operates a large power plant in Dumfries that generated electricity using coal from the late 1940’s until 2002. The Possum Point Power Station had five legacy coal ash ponds that are being consolidated into one pond.

Senate Bill 537 would have required “clean closure” of these ponds – in other words, removal of coal ash to be disposed in a modern landfill.

The legislation died on a 7-7-1 vote in a Senate Committee, but Senator Surovell has vowed to continue the fight and the ultimate disposition of coal ash at Possum Point is far from over.

Senator Surovell stated, “Among the many things I have accomplished this past legislative session, one of my proudest accomplishments was fighting to protect Virginia’s environment. While it is not always the most popular stance, it is the right one. I will continue to advocate for Virginia’s environment and fight for laws that help to preserve its beauty, our water and local habitats.”

Photo courtesy of the Office of Sen. Scott Surovell