Dear Friends, Virginians, citizens of Fairfax:

Summer is here.  Schools are closed.  The pool is open.
 
There no General Assembly sessions during the summer.  Senators catch up on research projects and plan future legislation.  So while you're at the beach reading Jackie Collins, we are there with the latest from the Virginia Municipal League.  No, they don't have a swimsuit issue.
 
On Wednesday, June 24th, the joint commission on "Energy and the Environment" met in Richmond to kick off its summer work.  I sit on the commission which is composed of 15 legislative and citizen members.
 
The focus of the meeting was SB 1452 which I filed in January and was referred to the commission.  It is the first attempt in Virginia to "de-couple" the power industry from its traditional mission to maximize kilowatt production.  That is crucial in conserving resources and keeping us cool.
 
How do we do it?
 
Senate Bill 1452 escrows a portion of every retail electric bill for "efficiency" improvements.  This separate fund can be used to install "smart meters" on new homes, distribute free CFL's, or weatherize older homes which lack insulation or modern windows.
 
Investments in conservation avoid the high cost of new power plants.  We save consumers from higher bills and our environment from more power lines.  The key is that the fund administrator must be motivated to reduce usage.  In other words, control is taken away from energy producers.  That's what makes this cool issue so hot.
 
It's not easy to do, practically or politically. States have tried "third party" efficiency programs with mixed results.  There are a lot of competing programs (Federal and state) which promote conservation.  It takes time to coordinate these efforts and get the details right.
 
The good news is that our Commission has set up a subcommittee to study SB 1452 and energy conservation.  The bad news is that I'm the Chairman.  So I'll have a lot of summer reading.
 
JCP Notes:  Okay, after I endorsed Senator Deeds before the primary, I told him he'd get at least 30% of the vote in the 34th district.  Turns out I was off by 25 points (for the good).  Thanks to all who voted.  If you want to help in the general election, contact them here.  Creigh and I will march together in the City's July 4th parade.  I may also take him around when I go door-knocking this summer (I'm in Oakton right now).  
 
I am closing out a fundraising quarter on June 30th.  We raised nearly $50,000 at the Young Lawyers event in May, which is great ... but only half what I need to raise this year.  If you would like to make a contribution to my re-election fund, you can do so at www.fairfaxsenator.com.  Thank you again for your help.  I'm doing okay, but every bit helps.
 
Our home office is open all summer in Fairfax.  You can contact us at 703-349-3361 or kathy@fairfaxsenator.com if you need our help.  You can also check www.fairfaxsenator.com for community updates, the schedule of summer concerts, or the latest on the "Ox Road South" blog.  We'd like to hear from you.

Let us know how we can represent you better.

Sincerely,

Chap Petersen