Environment

Ronald Mitchell on Environment

The environment is one of the most important issues that this district and the country will have to face in the 21st century.  It is important that we learn and understand the potential impacts of global climate change and the risks that could directly affect the people of the 8th district, the commonwealth of Virginia and the United States as a whole.  With the passage of the American Recovery and Investment Act, Virginians in the 8th district can benefit from the creation of green jobs that will allow us to invest in alternative forms of renewable energy and decrease our overall pollution.

Ronald Mitchell believes it is extremely important that the 8th district become a leader in energy efficiency.  There is an increasing influx of people and businesses moving into the 8th district and to maintain energy efficiency, each new construction of commercial buildings and homes should receive incentives to build under a “go-green”, energy efficient design.  In addition, tax credits should be given to businesses and homeowners that remodel under an energy efficient federal standard.

There is also a need to sustain and increase our area parks and protected areas.  The 8th district is in a unique location that gives residents access to our nation’s capitol and distance from the Potomac River, a heavily polluted body of water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed parts of the river as an impaired river.  Ronald Mitchell will advocate for funding to better support our natural resources, such as, our rivers, streams, woodlands, parks, plants and animals that are native to the 8th district and Virginia.