David Toscano – Page 23

Climate Scientist, Dr. Michael Mann, Endorses David Toscano

June 9, 2017 by David Toscano

I first became aware of Dr. Michael Mann’s work on climate change when reading about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third Assessment Report on Climate Change. Mann was a climate scientist and professor at U.Va. from 1999 to 2005, he then left to go to Penn State.

His analysis of climate change was so powerful that the conservative right felt compelled to attempt to discredit him. This conservative attack found form in then-Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s 2011 attempt to subpoena records from U.Va. related to Mann’s research projects while he was at the University. This prompted me and others in the General Assembly to introduce legislation in 2011 to stop the AG’s witch hunt. The legislation ultimately failed, but Mann and the University won in the courts. [Read more…]

Toscano to Tour UVa Rooftop Solar Panel Installations

June 4, 2017 by David Toscano

Virginia House of Delegates Democratic Leader’s Legislation Led to UVa Installations

David J. Toscano (D-57), Democratic Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates, today confirmed that he will tour UVa’s Solar Panel installations, the latest of which was celebrated at an event at UVa during a series of Earth Week observations in April.

Toscano has championed solar energy legislation in the Virginia General Assembly every year since his election in 2005.

“UVa and other higher education institutions are helping move us to a future based on renewable energy,” said Toscano. “The Commonwealth can and will be more actively involved in confronting the challenges of climate change and UVa will be essential to this effort.”

A bill sponsored by Toscano that passed the General Assembly in 2011 led to the initial solar panel installations at UVa’s Ruffner Hall and above the University Bookstore. HB 1686 offered special tariffs to facilitate customer-owned distributed solar generation. UVa used this legislation to further invest in solar panels to produce renewable energy.

Members of the press are invited to join the tour by meeting on June 6th at Clemons Library at 4PM. Parking instructions can be obtained by calling Jane Dittmar @ 434.220.1660.

Campaign Update –
11 Days to the Primary…

June 2, 2017 by David Toscano

Re-elect David Toscano Please remember to vote in the Democratic primary on June 13, 2017. I have an opponent this year, so I need you to come out and vote – or vote absentee if you won’t be able to go to the polls on Primary Day. [Read more…]

House of Delegates Candidate Forum

June 2, 2017 by David Toscano

I hope that many folks who will be voting in the 57th District primary will come to this forum on Monday, June 5th, (7:00-8:30pm) at the Northside Library (705 W. Rio Road, Charlottesville, 22901) in the county. Thanks in advance to the League of Women Voters of the Charlottesville Area for sponsoring.
Click here for directions to Northside Library

Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Exit the Paris Climate Accord
States Will Need to Step Up

June 1, 2017 by David Toscano

David J. Toscano, Delegate from the 57th District (Charlottesville/Albemarle) and the Democratic Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates, today issued the following statement:

If the federal government will not act, states need to take an even stronger leadership role to combat climate change.

The President’s action today is extremely disappointing, but not unexpected. During his campaign, Donald Trump indicated that he would withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, and now he has delivered on that pledge. His action removes this nation from an agreement that has broad-based support in the international community. This will not only have a dramatic impact on our environment and our economy, but will lessen the role of the United States’ leadership in the world. Refusing to confront climate change will not reduce the real threat it poses to our lives and our children’s lives.

“If the federal government will not act, states need to take an even stronger leadership role to combat climate change. Several months ago, I requested an Attorney General’s opinion on how the state could act independently to cut carbon emissions. The opinion clearly states that we have broad authority to do more in our state and to make Virginia a leader in creating a clean energy economy. Today’s decision by the Trump administration only reinforces our commitment to finding ways for Virginia to join with other states to protect our environment and cut the rising carbon emissions that threaten our planet.”