RICHMOND, Va. – Virginians can still make their voices heard about the state Department of Environmental Quality's plan to reduce carbon emissions in Virginia by 2030.
The final public hearing was held on Monday and is followed by a nearly three-week public comment period that concludes on April 9. Following the comment period, the DEQ will release its plans of action that describes what it expects to change in upcoming years.
Kate Addleson, director of the Sierra Club's Virginia Chapter, is urging people to take the time to voice any changes they want to see.
"We would just strongly encourage people across the Commonwealth to take a minute and weigh in, let the Department of Environmental Quality and Gov. Northam's team know," Addleson said.
Opponents of the plan believe it will make Virginia-based businesses less competitive, and that carbon emissions from non-fossil-fuel sources, such as wood, should be considered "carbon neutral" and not regulated.
More than 350 Virginians attended the six hearings across the state, and about 150 voiced their opinions in favor of reducing the amount of carbon emissions, mainly emissions from fossil-fuel-burning power plants.
The Virginia Carbon Reduction Plan is supposed to reduce these power-plant emissions by 30 percent by the year 2030.
Addleson's group and others would like to see more actions by the state, such as ensuring that the plan will work past 2030, and that lower-income communities affected the most by harmful emissions are monitored to ensure that their situations are improving.
Addleson predicts the release after the public comment period will provide much insight into what the future emission numbers will look like.
"We expect to see a final standard release from the Department of Environmental Quality that will basically provide a roadmap for Virginia," she explained, "and help our utility companies – as well as those of us who are residents or have businesses in the state – to know what the future of energy is going to look like in Virginia, and what to expect."
This carbon reduction plan is a similar approach that nine other states have taken to reduce their own carbon emissions as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), commonly known as "Reggie."
If the plan goes through, Virginia will be linked directly to the initiative, which includes New York and Maryland.
get more stories like this via email
Lawmakers in Olympia this session moved to add more protections for consumers against predatory loans.
Washington state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 6025 unanimously in both chambers, closing a loophole companies were using to evade caps on the amount of interest charged on loans.
Sam Leonard, an attorney in Seattle, said tech companies providing financial services such as loans would charter out of state banks, especially in Utah, where lenders can charge unlimited interest rates.
"These fintech lenders a lot of times will charge 150, 200% interest on relatively small dollar loans, $3,000, $5,000 and the like," Leonard explained.
Washington state has a set of protections called the Consumer Loan Act to shield people from predatory loans. Leonard said capping interest rates at the federal level would help people across the country.
However, he emphasized the bill goes a long way to increase protections for Washingtonians.
"Not a lot of states at this time have passed similar legislation," Leonard pointed out. "Washington is out in front of the curve with regard to protecting low-income Washingtonians or other Washingtonians that might enter into these predatory loan products."
Leonard added the issue with predatory loans is they keep people in continuous debt cycles.
"Loan products like these essentially strip low-income individuals' ability to improve their economic situation," Leonard noted.
get more stories like this via email
While there's snow in the immediate forecast, the spring storm season has arrived in Minnesota and state officials said with complaints related to homeowner insurance claims on the rise, it is important to monitor changes in policies.
The Minnesota Commerce Department said complaints from policyholders, largely stemming from their claims being denied, have more than doubled since 2020.
Julia Dreier, deputy commissioner of insurance for the Minnesota Department of Commerce, said under a changing climate, the nation is seeing plenty of extreme weather events resulting in wind and hail damage, and insurance companies are adjusting to what's happening.
"Insurance costs are going to increase," Dreier pointed out. "We do want to make sure that Minnesotans are prepared."
As some carriers narrow what is covered or require higher deductibles, Dreier urged consumers to carefully review their policy when it is up for renewal, to avoid surprises when they have to file a claim. The department acknowledged changes can slip under the radar when consumers rely on paperless statements sent via email, or with busy schedules preventing them from reading all the fine print in documents they receive.
The department emphasized it is a complicated process in getting complaints resolved, noting some can be partially reversed in favor of the homeowner. Dreier noted they work closely with the industry to make sure a company's actions are within the letter of the law.
"One of our jobs is to make sure that insurance companies aren't doing something unethical when they're submitting their policy forms to us and their rates to us for review," Dreier added.
The department does have a new video on its YouTube channel, which offers more details on how to better prepare yourself ahead of any future claims, including knowing whether your policy offers flood protection and assessing the value of items in your home.
get more stories like this via email
Wisconsin has announced a big development in trying to establish more digital equity around the state.
Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission say Wisconsin's blueprint for digital equity has been accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
That means the state is eligible for up to $30 million to implement its approach over the next five years.
Martha Cranley - state director for AARP Wisconsin - called it a robust plan, noting that older populations continue to face challenges in being connected to the digital world.
"We know that at least 15% of people 50-plus in Wisconsin are not connected," said Cranley, "either because the wires simply don't come to their house, or they don't have a device, or they don't know how to use it."
Cranley said the lack of connection is especially concerning in rural areas across northern Wisconsin, where aging communities have limited resources.
Stakeholders also note an infusion of new aid is helpful with the federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program - which provides discounts on monthly internet bills for eligible households - in danger of running out of money.
Cranley said the state's plan came together following extensive public outreach, in which her organization helped convey the need for improved internet access for those 50 and older.
"They certainly heard from older people about how important this is to connect to their doctor," said Cranley, "and to connect to government services, and frankly, find employment."
Overall, Evers says the plan's federal approval means more than 410,000 homes and businesses will be better positioned to be connected to new or improved high-speed internet service.
Disclosure: AARP Wisconsin contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email