View on Loudoun Now: http://loudounnow.com/2018/05/01/letter-chris-tandy-leesburg-2/
Editor: On April 27, the Loudoun County Democratic Committee issued a statement on the tree sit protestors opposing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Mountain Valley Pipeline. I’m extremely proud of LCDC for publishing this.
Why should Loudouners care? First, the pipelines will affect Loudoun and indeed the entire commonwealth. They will increase our energy bills and contribute to climate change. They will impact the Potomac, James and Roanoke watersheds. Just as important is the undeniable fact that our fellow Virginians are being harmed directly by their construction.
The Democrats I know in Loudoun believe in community and our responsibilities to each other. We should not, and cannot, avert our gaze while the Virginians who do not live in population-dense, high-income Northern Virginia are run over by greedy fossil fuel companies, like Dominion and EQT. Democrats have the best candidates and the best ideas for how to fix the problems we all face, but they must also be courageous and speak up.
I have never seen LCDC stronger than it is now, sticking steadfastly to its values. After running the table in the election last year, we’re bringing enormous energy into this year’s election with issues that people care about, such as pipelines and rural conservation. Our committee is tough. Our members have their canvassing shoes ready. We are experienced, we are dedicated and we will continue to get Democrats elected all over Loudoun.
I am calling on the following Loudoun senators and delegates to add their voices to the statements made by the 14 legislators who spoke on April 18 against the MVP and ACP and the 20 who signed a letter to the Department of Environmental Quality on the same topic: Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31), Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-33), Del. David Reid (D-32), Del. Karrie Delaney (D-67), Del. Jennifer Boysko (D-86) and Del. John Bell (D-87) .
Loudoun Republicans Sen. Jill Vogel (R-27), Sen. Dick Black (R-13) and Del. David LaRock (R-33), I would also ask you to join in defending personal property rights in the face of overreaching government working at the behest of large corporations, protection of the public lands beloved by outdoors-people and the small business owners and farmers who will lose their livelihoods while a negligible amount of jobs are created. These projects are heinous for so many reasons for so many groups of Virginians. We must stand together and protect our neighbors to the southwest.
The LCDC stands with Red and demands a thorough stream-by-stream water quality review by the DEQ. As the press release states: “Democrats in Loudoun are conscientious stewards of the environment, advocates of rural conservation and defenders of social justice”. Virginia deserves better than the ACP and MVP.
Chris Tandy, Leesburg
Issues Chair, Loudoun County Democratic Committee