Climate Change

Senator Favola believes climate change is the foremost pressing challenge before us. She supports policies that will reduce the carbon emissions created in the state and hasten the economy’s conversion to sustainable, carbon-free energy. Senator Favola was a chief co-patron on the 2021 bill directing Virginia’s State Air Pollution Control Board to adopt California’s vehicle emission standards by 2024, making Virginia the first Southern state to adopt these ambitious standards. The legislation will reduce vehicular carbon emissions in Virginia and increase the availability of electric cars in the state. Senator Favola has also passed legislation creating the Commonwealth Clean Energy Plan, a framework that emphasizes strategies to achieve net zero carbon emissions in Virginia by 2045. The plan focuses on climate change mitigation, environmental justice goals, and needed transitions to a green economy. The Virginia Sierra Club has recognized the Senator as an Environmental Leader because of her work on the Commonwealth Clean Energy Plan.