Senator Speaks at CCLA Meeting
Senator Ghazala Hashmi spoke at the CCLA Community Townhall meeting on Sunday, September 13, 2020. She informed an audience of approximately 80 people – 40 on-site and 40 by phone, of the work she is doing to prepare a bill for presentation at the 2021 General Assembly. The bill would be a follow-up to her SB409 which was presented in 2020 and carried over to the 2021 General Assembly session. Currently the bill would include four key areas, two of which are Solid Waste Management and Environmental Justice. Staff members are currently working on researching the four key points and getting information from various organizations, people, and other resources.
She addressed the Environmental Justice bill which was signed by Governor Northam and became law as of July 1, 2020. This law requires all state agencies to look at the impact on water, air, and commmunity before approving projects such as landfills and pipelines. Senator Hashmi is working with her colleagues on a bill that would had “teeth” to the law already in place.
Senator Hashmi discussed the bill presented by her predecessor where adjoining local governments would have input on projects such as the landfill which affects residents of both Cumberland and Powhatan counties. She stated this is a difficult issue since each local government has the right to approve what is best for them.
A question and answer period resulted in several items being asked that she stated she would look into further.
Thank you Senator Hashmi for speaking to our group. You provided us with invaluable information and more important HOPE that we will succeed and there will not be a mega landfill in Cumberland County or in Virginia period.
Article in the Richmond Times Dispatch
Below is a link to an article published in the Richmond Times Dispatch today written by Robert “J.R.” Gurley concerning the proposed mega landfill in Cumberland. Take a few minutes and read it. The opposition to this proposed mega landfill increases each day. Hopefully, Green Ridge, County Waste, GFL etc. are taking notice. https://richmond.com/opinion/columnists/robert-j-r-gurley-column-proposed-cumberland-county-landfill-perpetuates-environmental-racism/article_ad6086be-bec1-5237-ba10-c5685b912e50.html
YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED
Thank you for your continued support. The Townhall meeting yesterday was a great success thanks to everyone who attended either by phone or in-person. Thank you Eager Beavers for scheduling, grilling, and serving the burgers and hot dogs – it was great not to have to go home and cook. Thank you everyone for your support. There is strength in unity and we are united to see that the proposed mega landfill in Cumberland County does not become a reality. THANK YOU!!