Mark Warner - U.S. Senate

Leading a new energy policy

Governor Warner has been a leading advocate for creation of a national energy policy that connects the dots between job creation, national security, and climate change.

Virginia is ideally situated to be a national leader in the development of alternative energy – wind, solar and biomass – and its coal deposits in Southwest provide an opportunity for the Commonwealth to lead in development of “clean coal” technology.

The Governor had an opportunity to speak to leaders of Wise County yesterday about the necessity of finding new energy resources.

The Bristol Herald-Courier reports:

With the current situation, Warner said it presents opportunities, especially for Southwest Virginia.

“I believe in the next 20 to 25 years, the greatest job creation could come from how we create new energy,” the former Virginia governor said.

Energy sources include wind, solar, biomass and a dose of conservation, Warner said.

“It’s also going to take coal to increase our capacity,” he said.

The nation must find ways to cleanly burn coal, he said.

“Southwest Virginia can be a leader in this,” Warner added.

The federal government spent just $2 billion on energy development two years ago, Warner said.

Southwest Virginia could be on the cutting edge of new technology to develop cleaner coal-burning methods, he said. Capturing carbon dioxide emissions at coal-fired electricity generation plants, then burying the gas in the ground would make coal a cleaner fuel, he said. It would also give the region an economic boost by creating new jobs, he added.

January 2009

Governor Warner sent out an email this afternoon, asking folks to help us prove that we'll be ready to get this country fixed come January 2009. Here is the email he sent out:

Dear Riki,

 

As we approach the end of the first quarter, let's show that we are ready to bring a new approach to fixing our nation’s problems in January 2009.

As we see in the headlines every morning, our nation faces enormous challenges.  From the weak economy, to rising energy prices, to the continued mismanagement of the five year long war in Iraq, we need leaders who are ready to work together to find solutions to our problems.

Please help us meet our goal of 2,009 online donors by March 31st to show that, come January 2009, we'll be ready to meet these challenges. Contribute what you can today.

Come January 2009, we'll get a fresh start -- and an opportunity to get our country fixed.

Come January 2009, we will need leaders in Washington who are ready and able to work with a new president and congressional leaders to make our country competitive again -- by expanding health care, fixing our economy, working to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil, and improving our standing in the world.

Please help us demonstrate that Virginians are ready to bring a new approach to Washington in January 2009.  Will you help us reach our goal of 2,009 online donors before March 31st?  Please contribute what you can today.

Thanks,

Mark R. Warner

P.S.:  Please help us reach our goal of 2,009 online donors before March 31st by making a contribution today!

Mark Warner's NCAA Bracket

A bunch of you have emailed us wondering who Governor Warner picked to win the NCAA College Basketball Tournament. Like many offices, we started our own office pool and will be watching closely over the next couple of weeks.

Governor Warner picked UNC, Memphis, UCLA, and Georgetown going to the Final Four, with UNC going all the way. Here's his bracket --

"We need more of that in our government"

The March 14th edition of the Newport News Daily Press has a profile of Jen Little, a member of the School Board in Mathews County and a local civic leader. The mother, who works 45 to 50 hours a week and volunteers an additional 15 hours a week, was asked:

Q: If you had the opportunity to work with any political figure, past or present, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

A: I would love to work and learn from former Governor Mark Warner. There were some tough cuts made and some reorganization of the state’s services while he was governor. While Governor Warner was able to bring both parties together to make tough decisions that were in the best interest of our Commonwealth. In my opinion we need more of that in our government at all levels: People putting aside party differences to do what is best for those they serve.

Community leaders like Jen – who are committed to giving back to their communities and building coalitions across party lines – are the type of leaders Governor Warner looks forward to working with at all levels of government when he gets to the U.S. Senate.

Drop-by in Hampton

Communications Director Kevin Hall sent another update from the Hometown Day tour through Hampton Roads today. The Governor unexpectedly dropped the Virginia Emergency Management Association meeting today, who were meeting in the same place of his breakfast event. He also visited folks associated with the new Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Terminal on the Norfolk waterfront. Here is Kevin's report:

HAMPTON, Va. -- On the second day of our Hampton Roads "Hometown Days" tour, Governor Warner spoke to 300 supporters of Hampton candidate for mayor Molly Ward who gathered for breakfast at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

The Governor noticed the Virginia Emergency Management Association was holding its annual meeting nearby, and popped-in to greet more than 200 local officials who provide the front-line of defense when disasters strike.

The Governor thanked the local officials for all of their hard word during tough times when he served as Governor -- the occasional floods, tire fires, tornadoes and other disasters that call for immediate response from federal, state and local emergency management officials.

Governer Warner then sat down with Joel Rubin to tape an upcoming weekend edition of WVEC's "On the Record". Joel asked the Governor about his campaign to bring bipartisan, common-sense solutions to the U.S. Senate, his views on withdrawing troops from Iraq, how to gain energy independence and whether there is a solution to the transportation challenges in the Hampton Roads region.

The Governor then spent an hour on the radio with WHRV-FM's Cathy Lewis, taking listener calls on "HearSay." Click here to listen to the interview.

Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim met Governor Warner at Nauticus for a quick visit to 200+ women who had gathered as part of the United Way Women's Intitiative, and the Governor toured the new Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Terminal on the Norfolk waterfront, which Governor Warner helped fund while he was governor, and the officials discussed the impact of tourism and the ports of Hampton Roads.

Warner in Williamsburg

Kevin Hall, our communications director, is traveling with Governor Warner today as he visits Williamsburg and James City County, part of his ongoing Hometown Days tour. Here is the report he sent us last night:

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- More than 175 members and guests of the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club gathered today to welcome Governor Warner.

The Governor reviewed his record of accomplishments as Governor -- bringing common-sense efficiency and reform to state government, creating jobs and opportunity, and leading record investments in public education, public health, and public safety (which you can review yourself HERE by reading "The Virginia Record").

Governor Warner told Kiwanis members about his commitment to solve problems and make life better for all Virginians.

The Governor said he's working to shake-off the old way of thinking and the same old divisive politics that divide and distract us.

Later, the Governor was invited to speak to about 250 students at The College of William & Mary's Mason School of Business.

The Governor told students about how he brought Democrats and Republicans together to restore honesty to Virginia’s budget process, to eliminate government waste, and to make sure every Virginian had the same opportunities he had to realize the American Dream.

Governor Warner pledged to bring the same common-sense, results-oriented leadership to the U.S. Senate.

The Governor ended the day with a rousing speech to more than 300 James City County Democrats.