Congressional candidate and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman Gerry Connolly released his campaign’s environmental agenda this week.


Connolly, former U.S. Rep. Leslie Byrne, Iraq War veteran Doug Denenny and physical therapist Lori Alexander are competing against each other for the Democratic Party nomination to Virginia’s 11th District congressional district.


The winner of a primary contest June 10 will face Republican Keith Fimian in November.
Should he be elected, Connolly would pursue a 10-point environmental plan that includes making a solar energy tax credit available to more people; creating a free home weatherization program; forming land conservation grants that protect drinking water; putting forward a cash reward for the business that creates that first 100-mile-per-gallon car; and installing auxiliary power at Dulles International Airport so that planes do not have to idle as much while sitting on the runway.


"I think there is very broad consensus on environment and I don’t think it is liberal or conservative," Connolly.


Connolly was the first chairman in Fairfax County’s history to develop a comprehensive environmental agenda.


Under his leadership, the local government helped create the "Cool Counties" initiative, which lays out steps for localities to become more environmentally friendly.
Environmental activists have been pleased with Connolly’s efforts at the local government level.


"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Gerry Connolly because he has been a leader in working on environmental issues. It is not often I get to work with an elected official who leads on conservation issues," said Stella Koch, a Virginia conservation advocate for the Audubon Naturalist Society.


Other Democratic candidates in the race have said environmental protection would be a high priority for them.


Byrne was named one of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters 10 legislative heroes in 2003. In 1994, she was the first member of the General Assembly to introduce tree preservation legislation in Virginia, Byrne said.


As a member of congress, Byrne would look at regulating the coal industry, which partly responsible for the elevated levels of mercury in younger female bodies, she said. Byrne also thinks that the federal government should set up a think tank to look at energy and climate change issues.
Denneny serves Fairfax County’s Environmental Quality Advisory Council and helped found the local League of Conservation Voters.


"The environment would be one of my highest priorities. I believe the U.S. Government needs to launch an Apollo-like program for climate change," said Denneny, referencing the federal government’s space program under John F. Kennedy.


Alexander, who has testified on environmental matters before the state government and is an active member of The Sierra Club, has concerns about the area’s air quality and its effect on residents.