I’ve spent my adult life working in business to develop the alternative energy and infrastructure sectors. In fact, I first came to Virginia in the early '90s while working for a Fortune 10 energy company with the assignment to develop and expand the alternative energy industry and particularly natural gas in the Appalachian region. I’m proud to say I played an integral role in accomplishing that goal.

After working to expand the natural gas sector in Southwest Virginia, I decided to start my own business. And, like many small businesses throughout the Commonwealth, I had to take significant personal risk and truly build my business from the ground up. I quit my job, mortgaged my house, cashed in my 401K and started EMATS, Inc., an energy and infrastructure services company. Today, that business has gone from a humble beginning above my garage to employing hundreds of people all over the Commonwealth in good high paying jobs.

The philosophy that has served me so well in business is one that speaks to how I would govern as Lieutenant Governor. That philosophy says that the best investments we can make as a company are those that provide for the well-being and livelihood of our employees and those that we make in our surrounding community.

At EMATS, I have built my business by investing in Virginia’s workforce and we have seen success because of it. By investing in job training and safety programs we have been able to enrich the economic potential of our entire region, and in doing so, we created opportunities for Virginians to access higher paying jobs. My employees earn wages well in excess of the median income in our area-- and every employee, regardless of their position or title, enjoys access to a rich Fortune 10 level benefit package.

Our success has also allowed us to give back to our community. One of the proudest accomplishments of my career has been the work and efforts my business has made to contribute to our schools and children in Southwest Virginia. Over the past decade years, we’ve given over $2.5 million to Virginia public schools for books, technology, science labs, athletic facilities and enrichment programs.

During these difficult economic times, it’s clear that we need leaders in Richmond who have a strong vision for the direction of our Commonwealth and who have the experience and proven record to get the job done. We need leaders who:

• Will cultivate and develop a new energy economy by investing and attracting businesses and industries focused on providing solar, wind, biomass, biofuel and other alternative energy sources.
• Will work with the stakeholders to implement a comprehensive plan that will move Virginia towards a modern, sustainable infrastructure system.
• Understand the importance of investing in the future. By making innovation a priority we can direct attention and resources to our universities, colleges, and research and technology parks.
• Will stand up for our workers and invest in the long-term sustainability of our workforce by supporting workforce training, health care and education programs and initiatives.

As Virginia’s next Lieutenant Governor, I’m going to use my three decades of experience working on these issues in private business and in my community to create and strengthen jobs all over the Commonwealth.

A Time for Leadership

Today, in Virginia and across the country we are facing the toughest economic times in decades. Good hard working people are losing their jobs, losing their homes, and losing their retirement money. In Virginia, nearly 300,000 people are unemployed. Amidst this hardship, we need a Lieutenant Governor who is willing and able to devote themselves full-time to growing our economy and creating new jobs.

How I will Change the Office to a Hands-On, Full-Time Role

Our current Lieutenant Governor has said that he decided to run for re-election because now wasn’t a good time for him personally, given the demands of his private business, to run for a full-time office. Well, I think Virginians deserve better than that. We don’t need politicians who just want to do the bare minimum of their job description.

We need leaders who understand the depth of the challenges we face and who have a vision for the direction Virginia should take going forward. We need leaders who are willing to give themselves fully to this endeavor and who have the experience and background to get the job done right.

I will be that full-time, dedicated Lieutenant Governor.

I view the limited constitutional responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office as an opportunity and advantage for someone with my background and experience. Because of the skill sets I have developed over the years as a job creator, I have the ability to really effect positive, meaningful change in Virginia in terms of impacting our economy. Although the Virginia Constitution dictates that the Lieutenant Governor spend two months of the year presiding over the Senate, that leaves the rest of the year for me to travel all over the Commonwealth, and hopefully all over the country, to meet with and talk to business leaders and workers. And, I will use all of my energy to promote an environment that allows businesses and jobs to start-up, grow, move here and thrive. I will be their advocate 365 days a year.

Encouraging Alternative Energy Industries and Development

In order for Virginia to recover from this economic downturn, we need to transform our economy utilizing our advantageous geographic and business environment, our dedicated workforce and the wonderful quality of life we have to offer to attract and grow the businesses of the future.

You don’t have to be an economist to know that one of the fastest growing, highest value industries today is the alternative energy or “green energy” industry. In fact, it’s estimated that although 750,000 Americans already have green jobs, in the next 30 years that number will increase by 4.2 million. Virginia can and should be a leader in tapping into this economic potential, but we need people who understand the industry and who know how to utilize and develop our assets to make that transformation happen.

As Lieutenant Governor, I will use my expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors to make Virginia a net energy exporter, and a leader in the new green economy by encouraging energy efficiency and developing alternative and green energy sectors like wind, solar, biomass and biofuel. The growth of these industries will move Virginia’s economy toward the future creating thousands of jobs in the process.

Wind power is one of the fastest growing forms of new power generation in the United States. In Virginia, there is tremendous opportunity for growth in this sector, especially in areas off the coast of Virginia.

• The Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) has projected that an offshore wind farm the size of Virginia Beach could generate an estimated 21,000 gigawatts [21 million megawatts] of energy, an amount equal to 12 percent of the Commonwealth’s residential energy consumption.
• Studies have shown that a 1,000 megawatt wind-energy project in Virginia would generate roughly 3,000 short term construction jobs and 400 long term jobs.

• Experts have predicted that the market for photovoltaics will grow by more than 30% each year for the next 15 years.
• The Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research reports that Virginia has the natural and technical resources to produce 11,000 megawatts of solar energy using horizontal, roof-integrated panels and 13,000 megawatts us¬ing tilted arrays on existing roofs.
• The Virginia Department of Mines and Minerals estimates that the solar power industry could create 640 new jobs and $550 million in investment in Virginia by 2015.

Geothermal energy is energy derived from heat from the Earth’s interior. It is a clean, renewable resource that is efficient and environmentally clean.

In Virginia, geothermal energy has the potential to be a significant resource in growing our clean energy economy. By implementing and deploying geothermal heating and cooling systems in businesses, homes, state and local public buildings we can increase our energy efficiency while creating jobs. People directly

Moreover, there are at least two public schools in Virginia that are already leading the way by converting their buildings for geothermal energy use. These schools are Taylor Elementary School in Arlington County and Fuqua School in Farmville and they are prime examples of the type of forward thinking that we should be encouragingacross the Commonwealth.

Biomass is a renewable energy source that in conjunction with other alternative energy sources is going to play a necessary role as Virginia and the nation move toward lowering our carbon emissions.

Virginia has the geographical and industry foundations to be a leader in developing the biomass and biofuel sectors. One notable area where this growth can occur is from within our agricultural industry—Virginia’s largest industry. Whether its digester gas produced from livestock waste in accordance with environmental standards or switchgrass grown in the fields we can harness these renewable sources that haven’t traditionally been used to produce energy.

Under the leadership of Governors Warner and Kaine, there have been several biomass projects that have taken root and are currently underway in critical economic areas throughout Virginia. For example, the Martin Farm Swine Lagoon Pilot Project is a program developed and funded in partnership between the Southeastern Regional Biomass Energy Partnership, the Virginia Dept. of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) and Virginia Tech. This innovative biogas pilot project in rural Southern Virginia harvests methane gas from a hog farm to produce electricity. In fact, the methane gas harvested from the project provides enough energy to cover 80% of the Martin Farm’s electricity needs.This project and others like it are excellent models for future potential programs as well as a foundation for growth in these industries with high growth potential. As Lieutenant Governor, I will advocate and work to further develop projects that meet these same standards.

The skyrocketing cost of gasoline last summer was a stark reminder of the economic and national security importance of becoming energy-independent. The development and use of biofuels are the best alternative available to us in the short-term to lessen that dependence and to grow our economy. As with any new industry though, it takes proactive, forward-thinking initiatives to change the status quo and to implement the use of this new energy source into our everyday energy consumption.

Biodiesel is one such source that can be integrated into everyday use now and immediately start producing for our economy. Biodiesel is produced from natural oils such as canola oil, soy beans, or other naturally found lipids, but can be manufactured using existing industrial production capacity, and used with conventional equipment. Biodiesel performs similarly to petroleum diesel and measures cleaner by environmental and health standards.

Building Market Opportunity for Private Ventures to Succeed

Promoting Partnerships that Build Industry

As I’ve traveled across Virginia, I’ve stressed that one of the keys to creating jobs and growing our economy is by building and fostering partnerships between state government, our business community and unions, higher education and research programs. In building and promoting these partnerships we are not only encouraging innovation to spur our trade and manufacturing jobs but we are also developing our youth and unskilled workforce so that they can achieve their potential.

One of the best currently operating examples of this kind of partnership is already leading the way in moving Virginia in the right direction toward a green economy by developing the biofuel industry through advanced and comprehensive research and development.

This example is of course the research being conducted at Old Dominion University (ODU) in partnership with the Virginia Coastal Energy Consortium and private Virginia businesses to convert algae into biodiesel fuel. This research is especially promising as it will produce an environmentally friendly biofuel that can compete in the market with fossil fuels, while producing cleaner wastewater. [News @ Old Dominion; 9.10.2008]

Other notable projects include those seeking to produce biofuel using switchgrass, which can be found in abundance in certain parts of Virginia. Switchgrass is an ideal alternative fuel source, because unlike corn and soybeans, it is planted only once but harvested continually. And, unlike corn, use of switchgrass as a fuel source does not affect the cost of food. Also, switchgrass burns cleaner and at a lower cost than fossil fuels while simultaneously helping our environment by reducing nitrogen runoff into the Chesapeake Bay. Switchgrass is an appealing alternative that when used in collaboration with Virginia’s farmers will be a successful growth area. [Virginia Business, July 2007]

We know that Virginia has some of the most innovative minds in the country, as well as some of the most technologically advanced facilities and programs. When state government leads the way by encouraging these forces to combine there’s no limit to the economic potential we can create for everyone in Virginia.

Virginia’s private industry has already started to lead the way in the development of biodiesel. Notably, the first closed-loop biofuels business in the country, Red Birch Energy started in Southside Virginia. This business houses biodiesel production facilities and also sells biodiesel at adjoining Country Market Biodiesel Truck Stops. State government needs to reach out and work with businesses such as Red Birch and others who are interested to develop and promote a market for these products.

“The combustion of natural gas emits almost 30 percent less carbon dioxide than oil, and just under 45 percent less carbon dioxide than coal.” [www.naturalgas.org]

Natural Gas production in Virginia has experienced an upward trend since 1980, and has increased 125 percent from 1995 to 2007. This increase is a direct result of the growth of coal bed methane production, which reached a record level in 2007.[Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy; natural gas, 2009]

I’ve spent my adult life working to expand and develop the natural gas industry in this country, and most specifically in the Southwestern part of Virginia. No one understands and knows better than I the potential we have in Southwestern Virginia to utilize and develop this sector. Natural gas is the likely and obvious bridge fuel to move us from a heavier carbon footprint to a much lighter one and it is a resource that Virginia should lean on as we make the transition away from our reliance on fossil fuels.

One of the major reasons why the natural gas sector was able to succeed and grow, producing significant economic development for Southwestern Virginia and throughout Appalachia is because of tax incentives that were provided to the industry by Congress in the late 1970s. These are the same kind of tax incentives that are now gradually being made available to other alternative and renewable energy sectors at both the federal and state level, and it is incumbent upon our businesses with the assistance of government to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by these programs. I believe that my experience developing the natural gas sector, where I played an integral role in writing the business plan that created a now multi-billion industry in Southwest Virginia, will allow me to translate the success and techniques we’ve provided there to other alternative and renewable energy industries throughout Virginia.

Virginia's coal industry has an economic impact on 17,000 jobs—around 39.1% of all employment in coal-producing counties. Its total economic impact is $1.5 billion.[Appalachian Regional Commission; http: //www.arc.gov/images/coal/coal2section1.pdf]

I believe it’s essential that we in Virginia lead the way in terms of advancing, developing and implementing technology that will reduce the negative environmental impact of coal energy.

There is no reason why Virginia shouldn’t be the hallmark for how we produce and use cleaner coal in this country. We can and we should be.

We have some of the brightest minds and best facilities in the country—and as Lieutenant Governor I’m going to encourage and incentivize those minds to help us meet the challenge of making Virginia the flagship for how coal is utilized in the cleanest, most effective and cost-efficient way in the nation.

One of the most cost-efficient and proactive ways that we can encourage Virginians, businesses and utilities to move us toward a green energy future is by investing and promoting energy efficiency measures.

Some of the policies that I think will hold the most promise in this area are those that promote the development of a smart grid and deploy smart meters throughout Virginia, encourage retrofitting of older buildings—both public and private, and those that provide funding and access to weatherization programs. Additionally, at the root of these efforts there has to be a continued example of leadership from state government to provide a model for citizens and those in the business community to follow when it comes to energy efficiency.

It is absolutely essential that we develop and implement a long-term vision for our state’s infrastructure system.

We need leaders in Richmond who will change the dialogue on transportation, rise above partisan gamesmanship, and actually solve the infrastructure challenges facing us. We need a Lieutenant Governor who understands that our current transportation and infrastructure woes are a major detriment to our economic potential. If we continue to let more time go by without a solution—specifically to our traffic congestion woes in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads-- not only will Virginia be unable to attract new economic growth, but we will begin to see businesses actually leaving our Commonwealth as a result.

As someone who’s worked on providing infrastructure services throughout Virginia, and as someone who has been on both sides of hundreds of infrastructure contracts, I plan to bring my experience in this industry to Virginia’s best advantage. Virginia’s transportation crisis is at a critical impasse—we need solutions that will immediately alleviate some of the traffic congestion while at the same time providing long-term, comprehensive plans to move several areas of our state to a model of transportation more reliant on public and mass transit. We need to do this efficiently, wisely and soon.

The federal stimulus package recently passed is going to be a great source of funding for Virginia as we move to tackle our infrastructure challenges. We need leaders who know how to best use this funding and who have the vision to bring others together around a sustainable, long-term modern infrastructure plan. Acting upon our transportation woes is not only essential to Virginians’ quality of life but also critical to our economic future.

When we develop policies that seek to create jobs and grow our economy its essential that we not only address our short-term needs but also ensure that the industries we are fostering have the capability to evolve and grow in the long-term.

Fostering innovation and research is an essential component to building a long-term vision that will enable our industries to remain at the cutting edge.

Virginia has some of the best universities and research facilities in the nation that attract world-class scientists and experts while also preparing our youth and the next generation of innovators. As Lieutenant Governor I would promote and advocate for policies that invest in and harness the extraordinary talents and potential provided by our academia, researchers, scientists and engineers, etc.

• There are more than 200 private sector research and development facilities located in Virginia, including 29 federal research and development functions. These facilities include 15 Department of Defense research centers, the Homeland Security Institute, NASA Langley Research Center, and the Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.
• Virginia is home to seven university research parks which provide private companies opportunities for co-location and cooperative relationships.
• Four nationally-recognized private, non-profit research institutes have established impressive research facilities in Virginia in recent years: SRI’s Center for Advanced Drug Research in the Shenandoah Valley, The National Institute of Aerospace in Hampton; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Loudoun County; and Carilion Biomedical Institute in Roanoke.

As Lieutenant Governor, I will fight for a comprehensive and modern infrastructure plan for Virginia. Any comprehensive plan must include elements that will improve our transportation system by:

• Investing in our public transportation systems by expanding Metro access throughout high density areas in Northern Virginia and by providing express bus services in metropolitan areas throughout the Commonwealth,
• Developing a strategic long-term approach to meeting transportation and specifically traffic challenges in areas where growth continues,
• Expanding our rail systems and services so that every major Virginia city is interconnected, accessible and affordable for our citizens; and
• Repairing our existing roads and bridges so that Virginians can feel safe while travelling in the Commonwealth.

As Lieutenant Governor I’m going to do everything in my power to consistently fight for policies and practices consistent with the needs of our working men and women.

We need to strengthen and build our middle class, protect rights and safety in the workplace, and allow Virginians who work hard and play by the rules to build a better life and future for their families. This includes:

• Expanding workforce training programs,
• Increasing access to health care coverage,
• Making college, community colleges and apprenticeship programs more affordable, and
• Leveling the playing field to allow everyone an opportunity to reach the American Dream

In my business I have made these goals a priority. My employees earn wages well in excess of the median income in our area and they enjoy access to a rich Fortune 10 level benefit package. As part of that package they receive the same benefit level that I receive as CEO.

At a time when most companies are trying to cut benefits we are doing the opposite. I believe that it’s tough times like this when workers need their employers to help them out. That’s why this year at EMATS we increased our health care employer contribution to 78%.

Workforce Training

I built my business by investing in Virginia’s workforce through job training and safety programs and I have seen success because of it. By making those initial investments in Virginians providing them with the tools to increase their professional skill set, we have been able to enrich the economic potential of our entire region and in doing so we created opportunities for Virginians to access higher paying jobs.

This is success that can be translated all over the Commonwealth. If we can prepare and train our workforce for the jobs of the future—we can and will grow our economy and raise everyone’s standard of living. But, to do that we need leadership that works with the business community, and our colleges, universities and community colleges to make that kind of job training and education possible. As Lt. Governor, I will bring that leadership.

Taking Advantage of What’s Available

In February, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) otherwise known as the federal stimulus package. Under this new law Virginia will receive approximately $4.8 billion in direct appropriations. Moreover, these funds are separate and distinct from a large portion of additional funding that will be made available to states, cities and localities in the form of competitive grants.

The federal stimulus package has the capability to allow us to make sorely needed investments in transforming our economy for the future, but we need leadership in Richmond that understands this potential and that has the political want and experience to put these funds to good use. It’s been predicted that the stimulus money could create or save 93,000 jobs over the next two years. These are jobs that can be created and built from historic levels of funding directed towards infrastructure and renewable and alternative energy sources, energy efficiency, and energy research and development, and they are jobs that can be developed and cultivated in a way that makes them economically sustainable for decades to come.

As Lieutenant Governor, I plan to use my background in business to help direct the most appropriate, economically viable and efficient uses of this vital federal funding. I would also advocate for Virginia to do what some other states have done by establishing a board or an official auditor of federal stimulus funds to ensure that this large influx of money is being used most efficiently and most effectively throughout the Commonwealth.

Leading By Example

Governor Kaine has set an excellent precedent for private businesses and citizens by using state government as the example of how we can increase our energy efficiency and invest in the green economy. State government needs to continue to be a leader in these endeavors.

As Lt. Governor, I will support efforts to implement policies that will require use of alternative and renewable energy sources and increase energy efficiency in state buildings, vehicles and equipment. I will also support and advocate for the expansion and development of alternative energy research and projects in state facilities and on state property.

Forging Partnerships

We need to build upon the efforts of the Kaine and Warner Administrations and as Lieutenant Governor I would play a direct role in building and strengthening partnerships between state agencies, university research centers, businesses, unions, community colleges and federal laboratories to advance a proactive agenda to move Virginia forward. There are already a number of these successful partnerships around the Commonwealth whose agendas are important endeavors that as Lt. Governor I would engage, promote and facilitate the further development of. Groups like:

• The Interagency Task Force for Energy Project Recruitment, a group organized to work with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to build Virginia’s compelling case for renewable energy-related businesses.
• The Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative (VWEC), which provides a forum for collaboration among stakeholders and organizations interested in promoting wind energy use in Virginia.
• Virginia’s University-Based Economic Development (UBED) group provides a point of contact for every public institution to provide businesses with access to public college and university resources. UBED's involvement in Virginia’s economic development efforts ensures a direct collaboration between the university, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government.
• The Virginia Community College System through its 23 colleges, provides occupational and technical training programs, many of which have been designed specifically to meet the needs of nearby industries. As a member of the Southwestern Virginia Community College Board of Construction, I have seen these efforts first hand and I have worked to improve the partnership between community colleges and industry to offer programs and classes that prepare workers for a changing economy.

Empowering Localities

As someone who has served as a local elected official, I know that not all good ideas come from Richmond. We have counties and cities that have resources and ideas for programs and initiatives that could generate job growth, help support clean energy and clean technology industries, and improve Virginians’ quality of life, but they lack the authority or ability to take the initiative to move things forward.

I believe we need to empower our localities with the authority to initiate energy efficiency programs, infrastructure and public transportation programs, and alternative energy incentives that best fit the needs of their areas. Governor Kaine recently signed legislation that is a step in the right direction, legislation which would give localities the authority to create clean energy financing programs. But, we can do more. As Lieutenant Governor, I will reach out to local and county governments and work with them to meet their needs are ensure that state government is serving as a collaborator and not a bureaucratic road block to meaningful agendas with tangible solutions. As part of this objective, I will also work to modify the Dillon rule to ensure that while we are creating an environment that encourages business growth we are also not shutting out local and county governments who can substantively contribute to moving Virginia forward.