By Danny Marshall
Virginia House of Delegates

I am constantly seeking ideas that can help with economic development.

The governor has set forth an energy package and part of it is focused on ways to bring jobs. I am working to help with that effort by introducing HB559. Among other issues, one inhibitor to economic growth is the existence of underserved areas for natural gas availability. This has resulted in lost opportunities for economic development.

To address this, one of the bills that I introduced is the called the “NEED” bill. That is short for Natural Gas Infrastructure Expansion for Economic Development. It provides a new tool for economic development organizations, counties, municipalities and natural gas utilities to more proactively work toward expanding natural gas infrastructure to support economic development, job growth and increased tax revenue in the Commonwealth.

NEED will create greater opportunities for natural gas service to be extended to underserved areas of Virginia. It makes the process easier for areas without natural gas lines to run them to new industry and possibly residential neighborhoods, shopping centers and even existing manufacturers who are trying to reduce costs. This bill has passed the House and moved to the Senate.

Also dealing with energy availability, I have introduced HB564, a bill to give incentive for use of landfill gas, which is mainly methane gas. An example close to home is Danville’s two capped landfills which are emitting methane gas. How can this be turned into a positive resource for our area?

A couple of years ago in the Chesapeake area, there were efforts to find the way to capture and sell landfill gas to local industry. It was successful and generated more than $1 million of income for those localities yearly.

The use of methane gas from landfills can be a win-win-win situation. Buyers get the energy at reduced prices.

The gas is used for positive purpose, rather than just escaping into the atmosphere, and the final “win” is that the locality gets revenue from the methane gas. It can be used to replace natural gas and in some cases to produce electricity. With some localities already doing this, the incentives proposed in my bill could expand those opportunities.

And, last but not least, I will mention my HB569 which is alive, but definitely being challenged by some groups. This bill came from my belief that voting for anyone running for office is serious and should be honest and fair. Part of that honesty is that the person showing up to vote should have a proper ID.

I have worked with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the State Board of Elections to make sure that if my bill passes, anyone who doesn’t already have a Driver’s License or a DMV photo ID can be issued a photo voter ID.

On a daily basis, people have to show identification for many common purposes, so the very important act of voting should be handled in the same way.

As we consider these issue and others, I want to know your views about Virginia legislation.

We have a survey online for those who live in my district. The questions deal with topics that are before us in Richmond. If you live in the 14th District and have not filled out our paper survey, I encourage you to go to my webpage at www.dannymarshall.com and access the on-line survey on the left side of the page under the photo.
If you want to read or keep up with Virginia legislation, you may go on line to: http://legis.virginia.gov/ Please let me know your ideas when you hear of state issues that are of concern.

We are working in Richmond and my legislative aide, Mary Franklin, is staffing our office here, located in Room 702 of the General Assembly Building. You can contact us by sending an e-mail to DelDMarshall@house.virginia.gov or by sending a letter to me at PO Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218-0406, or by calling 804-698-1014. Visit my website at: www.dannymarshall.com

Marshall represents the 14th House District which includes the City of Danville, Henry County and Pittsylvania County .