Virginia Lawmakers Affirm Critical Legislation on Conservation, Clean Water

Virginians will see new protections against “forever chemicals,” bolstered climate resilience, and new funding for efforts like flood prevention—but still await a final budget—after lawmakers this week formally acted on Governor Abigail Spanberger’s proposed amendments to and vetoes of legislation passed during the 2026 legislative session..

Governor Spanberger this month signed into law a number of bills on topics ranging from chemical pollution to wetlands protection that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation supported during the 2026 session. Those include:

• PFAS. Measures the governor signed into law ahead of the reconvened session include bills that will require sewage sludge used in fertilizer to be tested for PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” and banned if they test positive for certain thresholds, will require wastewater treatment plants to monitor PFAS, and will allow localities to test for PFAS in biosolids.
  
  It is now up to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and other agencies to implement and enforce measures like these.
  
  Lawmakers and the general public also need to stay vigilant: the Virginia Department of Health just this month issued a fish consumption advisory for the Occoquan watershed due to elevated PFAS levels in certain fish species like largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish.
• RGGI. The governor this month signed a measure that ensures a swift re-entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional carbon trading program for power plants that generates revenue used for priorities like flood preparedness that former Governor Glenn Youngkin exited in 2023.
  
  Commonwealth officials are currently working to formally re-join the group in the coming months. Virginia could rejoin quarterly auctions, which generate proceeds from participating states from emissions allowances purchased by power plants, later this year.
  
  RGGI has been a vital source of funding for priorities like flood preparedness and energy efficiency for low-income residents. CBF will closely monitor the Commonwealth’s return to the program after its unfortunate – and legally dubious – exit during the previous administration.

Unfortunately, the biennial budget process has been delayed, putting key investments into clean water priorities at risk. We are urging lawmakers to include sufficient funding for the following items, among others:

• Menhaden. CBF supports including funding for long-overdue research into the menhaden population in the Chesapeake Bay amid intensifying warning signs and the high amount of harvest from the industrial fishery. Virginia has put off this research for nearly three years amid industry delay tactics. Atlantic menhaden are a critical food source for a variety of species including striped bass, redfish, humpback whales, and birds like osprey and bald eagles. Their abundance directly affects commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities.

• Wastewater treatment plant funding. These investments that have enabled ongoing modernization of wastewater treatment plants have greatly reduced pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Virginia Conservation Assistance Program. VCAP helps private property owners and community groups install a host of conservation that cut stormwater pollution.

• Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share Program. The Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share Program helps farmers install projects that reduce pollution to local waterways and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

• Community forestry. CBF urges lawmakers to include funding for two community forestry positions within the Department of Forestry. Federal funding cuts have threatened Virginia’s Urban and Community Forestry program, which administers grants, provides expertise, and supports community efforts to plant and protect trees.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Policy Manager Jay Ford issued the following statement:

“Virginia’s elected leaders notched major wins during the 2026 session on cutting down toxic pollution in our waterways and bolstering climate resilience, but now comes the heavy lifting.

“On PFAS, we must ensure that DEQ and other state agencies properly implement and enforce the new regulations on the books. Virginia must continue to strengthen the law to keep the harmful chemicals out of our fertilizer and waterways.

“On RGGI, Virginia must ensure that the Commonwealth is getting its fair share from quarterly allowance auctions – and that the proceeds are directed where they are needed most for efforts like making homes more energy efficient and steeling communities against flood risk.

“Lawmakers also have a tremendous opportunity, through the biennial budget, to include new investments in priorities like menhaden research, wastewater treatment, and conservation programs. Investing in these now will be good for the economy and our public health, and will help protect what we all love about the Commonwealth over the next two years and beyond.”