As the General Assembly put a focus on the environment this session, a new member of the Senate emerged to urge legislators to go green.

J. Chapman "Chap" Petersen, a Democrat from Fairfax, was elected in November to represent the 34th Senate District. According to his Web site, the election had the "highest turnout of any 2007 contest in Fairfax Country and was the most expensive legislative race in Virginia history."

While this is Petersen's first year as senator, he is no stranger to the General Assembly: He was elected to the House of Delegates in 2001 and held that position for four years.

"The House is a bigger entity, while the Senate is smaller and quieter," Petersen said.  "I probably had more fun in the House, but I am able to get more done being a part of the Senate."

One bill Petersen sponsored was Senate Bill 445, which was continued to the 2009 legislative session. If passed, the bill "increases the state motor fuel tax $.01 per gallon with the revenues deposited into the Biofuels Production Fund to fund grants for biofuels production," according to the Legislative Information System.

Biofuels are plants that can be burned for energy as an alternative to petroleum. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a renewable gas made from corn can decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 percent compared with gasoline.

Another of Petersen's green bills is SB 448, which encourages tree preservation by local governments. The bill requires that site plans for developments include the preservation or replacement of any tress affected.  SB 448 is a way for localities to improve air quality during development.

"I'd like to see us reach a balance in terms of our use of resources and ability to restore resources," Petersen said.  "For example, as we're developing new housing, we're replanting the trees pulled up for the projects."

While Petersen's bill did not get approved this session, SB 710, a similar proposal, did pass the legislative process and has been signed into law by Gov. Tim Kaine.

Petersen also said while striving to preserve nature, open space and wild life are areas he likes to focus on, the most important aspect to him is getting clean energy from renewable energy sources.

"The three biggest issues I'd like to see tackled are clean energy focus act, tree and open space preservation, and wildlife preservation and restoration," Petersen said.

This session, he put in SB 446, requiring energy companies to generate at least 20 percent of energy sold through renewable energy sources.  The bill was defeated on a 3-12 vote by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

House Bill 1228, which Kaine signed into law, is a step toward the goals Petersen wanted from SB 446.  It requires investor-owned electric utility companies in Virginia to include an insert with their bills describing the availability and options of buying energy from 100 percent renewable energy sources.

"I think this bill is fine; my bill had an actual mandate and was more aggressive," Petersen said.  "But I think if people are made aware of the option, they will sign up for it."

Petersen was appointed to the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, dealing with environment-related legislation. He also was on the Transportation, General Laws and Technology, and Privileges and Elections committees.

Outside the Capitol, Petersen has been an attorney in a private practice since 1994. He is licensed in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Sharon Kim Petersen, his wife, is also a licensed Virginia attorney.

Petersen admitted that he is not the "greenest" citizen outside the Capitol, but he said he does everything he can to help the green movement.  He said he continues to live in a relatively small house and maintains a conservative household when it comes to resources.

"Now, I haven't gone and torn my house down in an attempt to have a fully environmentally friendly home, but we cut back where we can and value and save the resources we already have," Petersen said.

This story is courtesy of Capital News Service, a flagship program of the VCU School of Mass Communications. Students participating in the program provide state government coverage for Virginia's community newspapers, under the supervision of associate professor Jeff South. CNS operates as a three-credit course during spring semesters, when the General Assembly is in session. Each CNS student is assigned to serve one or more client newspapers. Students must devote substantial time outside class to CNS -- at least 10 hours a week.