Kaine, U.K. official seal green accord

Virginia and England's first partnership was founded on the lucrative cash crop of tobacco.

Yesterday, 400 years later, the commonwealth and the United Kingdom came together over a different kind of green.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Sir Nigel Sheinwald, the British ambassador to the United States, signed an agreement to work together to reduce greenhouse gases; research low-carbon, renewable-energy technologies; and raise public awareness on climate change.

"Virginia and the U.K. recognize that climate change is a global phenomenon and combating it requires global partnerships," said Kaine, speaking at a signing ceremony with Sheinwald at his office in the Capitol in Richmond.

"This agreement will bring together Virginia and U.K. researchers, entrepreneurs, and environmental educators to achieve greenhouse-gas reductions, promote energy efficiency and independence, and promote the development of a green economy."

The U.K. has signed similar agreements with California, Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Kaine and Sheinwald said there is good reason for the latest partnership.

Virginia provides more than $1 billion in defense industry-related goods and services to the U.K. And the 10,000 jobs created by British commerce in the state make England the largest foreign investor in Virginia's economy in terms of workers.

Sheinwald marked the day -- the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth -- by saying the agreement represents "the need to follow science and adopt in our politics a type of approach" to global climate and related economic issues that is based on science and reason.

The U.K. has become a leader in the European Union on green energy. Coal, once a mainstay of its energy generation, accounts for only 10 percent of its current energy supply.

The island nation produces more energy from offshore wind generation than any other country. Selling a green economy in the U.S. and Virginia may be tougher than in the U.K., however.

In response to a question, Kaine said he had "not seen enough to make me believe" that a proposed coal-fired plant in Surry County is necessary.

A handful of Kaine's green bills promoting tax credits and the use of alternative fuels have passed the state Senate but face an uphill battle in the House of Delegates.

Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or .