Commonwealth Climate Futures
State and Local Policies for a Sustainable Virginia
The +Policy Network at Virginia Tech and The Town of Blacksburg present:
A one-day symposium bringing together Virginia Tech and Blacksburg community members, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the Commonwealth to explore climate policies and opportunities for public participation in light of an evolving federal landscape.
our goal
To discuss and inform state and local climate-related policies, including examining Virginia’s policy landscape, the roles of community members and other actors, and the regulatory and rule-making processes, while promoting informed citizen involvement.
Program Schedule
Commonwealth Climate Futures Symposium
Session I
The Climate and Policy Context
10:00–11:30 AM
Moderator: TBD
Speakers:
- Carol Franco (Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech) – Global state of climate and policy (remote from COP 30, Brazil)
- Daniel Breslau (Science,Technology and Society, Virginia Tech) – Tracking the Federal policy reversal
- Julie Shortridge (Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech) – Climate and food security nexus
Audience Q&A
Break (10 min)
Session II
Virginia Policy Download
11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Keynote: Ivy Main – Understanding the history and current context of the Virginia energy policy landscape
Audience Q&A
Lunch (12:30–1:30 PM)
Session III
Stepping Up at the State, Regional, and Local Levels
01:30 PM-3:00 PM
Moderator: TBD
Speakers:
- Sam Rasoul (Virginia House of Delegates) – Legislating for Climate Action in Virginia
- Carol Davis (Sustainability Manager, Town of Blacksburg) – Local sustainability update VT Sustainability Update
- Rachael Budowle, Virginia Tech Honors College
- Sean McGinnis, Virginia Tech Green Engineering Program – Virginia Tech’s Climate Action Commitment
Audience Q&A
Breakout Sessions
3:00 PM–4:30 PM
01
Citizen Activism in Southwest Virginia
Emma Kelly (Appalachian Voices)
02
The Legislative Process in Virginia
Ivy Main (Independent Journalist and clean Energy Advocate)
03
Regulatory Action and Engagement
Bill Eger (The Founder of ETHOS)
04
Community & Campus Collaboration
Todd Schenk, Sean McGinnis and Rachael Budowle from VT and Carol Davis (Town of Blacksburg)
Speakers
Meet our panelists
Dr. Carol Franco is a Senior Research Faculty in Virginia Tech’s Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation and an ecological economist specializing in climate change adaptation and mitigation. She has served as a review editor for the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report and has been part of the Dominican Republic’s delegation to the UNFCCC since 2012, contributing to negotiations on REDD+, climate finance, and agricultural adaptation. Dr. Franco has supported climate strategies and NDCs across Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on ecosystem services, food security, and sustainable development.
Carol Franco
Climate policy researcher and COP delegate
Dr. Daniel Breslau is an Associate Professor of the Department of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech. His work bridges economic sociology and STS, with a focus on the politics of electricity markets and the challenges of climate and energy transition. He has published widely on the history and sociology of the social sciences and their role in shaping modern institutions.
dbreslau@vt.edu
Daniel Breslau
Associate Professor, Department of Science, Technology and Society, VT
Dr. Julie Shortridge is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. Her research aims to understand how climate change and extreme weather are impacting food and water supply systems, and how technical, educational, and policy solutions can help address these impacts. Before academia, she worked as an engineer on groundwater remediation and as a consultant for the United Nations Environment Program on disaster preparedness.
jshortridge@vt.edu
Julie Shortridge
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, VT
Ivy Main is an energy consultant, lawyer, and writer dedicated to accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. She has over a decade of experience in energy policy and communications, with leadership roles in major environmental organizations. Her background spans environmental law, litigation, policy analysis, and public advocacy, making her a leading voice in Virginia’s clean energy movement.
eifionamain@gmail.com
Ivy Main
Independent journalist and clean energy advocate
Sam Rasoul is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 38th District since 2014. He serves as the Democratic Caucus Vice Chair for Campaigns and has been an advocate for government transparency, healthcare access, and environmental sustainability. A Roanoke native, Rasoul has focused on policies that strengthen communities, promote renewable energy, and support climate action in Virginia.
DelSRasoul@house.virginia.gov
Sam Rasoul
Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates
Carol Davis is the Sustainability Manager for the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia. In this role, she works on a broad range of sustainability issues, including: climate mitigation, adaptation and resiliency planning; alternative transportation; land use policies that advance green building and affordable housing; local and state energy policy; aging-in-place; water quality; and stewardship of public lands.
cdavis@blakcsburg.gov
Carol Davis
Sustainability Manager, Town of Blacksburg
Dr. Todd Schenk is the Chair and an Associate Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning, Director of Science, Technology & Engineering in Policy Program, and Affiliated Faculty: Global Change Center (GCC), Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) & Fralin Life Sciences Institute.
tschenk@vt.edu
Todd Schenk
Associate Professor, Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning Program, Virginia Tech
Bill Eger is the Founder of ETHOS Sustainability, advancing organizations’ strategic energy transition initiatives. Previously, he held energy and climate leadership roles with Arlington County, Alexandria, and Cleveland (OH). His leadership included utility and regulatory engagement across numerous electric, natural gas, and water utility cases. A founding member of the PJM Cities and Communities Coalition, Bill continues to help organizations and communities strengthen their utility and regulatory engagement strategies.
Bill Eger
The Founder of ETHOS
Emma Kelly is a cultural anthropologist and community organizer from Bell County, Kentucky, with a focus on human rights and environmental justice in Appalachia. She has worked in community outreach and education roles with the University of Tennessee, Natural Tunnel State Park, and the Register of Professional Archaeologists. At Appalachian Voices, her work centers on equitable collaboration with local communities, advancing sustainability, and securing resources to support grassroots visions for resilience.
Emma Kelly
Program Manager, Appalachian Voices
Dr. Rachael Budowle is a Collegiate Associate Professor in the Virginia Tech Honors College. As an anthropologist, her work includes community-university partnerships and student engagement for sustainability and climate action. She serves on the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment (CAC) Climate Action Living Laboratory and Climate Justice subcommittees and CAC 5-year Assessment Working Group.
Rachael Budowle
Collegiate Associate Professor, Virginia Tech Honors College
Dr. Sean McGinnis is a Professor of Practice in the Virginia Tech College of Engineering. He is also the director of the Green Engineering Program which strives to teach students skills to analyze and balance environmental impacts across the entire life cycle of engineering design and implementation with consideration of the triple bottom line. He has been a key contributor in the development and assessment of the VT Climate Action Commitment (CAC) and has led the annual analysis of the VT Campus Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory in recent years.
Sean McGinnis
Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech College of Engineering
Why
Why attend?
This event brings together experts, policymakers, and community leaders to address urgent climate and sustainability challenges. Attendees will gain insights into policies from the global to the local level. Panels will feature thought leaders and participants will have opportunities to engage in conversations around policy processes, community resilience and sustainable futures. Interactive breakout sessions will connect attendees to avenues for involvement. This event is an opportunity to connect, learn, and discuss policy responses alongside others committed to shaping Virginia’s future.
Learn
Learn from experts on climate policy, sustainability, and effective community action.
Engage
Engage directly with elected officials, researchers, and local leaders.
Collaborate
Collaborate in breakout sessions to explore policy alternatives
Connect
Connect with others passionate about shaping Virginia’s climate future.
Logistics & Venue
Venue: Squires Student Center at Virginia Tech
The event will be held at Squires Student Center on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, VA. Located in the heart of campus, Squires offers accessible facilities for both large sessions and smaller breakout discussions. Attendees will be within walking distance of campus amenities, dining, and parking.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Daniel Breslau at dbreslau@vt.eu at least 10 days prior to the event.
Commonwealth Ballroom for keynotes & panels
Four breakout rooms for workshops
Accessible location, close to campus amenities
Lunch and coffee/tea provided
Supporters
- College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech
- Town of Blacksburg Office of Sustainability
- Department of Science, Technology & Society, Virginia Tech
- Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment, Virginia Tech
- Outreach and International Affairs, Virginia Tech
- Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning Program, Virginia Tech
Join the event
Save your spot today!
Register here
In keeping with Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community, we affirm the right of each person to express thoughts and opinions freely. We encourage open expression within a climate of civility, sensitivity, and mutual respect. We reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination. We look to all participants in this event to partner with us in these commitments. For more information: https://www.vt.edu/principles-of-community.html
Organizers
Hosted by The +Policy Network at Virginia Tech and The Town of Blacksburg
Coordinated in collaboration with:
01.
Dr. Daniel Breslau
Associate Professor, Department of Science, Technology and Society, Virginia Tech
02.
Carol Davis
Sustainability Manager, Town of Blacksburg
03.
Dr. Todd Schenk
Associate Professor, School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech
04.
Ariyan Nazemi
Ph.D. Student, Department of Science, Technology and Society, Virginia Tech