Anita Kumar of the Washington Post blogs:

Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) has purchased "carbon offsets to neutralize the carbon footprint" of the Virginia delegation while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week.

A carbon footprint measures the affect human activity has on the environment through greenhouse gases. Moran, who is not a delegate but will be attending the convention, purchased carbon offsets that will be invested in renewable energy through Native Energy.

"Democrats have a long track record as champions of our environment," Moran said. "Leaving a clean and healthy world for the next generation is both a moral obligation and an economic necessity. It's important we show our commitment to this cause with both our words and our actions."

The Virginia delegation will produce approximately 115 tons of carbon-based pollution from air and ground travel, accommodations and waste, according to national Democratic officials.

Delegates have already offset 44 of those tons. Moran's offset includes his own carbon impact.

Raising Kaine has more and you can read the full press release here.

The Martinsville Bulletin gave extensive coverage to Brian's recent visit to their city. Here is an excerpt:

Moran said he has been to Southside in good times and bad. On the good side, Moran said, he attended the opening of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

On the other side, he was with Del. Ward Armstrong (D-Collinsville, who is now House minority leader), after Tultex closed in 2000, putting nearly 2,500 area residents out of work.

“I was very touched ... when Tultex left,” he said, noting that “we did our best in responding” to workers’ needs.

Prompted by Tultex workers who lost their jobs, Armstrong was author and Moran was co-patron (or co-author) of the Textile Workers Relief Act, which was introduced in the 2000 General Assembly session, said Jesse Ferguson, Moran’s communications director. Then-governor Jim Gilmore, a Republican who now is running for U.S. Senate, vetoed the act. It would have increased unemployment benefits and extended health care insurance for a year for anyone who lost a job due to a plant closing related to the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA).

Moran said Monday that people want to work and provide for their families, and there should be opportunities for them to do that.

Brian joined former Governor Mark Warner and hundreds of steelworkers from the Newport News Shipyard to support the members of the United Steelworkers Local 888 as they fight for higher wages, better pensions and an upgraded healthcare plan. From the Daily Press:

Brian spoke in support of the workers and their contract negotiations. He pointed out that the rising cost of gas and groceries was putting the squeeze on middle class families already having a tough times making ends meet. Local 8888 members build the ships that stand on the font-lines of our national defense and they deserve pay and benefits that match their commitment to our nation.

Delegate Moran recently toured the Shipyard facility.

Thanks to Dan Duncan for the photograph.