I am glad to see Virginia taking steps to cut carbon pollution to combat climate change, despite Trump’s continued attacks on environmental protections. As a Virginian, I am eager to see the state produce a strong, equitable, and scientifically sound plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

I request that DEQ use its authority to:
• Create a rule based on the strongest available science that significantly reduces carbon pollution from Virginia’s power plants.
• Ensure that Virginia residents benefit from any profits from carbon standards, especially front-line communities.
• Address the disproportionate environmental burdens experienced by vulnerable communities.
• Grow the clean energy economy by maximizing investments in zero-carbon wind, solar, and energy efficiency.
• Provide accessible public hearing opportunities in the evenings in multiple parts of the state to ensure all concerned Virginians can fully participate in the rule-making process.

(Re: 9VAC5-140, Regulation for Emissions Trading Programs)
(NOIRA Stage: Reduce and Cap Carbon Dioxide from Fossil Fuel Fired Electric Power Generating Facilities (Rev. C17))

In addition, I request that the Virginia DEQ consider the necessity of future natural gas (or other) pipelines, especially the proposed Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines, the impact that these projects would have on the surrounding communities, icluding that resulting from decreased property values, inability to continue farming land within the pipeline corridor due to use of eminent domain of a private for-profit entity, and danger to households within the blast zone, and put the health of the people of Virginia ahead of the limited liability corporations behind these projects. I wholly admire Virginia's efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions and become a leader in clean energy. I hope that after evaluating our state's goals it will realize that building more pipelines is not the way forward.