Climate change is the most critical long-term threat to the economic and social health of Virginians, and we have seen that action at the state level can lead to meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Effective, market-based solutions require a way to “price” carbon emissions and to increase the cost of those pollutants over time.

I support setting the strongest possible standard to cut Virginia emissions from power plants through participation in a carbon market. This is a critically important step toward carbon pollution reductions.

I request that DEQ use its authority to adopt and implement a final standard that:

• Caps and reduces carbon pollution as rapidly as possible, beginning as soon as possible. The 2020 base year emissions cap should be between 30 and 32 million tons.

• Covers carbon pollution from biomass facilities, which can be more climate polluting than fossil fuel power plants.

• Sets the expectation of continued annual carbon pollution reductions in Virginia after 2030.

• Closely monitors implementation in order to respond to instances of disproportionate environmental burdens experienced by any communities, particularly low-income and vulnerable communities that have traditionally borne the brunt of pollution.

We know that these actions will work, and we have a responsibility to future generations to implement them as quickly as possible.