Our changing world climate is affecting Virginia and the health, safety and welfare of residents and our economy. Virginia can't stick its head in the sand but needs to lead localities around the Commonwealth to action that protects our communities from the worst of the potential damage that is on the horizon. Business as usual won't cut it!

Virginia residents need:

• A carbon market that supports having the highest air emissions standards possible from power plants

To accomplish that, DEQ should use its authority to adopt and implement a final standard that:

• Caps and reduces carbon pollution as soon and as fast as possible. Specifically in the 2020 base year emissions cap should be between 30 and 32 million tons
• Includes carbon pollution from biomass facilities
• Provides for continued annual carbon pollution reduction after 2030.
• Ensures that no community bears a disproportionate environmental burden--specifically low income, vulnerable and minority communities that have paid a much higher price in their health and safety resulting from nearby environmental pollutants.

Thank you for your consideration.