I am very concerned about the threats to Virginia posed by rapid global climate change. It is clear to me that we must keep warming well below 2 degrees Celsius to maintain a habitable Earth. Out of control greenhouse gas emissions are already causing harm to human and environmental health, and will continue to drive sea level rise, ocean acidification and violent weather extremes. All levels of government must act on climate immediately in order to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

I support setting the strongest possible standard to cut Virginia emissions from power plants through participation in a carbon market.

I want Virginia to rapidly reduce the carbon pollution we generate. We should certainly not allow construction of either the Mountain Valley or Atlantic Coast fracked gas pipelines if we hope to be successful in reducing our ghg emissions quickly.

I want the DEQ to 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 no less than 32 million tons.
Covers carbon pollution from biomass facilities, since recent scientific studies confirm that burning wood not only destroys our forests but is also 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 prevent instances of disproportionate environmental burdens experienced by any communities, particularly low-income and vulnerable communities that have traditionally been subject to environmental injustice.

Thank you for taking action to urgently reduce Virginia's contribution to rapidly rising levels of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases.