Over 160 Virginians offered testimony to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as part of a 6-stop listening tour to receive public input on how Virginia should respond to President Obama’s recently announced Clean Power Plan (CPP). An overwhelming proportion of commenters, 146 in all, called on DEQ to develop a plan that meets and exceeds the required greenhouse gas reductions for Virginia.
Over the three weeks of listening sessions, climate supporters, organizations, and businesses, came out to speak. Solar and energy efficiency business owners touted potential opportunities to grow their operations and hire new employees under the new rules. Housing advocates discussed how homeowners and renters could receive lower electricity bills if Virginia’s implementation plan provides incentives for homeowners to improve their energy efficiency. Climate supporters passionately drove the moral necessity for action and coastal residents from Hampton Roads offered testimony on how sea level rise is already affecting their communities.
A common theme among many testifiers was a request that DEQ design a plan that would put Virginia on a path to joining a regional carbon cap program like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This would speed along the process outlined in legislation to be introduced once again in the General Assembly as the Virginia Coastal Protection Act. By joining RGGI, Virginia would enter a 9-state cap and trade system that has a track record of reducing emissions at the fastest rate in the country. RGGI would also generate revenue for Virginia to invest in climate solutions: energy efficiency programs, job training for out-of-work coal miners, and a host of flood protection measures for Hampton Roads.
With the hearings completed, CCAN and our partners will be looking towards the 2016 General Assembly session to pass the Virginia Coastal Protection Act. With over 90% of verbal comments to DEQ calling for bold climate action, the momentum is clearly on our side.
If you’d like to get involved with our campaign please email charlie@chesapeakeclimate.org or Harrison@chesapeakeclimate.org if you’re in Hampton Roads. If you haven’t already signed our petition calling on Governor McAuliffe and the General Assembly to support the Virginia Coastal Protection Act, you can do so by clicking here.