Environment Virginia’s response to Governor McAuliffe’s Climate & Clean Energy Announcement

Media Contacts
Sarah Bucci

Environment Virginia

Richmond, VA – In response to Governor Terry McAuliffe’s announcement today regarding Virginia’s plan to limit carbon pollution from power plants, Environment Virginia State Director Sarah Bucci released the following statement:

“With rising seas threatening our coast, the need to solve the climate crisis is more urgent than ever and Virginians can’t afford delay. Yet, during the 2016 General Assembly session, the Leadership in the House of Delegates slipped a climate-denying amendment into the state budget that would prevent the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality from working on Virginia’s plan to comply with the federal Clean Power Plan. The House Leadership’s ‘Climate Inaction Plan’ would mean more carbon pollution, more roadblocks to clean energy and more Virginians impacted by climate change.

“Thankfully, in today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe is showing his commitment to the Clean Power Plan’s goals once again. We applaud Governor McAuliffe for taking a strong stand in support of the Clean Power Plan in Virginia. Demand for clean energy continues to grow and, as the largest step the U.S. has ever taken to tackle global warming, the Clean Power Plan gives Virginia the chance to join with other states and local governments that are already leading the way on clean energy.

“Virginians know the time for climate action is now. Environment Virginia looks forward to working with Governor McAuliffe to craft the strongest possible state plan that cuts dangerous carbon pollution, spurs continued development of wind, solar and energy efficiency and puts Virginia on a path toward 100 percent clean, renewable power.”

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