Dear Department of Environmental Quality:

I support Governor McAuliffe's leadership in the fight against climate change. But our work does not stop here. I call on the Department of Environmental Quality to use its authority to:

• Create a rule based on the strongest available science that significantly reduces carbon pollution from Virginia's power plants
• Ensure that Virginians — not utilities — benefit from any profits from carbon regulations
• Help reduce the burden on vulnerable communities that are disproportionally impacted by the climate crisis
• Transition Virginia to a clean energy economy by investing in wind and solar power and energy efficiency

Virginia is already seeing the devastating effects of climate change, from debilitating drought and extreme heat waves to dangerous flooding due to sea levels rising in places like Hampton Roads — home to the world's largest naval base.

It's time for Virginia to step up as a leader on climate action. I will stand with the governor and the Department of Environmental Quality every step of the way in implementing this visionary plan to cap carbon pollution and expand our clean energy economy. Thank you.

In addition to pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, President Trump is trying to slash the EPA's budget, dismantle the Clean Power Plan, ramp up oil and gas drilling across our public lands and off our coasts and roll back our clean energy future — all to benefit his fossil fuel allies.