Thank you for hearing our concerns. My name is Caroline Whitlow, and I am a student at James Madison University in the Shenandoah Valley. While I currently live in Harrisonburg, I grew up living in Virginia Beach and working on the Eastern Shore, so I have seen the impacts of climate change all around the state. I trust that Virginia's DEQ is well-versed on these issues and taking steps in the best interest of communities statewide. I spend my summers doing environmental education work on the Chesapeake Bay, and it inspires me every day when the children I work with begin to understand the complexities and importance of their ecosystem. We have the responsibility of making sure that ecosystem begins to recover by the time the next generation is ready to take charge of building a sustainable future. Let's make something that affects all of us something that we can all get behind.

I am glad to see Virginia taking steps to cut carbon pollution to combat climate change, despite Trump’s continued attacks on environmental protections. As a Virginian, I am eager to see the state produce a strong, equitable, and scientifically sound plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

I request that DEQ 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 Virginia residents benefit from any profits from carbon standards, especially front-line communities. 

• Address the disproportionate environmental burdens experienced by vulnerable communities. 

• Grow the clean energy economy by maximizing investments in zero-carbon wind, solar, and energy efficiency. 

• Provide accessible public hearing opportunities in the evenings in multiple parts of the state to ensure all concerned Virginians can fully participate in the rule-making process.

(Re: 9VAC5-140, Regulation for Emissions Trading Programs)

(NOIRA Stage: Reduce and Cap Carbon Dioxide from Fossil Fuel Fired Electric Power Generating Facilities (Rev. C17))