As a retired family practice physician who was responsible for improving the health of my patients and my community, I want to express my support in setting the strongest possible standard to cut Virginia emissions from power plants through participation in a carbon market. This is a critically important step toward carbon pollution reductions which will improve the health of all Virginians. 

I support the revised, lower base year emission cap and appreciate that the Department of Environmental Quality included environmental justice as a consideration with regards to program evaluation and monitoring.  A five year study of public health benefits among states that participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative found that the reduction in air pollution resulted in the avoidance of hundreds of heart attacks and premature deaths and thousands of asthma exacerbations.  

I look forward to the finalization of these important regulations and your efforts to set the strongest possible standards so that my patients and all Virginians can lead healthier lives for generations to come.