In the face of devastating effects of climate change, Virginia must pledge to cap the electricity sector’s carbon dioxide emissions and join the network of states working together to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Putting a cost on carbon pollution at the state level will be the most effective way for Virginia to reduce emissions and curb the effects of the climate crisis. We don't have many years left to ameliorate the effects of emissions on our state.

The widespread effects of the climate crisis and carbon dioxide emissions, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, air and water pollution, and ocean acidification will hurt businesses, communities, and our economy. We can see this already in the rising waters in the Tidewater area and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the significant pollution of water sources by coal ash pond use, and the air pollution from increasing fossil fuel burning in our state. 

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions will also have significant health benefits for Virginians, while maintaining important economic and social considerations.

Not only will the carbon cap make corporations who pollute pay at the source, it will reward those companies who are working hard to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

I support Virginia reducing and capping carbon emissions with the action “Reduce and Cap Carbon Dioxide from Fossil Fuel Fired Electric Power Generating Facilities (Rev. C17)” as written.